Effects of early blood pressure lowering on early and long-term outcomes after acute stroke: an updated meta-analysis

Pre-hospital blood pressure lowering in presumed hyperacute stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

High blood pressure (BP) is common in acute stroke and a predictor of poor outcomes. Treatment of acute stroke, before a distinction can be made between ischemic and hemorrhagic types, is challenging. We aimed to assess whether patients with presumed acute stroke benefit from pre-hospital BP lowering.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane searches until June 2024. Dichotomous data were pooled using risk ratio (RR), and continuous data were pooled using mean difference (MD), both with a 95% confidence interval (CI), using (R version 4.3).

PROSPERO ID

CRD42024560200.

RESULTS

Our analysis included five RCTs encompassing 3,933 patients. There was no difference between early BP control and usual care regarding National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after 24 hours (MD: 0.65 with 95% CI [0.01, 1.29], P = 0.05), excellent neurological recovery (Modified Rankin Score (mRS) 0-1) (RR: 1.00 with 95% CI [0.91, 1.11], P= 0.98), functional independence (mRS 0-2) (RR: 1.04 with 95% CI [0.96, 1.13], P= 0.30), and independent Ambulation (mRS 0-3) (RR: 1.01 with 95% CI [0.95, 1.06], P= 0.84). Also, there was no difference between both groups in poor neurological recovery (mRS 4-6) (RR: 0.98 with 95% CI [0.91, 1.07], P= 0.68), all-cause mortality (RR: 1.02 with 95% CI [0.90, 1.15], P= 0.79), and any serious adverse events (RR: 1.04 with 95% CI [0.95, 1.15], P= 0.40). However, early BP control significantly increased the incidence of hypotension (RR: 2.24 with 95% CI [1.14, 4.38], P= 0.02) and headache (RR: 1.51 with 95% CI [1.01, 2.26], P= 0.04).

CONCLUSION

In patients with presumed hyperacute stroke and elevated blood pressure, the rapid initiation of blood pressure reduction in the ambulance very early after symptom onset had no significant benefit regarding functional outcomes in patients with undifferentiated stroke but with an increased incidence of hypotension and headaches.

Antihypertensive Interventions in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating Clinical Outcomes Through an Emergency Medicine Paradigm

High blood pressure (HBP) is usually prominent after the onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although previous studies have found that about half of patients with AIS have a background of hypertension, there is no clear etiology for HBP in AIS. The literature reveals discrepancies in the relationship between HBP and clinical outcomes of AIS, pointing toward the contested effect of blood pressure (BP) reduction clinical outcomes. Thus, the potential benefits and hazards of HBP treatment were explored in the context of clinical outcomes after AIS. An electronic database and a manual search were carried out to identify all the articles related to this topic and published between 2000 and January 2023. The Review Manager software was also used to perform the meta-analysis and quality appraisal. In analyses related to patients not treated with reperfusion therapies, mortality, and dependency outcomes were categorized as short-term (<3 months) or long-term (≥3 months). Our search strategy yielded 2459 articles, of which only 15 met the inclusion criteria. The results of our meta-analysis demonstrate that in patients not treated with reperfusion therapies, BP lowering had no significant impact on either short-term or long-term mortality (risk ratio (RR): 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81-1.73; p = 0.39, and RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.77-1.40; p = 0.81, respectively) and dependency (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.97-1.30; p = 0.11, and RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.90-1.07; p = 0.61, respectively). Furthermore, BP lowering prior to reperfusion showed no significant effect on mortality (RR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.23-2.26; p = 0.58), but it did significantly reduce the risk of dependency (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.94; p < 0.00001). When the dataset was restricted to patients who had successful reperfusion, intensive BP lowering (target systolic BP <120 mmHg) was found to increase the risk of dependency (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.09-1.39; p = 0.0009). In addition, BP reduction had an insignificant effect on the risk of recurrent strokes and combined vascular events (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.54-1.84; p = 1.00, and RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.70-1.41; p = 0.95, respectively). Lowering BP in patients not treated with reperfusion therapies is not beneficial in reducing the risk of either short or long-term mortality and dependency. However, BPR before reperfusion reduces the risk of dependency, while aggressive BPR (target systolic blood pressure (SBP) <120 mmHg) after successful reperfusion increases the risk of dependency. Therefore, we recommend BPR as early as possible for patients undergoing reperfusion therapies but suggest against aggressive BPR in patients who have undergone successful reperfusion.

