Preadmission use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers and short-term mortality after stroke

Impact of premorbid hypertension and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors on the severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is widely acknowledged as a significant contributory factor to the heightened risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture. Nevertheless, the impact of hypertension management on the outcomes subsequent to aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH), particularly concerning the severity of aSAH, remains an underexplored area.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from a prospectively multicentre cohort of 4545 patients with aSAH in China. Premorbid hypertension status and the utilisation of antihypertensive medications prior to admission were set as key exposure factors. The primary outcomes encompassed unfavourable clinical grading scales observed on admission. Employing multivariable logistic regression, we explored the association between premorbid hypertension status, preadmission use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and unfavourable clinical grading scales.

RESULTS

In comparison to patients with normal blood pressure, only uncontrolled hypertension demonstrated a significant and independent association with an elevated risk of poor outcomes on the Hunt-Hess scale (OR=1.799, 95% CI 1.413 to 2.291, p<0.001) and the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) scale (OR=1.721, 95% CI 1.425 to 2.079, p<0.001). Furthermore, the antecedent use of RAAS inhibitors before admission was markedly and independently linked to a diminished risk of adverse outcomes on the Hunt-Hess scale (OR=0.653, 95% CI 0.430 to 0.992, p=0.046) and the WFNS scale (OR=0.656, 95% CI 0.469 to 0.918, p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Uncontrolled hypertension markedly elevates the risk of adverse clinical outcomes following an aSAH. Conversely, the preadmission utilisation of RAAS inhibitors demonstrates a noteworthy association with a favourable clinical outcome after aSAH.

Effect of Baseline Antihypertensive Treatments on Stroke Severity and Outcomes in the BP TARGET Trial

BACKGROUND

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with a history of hypertension experience worse outcomes, which may be explained by a deleterious impact of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) overactivation. We sought to investigate whether prestroke antihypertensive treatments (AHT) influenced baseline stroke severity and neurological outcomes, in patients with AIS successfully treated by endovascular therapy.

METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis of the BP TARGET trial (Blood Pressure Target in Acute Stroke to Reduce Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy) and included hypertensive patients with available data regarding AHT at admission, categorized as RAS inhibitors (ACE [angiotensin-converting enzyme] inhibitors, ARBs [angiotensin 2 receptor blockers], and β-blockers) and non-RAS inhibitors (calcium channel blockers and diuretics). Associations of each AHT with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at baseline were investigated in linear mixed model adjusted for the number of treatments and center. Associations of each AHT with 24-hour NIHSS change, intracranial hemorrhage were performed using linear mixed model adjusted for baseline NIHSS, the number of treatments, center, age, and sex and adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, and current smoking for favorable outcome. All analyses were performed on cases-available data regarding the low number of missing data.

RESULTS

Overall, 203 patients with at least one AHT were included. Patients under non-RAS inhibitor treatments had a higher NIHSS score at baseline (adjusted mean difference=3.28 [95% CI, 1.33-5.22]; P=0.001). Conversely, patients under RAS inhibitor treatments had a lower baseline NIHSS score (adjusted mean difference=-2.81 [95% CI, -5.37 to -0.25]; P=0.031). Intracranial hemorrhage occurrence was significantly more frequent in patients under non-RAS inhibitor treatments (adjusted odds ratio of 2.48 [95% CI, 1.12-5.47]; P=0.025). Conversely, the use of RAS inhibitor treatments before AIS was not associated with higher odds of radiographic intracranial hemorrhage. Patients with non-RAS inhibitor treatments had less improvement of NIHSS at 24 hours compared with patients without (adjusted mean difference, 2.83 [95% CI, -0.16 to 5.81]; P=0.063). Baseline RAS inhibitor or noninhibitor treatments were not associated with favorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed an opposite effect of baseline AHT, based on their effect on the RAS. Patients treated with RAS inhibitor agents before AIS exhibited less severe AIS compared with patients under non-RAS inhibitor treatments, developed less intracranial hemorrhage at 24 hours and had a trend toward better NIHSS score at 24 hours.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT03160677.

