Background: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has recently emerged as an effective technique to treat subdural hematomas (SDHs). Studies to date have been limited, largely, to single-center studies with limited follow-up and have not assessed subsequent surgical interventions and factors associated with these interventions.
Objective: To evaluate rates of retreatment for SDH after MMA embolization and patient-specific factors that may be important predictors for these interventions.
Methods: Using an all-payer claims database, Mariner, patients who underwent MMA embolization between January 2010 and October 2020 after the diagnosis of SDH were identified. Rates of post-MMA embolization surgical interventions, including craniotomy and burr hole drainage, were accessed within 5 years following. Patient-specific contributors to the rates of these interventions were studied using Gaussian logistic regression models.
Results: A total of 322 patients were included. Of this cohort, 55 (17.1%) required subsequent intervention within 5 years, with 36 (11.2%) receiving burr hole evacuation and 19 (5.9%) receiving craniotomy. Factor Xa inhibitor use was independently associated with subsequent interventions after MMA embolization procedures (odds ratio: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.02-1.40]). Of the other patient factors evaluated, including age, sex, comorbidity status, and use of vitamin K antagonists, antiplatelets, and factor Xa inhibitors, none were found to be significantly associated with future interventions.
Conclusion: Although previous literature has shown MMA embolization to be safe and successful in preventing recurrent SDH, patients undergoing this procedure still carry a risk of future interventions. Patients taking factor Xa inhibitors are at especially high risk of subsequent intervention after MMA embolization.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04095819.
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