Cerebral hemodynamic effects of early blood pressure lowering after TIA and stroke in patients with carotid stenosis

BACKGROUND

Effects of early blood pressure (BP) lowering on cerebral perfusion in patients with moderate/severe occlusive carotid disease after transient ischemic attack (TIA) and non-disabling stroke are uncertain.

AIMS

We aimed to evaluate the changes in transcranial Doppler (TCD) indices in patients undergoing blood pressure lowering soon after TIA/non-disabling stroke.

METHODS

Consecutive eligible patients (1 November 2011 to 30 October 2018) attending a rapid-access clinic with TIA/non-disabling stroke underwent telemetric home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) for 1 month and middle cerebral artery velocities measurements ipsilateral to carotid stenosis on TCD ultrasound in the acute setting and at 1 month. Hypertensive patients (HBPM ⩾ 135/85) underwent intensive BP-lowering guided by HBPM unless they had bilateral severe occlusive disease (⩾ 70%). Changes in BP and TCD parameters were compared in patients with extracranial moderate/severe carotid stenosis (between 50% and occlusion) versus those with no or mild (< 50%) stenosis.

RESULTS

Of 764 patients with repeated TCD measures, 42 had moderate/severe extracranial carotid stenosis without bilateral severe occlusive disease. HBPM was reduced from baseline to 1 month in hypertensive patients both with versus without moderate/severe carotid stenosis (-12.44/15.99 vs -13.2/12.2 mmHg, respectively, p-difference = 0.82), and changes in TCD velocities (4.69/14.94 vs 2.69/13.86 cm/s, respectively, p-difference = 0.52 for peak systolic velocity and 0.33/7.06 vs 1.75/6.84 cm/s, p-difference = 0.34 for end-diastolic velocity) were also similar, with no evidence of greater hemodynamic compromise in patients with stenosis/occlusion.

CONCLUSION

There was no evidence of worsening of TCD hemodynamic indices in patients with moderate/severe occlusive carotid disease treated with BP-lowering soon after TIA/non-disabling stroke, suggesting that antihypertensive treatment in this group of patients is safe in the acute setting of TIA clinics.

Predictors of stroke favorable functional outcome in Guinea, results from the Conakry stroke registry

Low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) now bear most of the stroke burden. In LMICs, stroke epidemiology and health care systems are different from HICs. Therefore, a high-income country (HIC)-based predictive model may not correspond to the LMIC stroke context. Identify the impact of modifiable variables in acute stroke management in Conakry, Guinea as potential predictors of favorable stroke outcome. Data were extracted from the Conakry stroke registry that includes 1018 patients. A logistic regression model was built to predict favorable stroke outcomes, defined as mRS 0–2. Age, admission NIHSS score, mean arterial blood pressure and capillary glycemia were chosen as covariates. Delay to brain CT imaging under 24 h from symptom onset, fever, presence of sores and abnormal lung auscultation were included as factors. NIHSS score on admission, age and ischemic stroke were included in the null model as nuisance parameters to determine the contribution of modifiable variables to predict stroke favorable outcome. Lower admission NIHSS, brain CT imaging within 24 h of symptoms onset and lower mean arterial blood pressure emerged as a significant positive predictors of favorable stroke outcome with respective odd ratios (OR) of 1.35 [1.28–1.43], 2.1 [1.16–3.8] and 1.01 [1.01–1.04]. The presence of fever or sores impacted negatively stroke favorable outcomes with OR of 0.3 [0.1–0.85] and 0.25 [0.14–0.45]. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of the model was 0.86. This model explained 44.5% of the variability of the favorable stroke outcome with 10.2% of the variability explained by the modifiable variables when admission NIHSS, and ischemic stroke were included in the null model as nuisance parameter. In the Conakry stroke registry, using a logistic regression to predict stroke favorable outcome, five variables that led to an AUC of 0.86: admission NIHSS, early brain CT imaging, fever, sores and mean blood pressure. This paves the way for future public health interventions to test whether modulating amendable variables leads to increased favorable stroke outcomes in LMICs.

Evaluation of Systolic Blood Pressure, Use of Aspirin and Clopidogrel, and Stroke Recurrence in the Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke Trial

IMPORTANCE

Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) after acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) is associated with future stroke risk.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with stroke recurrence among patients with acute ischemic stroke and TIA with or without elevated baseline SBP.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study performed a post hoc subgroup analysis of the Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke (POINT) trial, which was a multicenter trial conducted from 2010 to 2018 at 269 sites in 10 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Patients enrolled in POINT with available blood pressure and outcome data were included in this cohort. Statistical analysis was performed from November 2020 to January 2021.

