Factors Affecting Length of Stay in a Stroke Unit After Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy: A Retrospective Study

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the hospitalization duration in the stroke unit after IV thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke and the affecting factors. Methods:The research was designed as a retrospective study.From 334 patients admitted to a state hospital in Istanbul's stroke unit with a stroke diagnosis, 152 patients who received IV thrombolytic therapy constituted the study's sample.The hospital registry system, nurse observation notes, and patient files in the hospital archive were examined by the researcher to access the patients' socio-demographic and clinical data.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between parameters conforming to a normal distribution, along with descriptive statistical methods. Results:The mean length of stay in the stroke unit was 3.23 days(2).Complications developed in 44.1% (67) of the patients during hospitalization.Among these complications, respiratory-related complications were the highest at 19.5% (13), followed by cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral edema at 18% (12).The most common reason for transferring patients was routine transfer at 82.3% (125).A statistically significant positive correlation was found (r=0.261;p<0.05) between the duration of stay in the stroke unit and the severity of the stroke.A positive (r=0.026;p<0.05) relationship was found between the stroke unit stay duration and the patient's age, and a negative relationship (r=-0.220;p<0.05) was found with the Glasgow Coma Scale before IV thrombolytic therapy. Conclusion:Short hospital stays and low mortality rates demonstrate the benefit of close observation of IV tPA patients.Complication development during stroke unit stay, stroke severity, age, as well as history of smoking and alcohol use in patients receiving IV thrombolytic therapy affect the length of hospital stay.