Intensive care unit admission prediction tool for ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis: A retrospective cohort study

Background: Some evidence suggests that given the limited healthcare resources, the majority of low- risk stroke patients may not require critical care monitoring. This study aimed to establish a predictive score for identifying post-intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) acute ischemic stroke patients who should be monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent IVT at Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand between January 2010 and December 2019. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were recorded. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was collected using the first recorded in the emergency department (ED) as well as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Results: Of the 171 patients with stroke, 73 (42.7%) needed ICU care. The median age was 67 years old. The median SBP and NIHSS were 160 mm Hg and 10, respectively. The predicting stroke ICU (PSU) score was developed, with the following points assigned: NIHSS score (1 point if > 9), SBP (1 point if > 170 mmHg), and infarct size greater than 1 lobe (2 points if present). The PSU score achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.759 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.688–0.830). A PSU score ≥ 1 predicted the need for ICU care with a sensitivity of 91.78%. Conclusions: The PSU score, which is based on the NIHSS score, systolic blood pressure, and infarct size, predicts the need for ICU care after IVT in patients with stroke.