The thrombo-aspiration catheter can dislodge a clot that would block a cerebral artery. Since last week, deprived of reimbursement from the State, it is now entirely at the expense of hospitals.
Health specialists denounce an “incomprehensible decision”. Since March 1, thrombo-aspiration catheters, used in hospitals for the management of strokes, are no longer covered by social security.
“Mechanical thrombectomy has nevertheless demonstrated, in France and around the world, its effectiveness in reducing the mortality and disabilities of stroke victims”, retorts in a press release the Rothschild Foundation Hospital.
“Significant progress”
Used since 2015 in France, the thrombo-aspiration catheter is introduced in the groin – which goes up to the brain – when the stroke is due to a cerebral artery blocked by a large clot. It then helps to dislodge this clot. To be effective, the procedure must be performed within six hours of the first symptoms.
“These therapeutic advances have allowed significant advances”, abounds the French Society of Neuroradiology and the French Neurovascular Society in a letter to the Minister of Health.
Deprived of reimbursement from the State, thrombo-aspiration catheters are now the sole responsibility of hospitals.
A hindrance to development
In his press release, Julien Gottsmann, general manager of the Rothschild Foundation Hospital, estimates that this decision represents “a dead loss of 450,000 euros” for his establishment. Indeed, the average price of a catheter – for single use – is around 1500 euros.
“Every thrombectomy performed in interventional neuroradiology will now cost hospitals money,” he laments.
What professionals fear is the limitation of the use of this device “which has become the reference indication in treatment” and also the brake on its establishment in new territories. Indeed, for the time being, there are only 38 mechanical thrombectomy centers in France.
A “financial penalty”
“Once again, the public hospital and its actors will have to bear the financial weight of innovative techniques that bring significant improvements in the service provided to our compatriots”, denounce the French Society of Neuroradiology and the French Neurovascular Society.
For the Rothschild Foundation hospital, this “financial sanction (…) is in total opposition to the commitment made by the Minister of Health to ‘turn your back on accounting logic’ in the regulation of our health system” .
They point out in particular the inconsistency of the decision in the face, for example, of the opinion of the HAS which has recommended since 2018 to extend the use of these catheters on the territory, reports France Info.
In France, a person has a stroke every four minutes. It is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults and of mortality in women.
Contacted, the Ministry of Health did not respond to our requests.