Workforce needs for endovascular neurosurgery.

Abstract

During the past decade, endovascular techniques and clinical experience have matured to the point that all or a significant part of the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, cerebral aneurysms, brachiocephalic occlusive disease, and arteriovenous fistulae or malformations is performed in angiography suites by neuroradiologists, vascular surgeons, peripheral interventionists, cardiologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons worldwide. With improvements in technology and lower morbidity rates, the scope of endovascular techniques will only increase. Currently, in the United States alone, this amounts to a volume of more than 500,000 patients annually. Neurosurgeons currently provide only a small portion of the care of these patients. The workforce needs for endovascular surgeons in neurosurgery will be determined by the patients, the willingness of neurosurgeons to embrace endovascular techniques, and the broad scope of cerebrovascular disorders that can be treated.