Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025

Abstract Background Neurovascular networks (NVNs) in Germany are supra-regional care structures for patients with neurovascular diseases. Each NVN consists of a tertiary care center serving as the coordinating center—in some cases, two or three coordinating centers—and at least three partner hospita...

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Main Authors: Tobias A. Wagner-Altendorf, Konrad Sieb, Ansgar Berlis, Arnd Dörfler, Dorothee Mielke, Christoph Groden, Erdem Güresir, Gerhard F. Hamann, Olav Jansen, Jürgen Meixensberger, Oliver Müller, Darius G. Nabavi, Tobias Neumann-Haefelin, Martin Ossenbrink, Jan Regelsberger, Georg Royl, Hartmut Vatter, Werner Weber, Nils Werring, Jens Minnerup, Joachim Röther
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Neurological Research and Practice
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-025-00418-8
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author Tobias A. Wagner-Altendorf
Konrad Sieb
Ansgar Berlis
Arnd Dörfler
Dorothee Mielke
Christoph Groden
Erdem Güresir
Gerhard F. Hamann
Olav Jansen
Jürgen Meixensberger
Oliver Müller
Darius G. Nabavi
Tobias Neumann-Haefelin
Martin Ossenbrink
Jan Regelsberger
Georg Royl
Hartmut Vatter
Werner Weber
Nils Werring
Jens Minnerup
Joachim Röther
author_facet Tobias A. Wagner-Altendorf
Konrad Sieb
Ansgar Berlis
Arnd Dörfler
Dorothee Mielke
Christoph Groden
Erdem Güresir
Gerhard F. Hamann
Olav Jansen
Jürgen Meixensberger
Oliver Müller
Darius G. Nabavi
Tobias Neumann-Haefelin
Martin Ossenbrink
Jan Regelsberger
Georg Royl
Hartmut Vatter
Werner Weber
Nils Werring
Jens Minnerup
Joachim Röther
author_sort Tobias A. Wagner-Altendorf
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Neurovascular networks (NVNs) in Germany are supra-regional care structures for patients with neurovascular diseases. Each NVN consists of a tertiary care center serving as the coordinating center—in some cases, two or three coordinating centers—and at least three partner hospitals. Since 2018, 19 neurovascular networks (NVNs) have been audited and certified. NVNs play a crucial role in stroke care in Germany, as first described and quantified in 2020. Methods The present article provides an update on interdisciplinary NVNs in Germany and outlines recent developments in neurovascular patient care. Audit reports from 19 NVNs, certified between 2021 and 2024, were analyzed, and compared to previously reported data from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, structural and quality-related parameters for coordinating centers and partner hospitals were compared. Results The number of NVNs increased from 15 to 19, with approximately 120,000 from an estimated 262,000 neurovascular patients in Germany now treated annually in certified NVN hospitals. In particular, annual thrombectomy rates at coordinating centers have increased over-proportionally (> 4400, as compared to previously < 2500), and surgical treatments for intracerebral hemorrhages have also increased. Process times—door-to-needle and door-to-groin times—remained stable or exhibited slight increases. Substantial variability was observed among NVN partner hospitals regarding procedural volumes. Conclusions The treatment of patients with neurovascular diseases in Germany has expanded considerably within certified NVN hospitals in recent years. The NVNs ensure comprehensive, high-quality stroke care nationwide.
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spelling doaj-art-71a3ce7e859f4c70b6f1b4867d7a67c32025-08-24T12:02:29ZengBMCNeurological Research and Practice2524-34892025-08-01711810.1186/s42466-025-00418-8Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025Tobias A. Wagner-Altendorf0Konrad Sieb1Ansgar Berlis2Arnd Dörfler3Dorothee Mielke4Christoph Groden5Erdem Güresir6Gerhard F. Hamann7Olav Jansen8Jürgen Meixensberger9Oliver Müller10Darius G. Nabavi11Tobias Neumann-Haefelin12Martin Ossenbrink13Jan Regelsberger14Georg Royl15Hartmut Vatter16Werner Weber17Nils Werring18Jens Minnerup19Joachim Röther20Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital AugsburgDepartment of Neuroradiology, Friedrich‑Alexander University of Erlangen‑Nuremberg, University Hospital ErlangenDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital AugsburgDepartment of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of HeidelbergDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital LeipzigDepartment of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Günzburg HospitalDepartment of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital LeipzigDepartment of Neurosurgery, Dortmund HospitalDepartment of Neurology, Vivantes Klinikum NeuköllnDepartment of Neurology, Fulda HospitalLGA InterCert GmbH, TÜV Rheinland GroupDepartment of Neurosurgery, Diako Krankenhaus FlensburgDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Knappschaft Kliniken University HospitalDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinDepartment of Neurology, Asklepios Hospital AltonaAbstract Background Neurovascular networks (NVNs) in Germany are supra-regional care structures for patients with neurovascular diseases. Each NVN consists of a tertiary care center serving as the coordinating center—in some cases, two or three coordinating centers—and at least three partner hospitals. Since 2018, 19 neurovascular networks (NVNs) have been audited and certified. NVNs play a crucial role in stroke care in Germany, as first described and quantified in 2020. Methods The present article provides an update on interdisciplinary NVNs in Germany and outlines recent developments in neurovascular patient care. Audit reports from 19 NVNs, certified between 2021 and 2024, were analyzed, and compared to previously reported data from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, structural and quality-related parameters for coordinating centers and partner hospitals were compared. Results The number of NVNs increased from 15 to 19, with approximately 120,000 from an estimated 262,000 neurovascular patients in Germany now treated annually in certified NVN hospitals. In particular, annual thrombectomy rates at coordinating centers have increased over-proportionally (> 4400, as compared to previously < 2500), and surgical treatments for intracerebral hemorrhages have also increased. Process times—door-to-needle and door-to-groin times—remained stable or exhibited slight increases. Substantial variability was observed among NVN partner hospitals regarding procedural volumes. Conclusions The treatment of patients with neurovascular diseases in Germany has expanded considerably within certified NVN hospitals in recent years. The NVNs ensure comprehensive, high-quality stroke care nationwide.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-025-00418-8Neurovascular networksStroke careThrombectomyThrombolysisCarotid endarterectomyCarotid stenting
spellingShingle Tobias A. Wagner-Altendorf
Konrad Sieb
Ansgar Berlis
Arnd Dörfler
Dorothee Mielke
Christoph Groden
Erdem Güresir
Gerhard F. Hamann
Olav Jansen
Jürgen Meixensberger
Oliver Müller
Darius G. Nabavi
Tobias Neumann-Haefelin
Martin Ossenbrink
Jan Regelsberger
Georg Royl
Hartmut Vatter
Werner Weber
Nils Werring
Jens Minnerup
Joachim Röther
Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025
Neurological Research and Practice
Neurovascular networks
Stroke care
Thrombectomy
Thrombolysis
Carotid endarterectomy
Carotid stenting
title Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025
title_full Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025
title_fullStr Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025
title_full_unstemmed Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025
title_short Interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in Germany: update 2025
title_sort interdisciplinary neurovascular networks in germany update 2025
topic Neurovascular networks
Stroke care
Thrombectomy
Thrombolysis
Carotid endarterectomy
Carotid stenting
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-025-00418-8
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