Is hospitalization after TIA cost-effective on the basis of treatment with tPA?

Abstract

A 24-hour hospitalization for TIA could be cost-effective simply by increasing the likelihood that patients will receive tissue plasminogen activator if a stroke occurs. The authors performed a cost-utility analysis of 24-hour hospitalization for patients diagnosed with recent TIA. The overall cost-effectiveness ratio was 55,044 dollars per quality-adjusted life-year, a value considered borderline cost-effective. For patients with higher risk of stroke, admission was cost-effective.