Prognostic indicators for the onset of ischaemic versus haemorrhagic stroke in stable coronary artery disease

The incidence of stroke may be increased in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the development of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in stable CAD patients.Patients with stable CAD were prospectively enrolled for future cardiovascular events in Taiwan. All the patients had received coronary interventions and were stable for least 1 month before enrolment. The incidence of ischaemic stroke was identified and confirmed by telephone and hospital records. Baseline characteristics, including demographic data, lipid profiles, medications, and biomarkers for potential inflammatory and atherosclerosis, were analysed.In total, 1428 patients (age, 63.07 ± 11.4 years; 1207 males) were under standard medical treatment and regularly followed-up for at least 4 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) level (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.16-3.10, P = .01) and statin use (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17-0.79, P = .01) were independently associated with the onset of ischaemic stroke. Age (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00-1.14, P = .04) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use (HR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17-0.79, P = .01) were independently associated with future onset of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), implying the different mechanisms of ischaemic stroke and ICH.Age and ARB use were related to ICH onset. Baseline MPO level and statin use were independently associated with longer and shorter future ischaemic stroke onset in stable CAD patients, respectively. Further studies are indicated to confirm the potential mechanisms and advance individual risk stratification for the onset of different types of stroke in clinical CAD.

Central sympathetic nerve activation in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening condition, and although its two main complications-cerebral vasospasm (CVS)/delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and early brain injury (EBI)-have been widely studied, prognosis has not improved over time. The sympathetic nerve (SN) system is important for the regulation of cardiovascular function and is closely associated with cerebral vessels and the regulation of cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular function; thus, excessive SN activation leads to a rapid breakdown of homeostasis in the brain. In the hyperacute phase, patients with SAH can experience possibly lethal conditions that are thought to be associated with SN activation (catecholamine surge)-related arrhythmia, neurogenic pulmonary edema, and irreversible injury to the hypothalamus and brainstem. Although the role of the SN system in SAH has long been investigated and considerable evidence has been collected, the exact pathophysiology remains undetermined, mainly because the relationships between the SN system and SAH are complicated, and many SN-modulating factors are involved. Thus, research concerning these relationships needs to explore novel findings that correlate with the relevant concepts based on past reliable evidence. Here, we explore the role of the central SN (CSN) system in SAH pathophysiology and provide a comprehensive review of the functional CSN network; brain injury in hyperacute phase involving the CSN system; pathophysiological overlap between the CSN system and the two major SAH complications, CVS/DCI and EBI; CSN-modulating factors; and SAH-related extracerebral organ injury. Further studies are warranted to determine the specific roles of the CSN system in the brain injuries associated with SAH.

Renin-angiotensin system activation and imbalance of matrix metalloproteinase-9/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in cold-induced stroke

AIMS

In the present study, we investigated the roles of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation and imbalance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in cold-induced stroke during chronic hypertension, as well as the protective effects of captopril and recombinant human TIMP-1 (rhTIMP-1).

MAIN METHODS

Rats were randomly assigned to sham; 2-kidney, 2-clip (2K-2C); 2K-2C + captopril, and 2K-2C + rhTIMP-1 groups. After blood pressure values had stabilized, each group was randomly divided into an acute cold exposure (ACE) group (12-h light at 22 °C/12-h dark at 4 °C) and a non-acute cold exposure (NACE) group (12-h light/12-h dark at 22 °C), each of which underwent three cycles of exposure. Captopril treatment was administered via gavage (50 mg/kg/d), while rhTIMP-1 treatment was administered via the tail vein (60 μg/kg/36 h).

KEY FINDINGS

In the 2K-2C group, angiotensin II (AngII) and MMP-9 levels increased in both the plasma and cortex, while no such changes in TIMP-1 expression were observed. Cold exposure further upregulated AngII and MMP-9 levels and increased stroke incidence. Captopril and rhTIMP-1 treatment inhibited MMP-9 expression and activation and decreased stroke incidence in response to cold exposure.

SIGNIFICANCE

The present study is the first to demonstrate that cold exposure exacerbates imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by activating the RAS, which may be critical in the initiation of stroke during chronic hypertension. In addition, our results suggest that captopril and rhTIMP-1 exert protective effects against cold-induced stroke by ameliorating MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance.

The Management of Hypertension in Pre-Aneurysmal Treatment Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients

BACKGROUND

Management of hypertension in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients within the preaneurysmal treatment period remains ambiguous, in part due to the lack of high-level, evidence-based guidelines. Despite this, current recommendations offer guidance regarding certain parameters (e.g., mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure). However, managing hypertension within this critical period is difficult because a fine balance must be achieved between lowering blood pressure enough to minimize the risk of rebleeding and preventing reduced cerebral perfusion and subsequent ischemic damage. Furthermore, the different causes of hypertension within the preaneurysmal treatment period are polyfactorial and include pathophysiologic responses, sympathetic nervous system activation, and iatrogenic from hyperdynamic therapy and vasopressors, which requires consideration for these patients to receive optimal management. Other factors including loss of autoregulation and concomitant conditions must also be considered when deciding whether to start antihypertensive therapy.

