Stroke Unit as an alternative to Intensive Care Unit for initial hospital admission of low-grade non-aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: A safety and cost-minimisation analysis

Introduction: Stroke Units (SU) have been suggested as an alternative to Intensive Care units (ICU) for initial admission of low-grade non-aneurysmal spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (naSAH). We hypothesised that the incidence of in-hospital complications and long-term clinical outcomes in low-grade naSAH patients would be comparable in both settings, and that a cost-minimisation analysis would favour the use of SU.

Patients and methods: Retrospective, single-centre study at a third-level stroke-referral hospital, including low-grade spontaneous naSAH patients with WFNS 1-2. Primary outcomes were death and functional status at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were incidence of in-hospital major neurological and systemic complications. Additionally, a cost-minimisation analysis was conducted to estimate the average cost savings that could be achieved with the most efficient approach.

Results: Out of 96 naSAH patients, 30 (31%) were initially admitted to ICU and 66 (69%) to SU. Both groups had similar demographic and radiological features except for a higher proportion of WFNS 2 in ICU subgroup. There were no statistically significant differences between ICU and SU-managed subgroups in death rate (2 (7%) and 1 (2%), respectively), functional outcome at 90 days (28 (93%) and 61 (92%) modified Rankin Scale 0-2) or neurological and systemic in-hospital complications. Cost-minimisation analysis demonstrated significant monetary savings favouring the SU strategy.

Discussion and conclusion: Initial admission to the SU appears to be a safe and cost-effective alternative to the ICU for low-grade naSAH patients, with comparable clinical outcomes and a reduction of hospitalisation-related costs. Prospective multicenter randomised studies are encouraged to further evaluate this approach.