Impact of transport modality on time to endovascular thrombectomy

Abstract Background and purpose Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a time-critical treatment for acute ischemic stroke; however, timely access to comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs) is often limited by distance. Regional variations in prehospital transport strategies, particularly Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) use, exist in Sweden, which may contribute to inequities in care. This study analyzed how transport modality affected the time to EVT for rural patients across two large Swedish regions with differing transport strategies. Methods A retrospective registry-based study was performed, using comprehensive stroke registries and ambulance records from 2018 to 2022. All patients who underwent EVT in two healthcare regions (Västra Götaland and Southeastern healthcare regions) were included. The primary analysis focused on those located ≥ 50 km from the CSC. The main outcome was the time from emergency medical service (EMS) dispatching to EVT start. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of receiving EVT within 180 min. Results Among the 1,222 patients, 623 (51%) were ≥ 50 km from a CSC. Direct CSC transfer and HEMS use were more frequent in Västra Götaland compared to the Southeastern region (52.0% vs. 28.4% and 8.9% vs. 0.9%, respectively; P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). For patients ≥ 50 km away, HEMS transport yielded a shorter median dispatch-to-EVT time than ground transport (224.2 vs 287.5 min; P < 0.001). After adjusting for distance, HEMS was associated with a 3.6-fold higher likelihood of EVT within 180 min (OR 3.6 95% CI 1.6–7.8, P = 0.001). Conclusions Geographical distance significantly delays time to EVT. Use of HEMS markedly shortens transport time leading to timelier EVT for patients with long distances to CSC and has the potential to mitigate regional disparities. Integrating HEMS into stroke transport protocols is essential to ensure timely and equitable EVT access for rural patients.