Rising tide of middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas: current volumes and future growth compared with cerebral aneurysm and stroke interventions.

backgroundTo estimate the current number of middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) procedures for subdural hematomas (SDH) and project growth compared with endovascular treatments for cerebral aneurysms and acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

methodsEstimates of SDH admissions were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample and Medicare Inpatient 100% Standard Analytic Files for 2019-23. MMAE volumes (2019-23) were estimated by cross referencing international classification of diseases, 10th revision, clinical modification (ICD-10 CM) codes for non-acute, non-traumatic SDH with ICD-10 procedure coding system (ICD-10 PCS) codes for surgical and endovascular interventions during the same admission to approximate MMAE volumes. These estimates were compared with volumes of endovascular cerebral aneurysm and AIS treatments, with projections based on historical growth rates.

resultsMMAE procedures increased significantly, from 4014 in 2019 to 20 836 in 2023, representing a 51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). In comparison, endovascular aneurysm treatments grew from 34 754 to 42 491 (5% CAGR) and AIS procedures from 34 451 to 44 822 (7% CAGR). In the next 5 years, MMAE is projected to surpass other neurovascular procedures, with an estimated 79 483 procedures, compared with 79 405 for AIS and 56 942 for aneurysms, by 2029. Annual SDH admissions remained steady at just over 200 000 from 2019 to 2022, with most (~66%) managed medically. Only an estimated 2% of SDH admissions received an MMAE procedure in 2019, rising to 8% in 2022.

conclusionMMAE procedures have seen rapid adoption and may become the dominant neurovascular intervention, with potential implications for healthcare infrastructure and workforce planning.