EXPOSURES

Baseline SBP less than 140 mm Hg vs greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg and the interaction term of SBP (<140 mm Hg vs ≥140 mm Hg) × treatment group (aspirin vs DAPT).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was ischemic stroke during 90 days of follow-up. The statistical analysis fit Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for patient age, race, premorbid hypertension, diabetes, and final diagnosis of the qualifying event (stroke vs TIA).

RESULTS

Among 4781 patients in the cohort, the mean (SD) age was 64.6 (13.1) years; 2142 (44.8%) were male individuals, 3487 (72.9%) were White individuals, and 266 (5.6%) had a primary outcome of ischemic stroke during follow-up. There were 946 patients (19.8%) with baseline SBP less than 140 mm Hg and 3835 (80.2%) with SBP greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg. The interaction term (SBP × treatment) was significant (P for interaction = .03). In the subgroup of patients with SBP less than 140 mm Hg, the hazard ratio (HR) of DAPT vs aspirin alone for ischemic stroke was 0.36 (95% CI, 0.18-0.72; P = .004), whereas the HR in the subgroup with SBP greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.60-1.02; P = .08). When evaluating the outcome of ischemic stroke within 7 days of randomization, the interaction term was significant (P for interaction = .02), and the HR for patients with DAPT with SBP less than 140 mm Hg was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.07-0.55; P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In the POINT trial, patients with SBP less than 140 mm Hg at presentation received a greater benefit from 90 days of DAPT than those with higher baseline SBP, particularly for reduction of early ischemic stroke recurrence. Additional research is needed to replicate these findings and potentially test whether mild SBP reduction and DAPT within 12 hours of stroke onset lowers early risk of stroke recurrence.

Cerebral Autoregulation in Ischemic Stroke: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Concepts

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the most impacting diseases in the world. In the last decades, new therapies have been introduced to improve outcomes after IS, most of them aiming for recanalization of the occluded vessel. However, despite this advance, there are still a large number of patients that remain disabled. One interesting possible therapeutic approach would be interventions guided by cerebral hemodynamic parameters such as dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA). Supportive hemodynamic therapies aiming to optimize perfusion in the ischemic area could protect the brain and may even extend the therapeutic window for reperfusion therapies. However, the knowledge of how to implement these therapies in the complex pathophysiology of brain ischemia is challenging and still not fully understood. This comprehensive review will focus on the state of the art in this promising area with emphasis on the following aspects: (1) pathophysiology of CA in the ischemic process; (2) methodology used to evaluate CA in IS; (3) CA studies in IS patients; (4) potential non-reperfusion therapies for IS patients based on the CA concept; and (5) the impact of common IS-associated comorbidities and phenotype on CA status. The review also points to the gaps existing in the current research to be further explored in future trials.

[Anesthesiological management in endovascular stroke treatment]

Early recanalization of the closed cerebral arteries after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the only treatment to minimize long-term disability and to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. For a long time the only proven causal treatment of AIS was intravenous thrombolysis; however, after the publication of a series of randomized prospective studies concerning endovascular mechanical thrombectomy using stent retriever systems after AIS, new guidelines were published. It was found that endovascular treatment (EVT) dramatically improves the outcome of eligible patients. The stent retriever enables high recanalization rates by clot removal from the cerebral arterial system by means of aspiration of the thrombus via the catheter and/or by entrapping it with a stent system. The management of anesthesia during the procedure is indispensable to prevent hypoxia and hemodynamic instability; however, which form of anesthesia (i.e. general anesthesia vs. conscious sedation) is advantageous for the patient during EVT is controversially discussed. In the first studies using retrospective data conscious sedation resulted in a better outcome compared to general anesthesia following EVT; however, in prospective studies this finding could not be confirmed. To obtain optimal neurological results after AIS and EVT with general anesthesia, it is of tremendous importance not to delay the EVT due to the anesthesiology procedure. Furthermore, hypotension, hypovolemia and hypocapnia should also be strictly avoided. Finally, the optimal anesthesiological approach should be guided by the current clinical state and pre-existing comorbidities of the patient.