METHODS

We review the literature and provide a comprehensive update on management of hypertension within the preaneurysmal treatment period, which we hope stresses the need for better evidence-based guidelines that will in turn help manage this cohort.

RESULTS

Thorough review revealed no high-grade, evidence-based guidelines to manage these patients, which results in variation in clinical practice among different clinicians and institutions. Despite this, current recommendations seem reasonable until such guidelines are established.

CONCLUSIONS

It is clear that further, larger studies are warranted in order to clarify the effect of antihypertensive therapy on patient outcome and what the BP thresholds are, along with establishing the best treatment, for commencing antihypertensive therapy.

Pretreatment with low-dose fimasartan ameliorates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation and brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage

Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which is composed of an NLRP3 domain, the adaptor molecule apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) domain, and procaspase-1, plays an important role in the immune pathophysiology of the secondary damage induced by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study aims to investigate whether pre-stroke treatment with fimasartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, has anti-inflammatory effects on ICH by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: sham, vehicle, low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) and regular-doses (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg) fimasartan. These rats were treated for 30 days before the induction of collagenase-induced ICH and continuously 3 days after surgery. The mean blood pressure (BP) in the low-dose fimasartan group was not significantly different from that of control, and BP in the regular-dose groups was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with low-dose fimasartan attenuated ICH-induced edema and improved neurological functions. Activation of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 and the NF-κB pathways after ICH was markedly reduced by low-dose fimasartan. The double immunofluorescence staining of brain cells showed a significant decrease in the co-localization of NLRP3 with Iba1 (microglia marker) positive cells by fimasartan treatment. Cultured microglia cells stimulated by hemolysate demonstrated significant activation of the inflammasome, which was reduced by fimasartan. Pretreatment with a low-dose fimasartan alleviated brain damage after acute ICH by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome without lowering MBP. Our study suggests pre-stroke administration of fimasartan could potentially attenuate ICH-induced secondary brain injury by targeting the inflammasome.

Influence of on-going treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker on the outcome of patients treated with intravenous rt-PA for ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Many patients who receive intravenous (i.v.) recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute cerebral ischemia were under angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) at stroke onset. ACE-Is and ARBs have neuroprotective properties in animal models.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the 3-month outcome of patients treated with i.v. rt-PA for cerebral ischemia was influenced by on-going therapy with ACE-Is or ARBs.

METHOD

This study was observational, conducted in two prospective registries of stroke patients treated with i.v. rt-PA. We evaluated outcomes with the modified Rankin scale and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (s-ICH) according to the ECASS2 criteria. We compared outcomes between patients with and without ACE-Is/ARBs according to the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at month 3, using logistic regression analyses adjusted on propensity scores, and propensity-matched analyses.

RESULTS

Of 1803 patients, 455 (25.2%) were under ACE-Is (259), ARBs (188) or both (8). At 3 months, patients under ACE-Is or ARBs were more likely to have an mRS 0-1, but did not differ for mRS 0-2, s-ICH and death. After adjustment on propensity scores, the association between ACE-Is/ARBs and mRS 0-1 disappeared. The propensity-matched analysis, performed in 397 pairs of patients, found no difference in outcomes between patients with and without ACE-Is or ARBs.

CONCLUSION

In patients treated by intravenous thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, on-going treatment with ACE-Is or ARBs does not influence on outcomes after adjustment on baseline characteristics and propensity scores.

Anesthesia for Endovascular Approaches to Acute Ischemic Stroke

Involvement of the Anesthesiologist in the early stages of care for acute ischemic stroke patient undergoing endovascular treatment is essential. Anesthetic management includes the anesthetic technique (general anesthesia vs sedation), a matter of much debate and an area in need of well-designed prospective studies. The large numbers of confounding factors make the design of such studies a difficult process. A universally agreed point in the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke is the importance of decreasing the time to revascularization. Hemodynamic and ventilatory management and implementation of neuroprotective modalities and treatment of acute procedural complications are important components of the anesthetic plan.

