[Financial analysis of intraarterial procedures in acute stroke].
BACKGROUND
Since the most decisive factor related to the cost of stroke is disability, any acute phase intervention to reduce disability will probably be cost-effective. The present acute stroke phase analysis is the first cost-benefit study on intraarterial procedures in acute stroke phase.


METHODS
Case-control study focusing on the cost of stroke including acute stroke patients subjected to interventionism in Hospital Virgen del Rocío in 2003-2004 was conducted. The data obtained was subsequently extrapolated to the number of patients who would have been treated if intraarterial procedures could be performed on a 24 hour-day basis.


RESULTS
32 patients were treated in 2003-2004. Direct cost (devices and human resources) of each treated patient was 10,502 euros and global saving in hospital stay and rehabilitation was 11,069 euros, resulting in 567 euros net saving per patient. Nevertheless, 92 patients would have been treated if intraarterial procedures could have been performed on a 24 hour-day basis, resulting in better financial results with 5,792 saving for each treated patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Intracraneal procedures in acute stroke has been shown to be cost-effective since cost of material and human resources is greatly exceeded by the saving in hospitalization and rehabilitation as a result of reduction in patient disability.
Martínez-Fernández
E
E
Servicio de Neurología. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain. emartinezf@ya.com
Gil-Peralta
A
A
González
A
A
González Marcos
J R
JR
Mayol Deyá
A
A
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome