Chapel Hill, N.C. — Researchers from UNC Neurology have published two studies that address critical questions in stroke management and post-neurocritical care, offering insights that could reshape clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
Study 1: Rethinking ICU Admission After Mechanical Thrombectomy
The first study, “Resource Utilization After Mechanical Thrombectomy: Is ICU Care Required for All Patients?” (Krawchuk LJ, Crooks AM, Do RK, Powers WJ, Ho JP, Williams DM, 2025), examined whether patients who undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) without intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) truly require intensive care unit (ICU) admission post-procedure.
Analyzing data from 239 patients treated between 2015 and 2022, researchers found that more than half (53.6%) did not require ICU-level resources within the first 24 hours. The most common interventions among those who did were vasoactive infusions and advanced respiratory support. Importantly, the study identified that use of these interventions during the thrombectomy itself was the strongest predictor of ICU resource needs afterward.
“These findings suggest that routine ICU admission for all post-thrombectomy patients may not be necessary,” the authors noted. “Reevaluating monitoring paradigms could optimize resource allocation and reduce healthcare costs without compromising patient safety.”
Read the full study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41131428/
Study 2: Mapping the Future of NeuroRecovery Clinics
The second study, “NeuroRecovery Clinics: A Survey to Understand the Current Landscape and Opinions of Post-NeuroICU Clinics” (Jaffa & Carlson, 2025), explored the growing interest in specialized clinics for patients recovering from severe acute neurologic injury (SANI).
Surveying 218 neurocritical care clinicians nationwide, the study revealed that only 32.1% of institutions currently operate post-neuroICU or NeuroRecovery clinics, despite widespread recognition of their potential benefits. Respondents cited closing gaps in care, improving prognostic accuracy, and supporting long-term recovery as top priorities for these clinics.
“While these clinics remain uncommon, enthusiasm for their development is strong,” the authors concluded. “Expanding NeuroRecovery services could transform transitional care for survivors of severe neurologic injury.”
Read the full study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41190887/
Implications for Patient Care
Together, these studies underscore UNC Neurology’s commitment to advancing evidence-based practices in both acute stroke treatment and long-term neurocritical care. By challenging traditional ICU admission protocols and advocating for structured recovery pathways, these findings pave the way for more efficient, patient-centered care models.