Long-Term Risk of Stroke in Myocardial Infarction Survivors

Background and Purpose—

Improved survival after myocardial infarction (MI) has increased the number of patients at risk of post-MI stroke. We examined risks of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in patients with MI compared with the general population.

Methods—

We conducted a nationwide population–based cohort study using Danish medical registries. During 1980 to 2009, we identified all patients with a first-time inpatient diagnosis of MI and formed a sex- and age-matched comparison cohort. We computed cumulative stroke risks and adjusted stroke rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results—

We identified 258 806 patients with an MI and 1 244 773 individuals from the general population. For patients with MI, the cumulative stroke risks after 1 to 30 years were 12.6% for ischemic stroke, 1.2% for ICH, and 0.24% for SAH. During the first 30 days after MI, the adjusted stroke rate ratio was 30-fold increased for ischemic stroke (31.9; 95% CI, 28.4–35.8), 20-fold for ICH (21.8; 95% CI, 16.6–28.5), and 15-fold for SAH (16.6; 95% CI, 8.7–32.0). The adjusted stroke rate ratio remained increased during 31 to 365 days (3-fold for ischemic stroke, 2-fold for ICH, and 1.5-fold for SAH). During the ensuing 1 to 30 years, the risks remained increased for ischemic stroke (1.6; 95% CI, 1.6–1.6) but decreased to near unity for ICH (1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.2) and SAH (1.1; 95% CI, 0.94–1.2).

Conclusions—

MI was a risk factor for all stroke subtypes during the first year of follow-up, but only for ischemic stroke thereafter.

Effect of Long-Term Treatment with Fimasartan on Transient Focal Ischemia in Rat Brain

Fimasartan is a newly developed angiotensin receptor blocker, which may have protective effects during myocardial infarction or atherosclerosis. In this context, we investigated the effects of long-term treatment with low-dose fimasartan on focal ischemia in rat brain. We induced focal ischemia in brain by transient intraluminal occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and administered low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) or regular doses (1 or 3 mg/kg) of fimasartan via intravenous routes. After the administration of low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) fimasartan, blood pressure did not decrease compared to the phosphate-buffered saline- (PBS-) control with MCA occlusion (MCAO) group. The infarct volume and ischemic cell death were reduced in the low-dose fimasartan-treated group (46 ± 41 mm³ for 0.5 mg/kg and 153 ± 47 mm³ for PBS-control with MCAO; P < 0.01) but not in the regular-dose groups. Low-dose fimasartan treatment improved functional recovery after ischemia and significantly decreased mortality. In our study, fimasartan reduced the degradation of IκB and the formation of an inflammatory end-product, COX-2. As a result, the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the peri-infarct area decreased in fimasartan-treated group. We have demonstrated that long-term, low-dose fimasartan treatment improved outcomes after focal ischemia in the brain via a reduction of inflammation.

Impact of preadmission treatment with calcium channel blockers or beta blockers on short-term mortality after stroke: a nationwide cohort study

Background

The prognostic impact of preadmission use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and beta blockers (BBs) on stroke mortality remains unclear. We aimed to examine whether preadmission use of CCBs or BBs was associated with improved short-term mortality following ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods

We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using Danish medical registries. We identified all patients with a first-time inpatient diagnosis of stroke between 2004 and 2012 and their comorbidities. We defined CCB/BB use as current use, former use, or non-use. Current use was further classified as new or long-term use. We used Cox regression modeling to compute 30-day mortality rate ratios (MRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for potential confounders.

Results

We identified 100,043 patients with a first-time stroke. Of these, 83,736 (83.7%) patients had ischemic stroke, 11,779 (11.8%) had ICH, and 4,528 (4.5%) had SAH. Comparing current users of CCBs or BBs with non-users, we found no association with mortality for ischemic stroke [adjusted 30-day MRR = 0.99 (95% CI: 0.94-1.05) for CCBs and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.96-1.07) for BBs], ICH [adjusted 30-day MRR = 1.05 (95% CI: 0.95-1.16) for CCBs and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.87-1.04) for BBs], or SAH [adjusted 30-day MRR = 1.05 (95% CI: 0.85-1.29) for CCBs and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.72-1.11) for BBs]. Former use of CCBs or BBs was not associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Preadmission use of CCBs or BBs was not associated with 30-day mortality following ischemic stroke, ICH, or SAH.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-015-0279-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.