ICU Utilization in Elective Endovascular Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests routine post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) admission in high-risk neurosurgical procedures, including endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA), may be unnecessary, though current practice patterns are undescribed. We sought to evaluate trends in ICU utilization in patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of UIA in the United States. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing commercial claims from a nationwide longitudinal database of multiple payors in the U.S. (MarketScan) to evaluate ICU use in patients undergoing elective, endovascular repair of UIA between 2005 and 2019. Our initial cohort was defined using diagnosis codes and CPT procedural codes. Patients with ruptured aneurysms were excluded, and the remaining unruptured patients were separated by ICU revenue codes to identify those who were likely admitted to the ICU post-operatively. A combination of diagnosis codes and procedural codes were utilized to evaluate demographics, pre-operative comorbidities, post-procedural complications, and discharge status. Cost analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Of 6218 patients who underwent elective endovascular treatment of UIA, 78.6% (4890) of patients were placed in the ICU post-operatively, and this percentage remained stable over the study period. No differences in age, sex, comorbidity scores, or smoking history were found between patients admitted to the ICU versus those admitted to the floor. ICU utilization was more common in urban locations (p < 0.001). The average total payment was higher in patients admitted to the ICU post-operatively ($46,429 versus $40,552, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 80% of patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of UIA are admitted to the ICU postoperatively, despite multiple studies suggesting this practice is unnecessary. Costs are significantly higher in patients utilizing the ICU. Reducing routine ICU use in this subgroup of patients may reduce costs and resource utilization in a safe manner.