Blood Pressure Variability and Neurologic Outcome After Endovascular Thrombectomy: A Secondary Analysis of the BEST Study

Background and Purpose- Although higher blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with worse functional outcome after stroke, this association is not as well established in large vessel occlusion strokes treated with endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods- In this post hoc analysis of BEST (Blood Pressure after Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke), a prospective, multicenter cohort study of anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing EVT, we determined the association of BPV with poor outcome or death (90-day modified Rankin Scale, 3-6). We calculated BPV during the first 24 hours after EVT for systolic and diastolic BP using 5 methodologies, then divided BPV into tertiles and compared the highest to lowest tertile using logistic regression. Results- Of the 443 patients included in our analysis, 259 (58.5%) had a poor outcome, and 79 (17.8%) died. All measures of BPV were significantly higher in patients with poor outcome or death, but the difference was more pronounced for systolic than diastolic BPV. In the logistic regression, the highest tertile of systolic BPV consistently predicted poor outcome (odds ratio, 1.8-3.5, all P<0.05). The rate of death within 90 days was 10.1% in the tertile with the lowest systolic BPV versus 25.2% in the tertile with the highest BPV (P<0.001). Conclusions- In EVT-treated stroke patients, higher BPV in the first 24 hours is associated with worse 90-day outcome. This association was more robust for systolic BPV. The mechanism by which BPV may exert a negative influence on neurological outcome remains unknown, but the consistency of this association warrants further investigation and potentially intervention.

Increased blood pressure variability after acute ischemic stroke increases the risk of death: A secondary analysis of the Virtual International Stroke Trial Archive

Background

Despite promising epidemiological data, it remains unclear if increased blood pressure variability is associated with death after acute ischemic stroke. Our objective was to examine this association in a large cohort of acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of anonymized, pooled, participant data from the Virtual International Stroke Trial Archive. We included patients with a 90-day modified Rankin Scale and blood pressure readings in the 24 h after study enrollment. The exposure was blood pressure variability during the day after study enrollment, calculated for the systolic and diastolic blood pressure using six statistical methodologies. The primary outcome was death within 90 days of stroke onset.

Results

Our cohort comprised 1891 patients of whom 277 (14.7%) died within 90 days. All indices of blood pressure variability were higher in patients who died, but the difference was more pronounced for systolic than diastolic blood pressure variability (systolic standard deviation for alive versus dead patients = 13.4 versus 15.9 mmHg, p < 0.001). Similar results were found in logistic regression models fit to the outcome of death, but only systolic blood pressure variability remained significant in adjusted models (Odds Ratio for death when comparing highest to lowest tercile of systolic blood pressure variability = 1.41–1.89, p < 0.03 for all).

Conclusions and relevance: These results reinforce prior studies that found increased blood pressure variability is associated with worse neurologic outcome after stroke. These data should help guide research on blood pressure variability after stroke and advocate for the inclusion of death as a clinical outcome in future studies that therapeutically reduce blood pressure variability.

SBP and antihypertensive treatment in the acute phase after stroke and its impact on the risk of falling

INTRODUCTION

Blood pressure development after acute stroke is inadequately studied. The objectives of this study were to describe SBP development among patients in the acute phase after stroke, and to investigate whether intensified antihypertensive treatment during this phase was associated with short-term prognosis regarding the risk of falling.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This observational study is a sub-study of the Fall Study of Gothenburg and included 421 consecutive patients admitted to a stroke unit. Medical records were studied for blood pressure measurements, antihypertensive treatment and falls. Random coefficient models for repeated measures data was used to study change in SBP. Univariable Cox proportional hazards model was used for estimation of predictors' effect on time to first fall within first 10 days.

RESULTS

During the first two days after stroke onset, mean SBP for all stroke patients decreased by 14.9 mmHg (95% CI 12.3-17.4, P < 0.0001) and further 2.3 mmHg days 2-7 after onset (95% CI -0.1 to 4.7, P = 0.066). The decrease in SBP was statistically significant irrespective of the use of antihypertensive treatment. No association was found between intensified antihypertensive treatment in the first week after acute stroke and the risk of a fall.

CONCLUSION

The findings show a spontaneous decrease of SBP during the first two days after acute stroke. This reduction in SBP seems to be present regardless of stroke type, age and use of antihypertensive treatment. No association between intensified antihypertensive treatment during the first 7 days after stroke and falls was found.

Efficacy of Antihypertensive Therapy in the Acute Stage of Cerebral Infarction - A Prospective, Randomized Control Trial

Background

This study investigated whether patients in the acute stage of cerebral infarction (ACI) might benefit from single-drug antihypertensive therapy (AT) without the use of preset target levels.

Methods

A total of 320 ACI patients were randomly divided into an AT group and a control group (group C) (160 patients in each group). The AT group received single antihypertensive drug treatment after the first 48 hours of onset with 5 mg of amlodipine besylate or 150 mg of irbesartan once a day. The primary end-point event was mortality on the 14^th day and in the 6^th month after onset, significant dependent-survival status (SDS, Barthel Index ≤ 60), mortality/disability ratio (modified Rankin Scale ≥ 3), and recurrence rate of cardio-cerebral vascular events (RR-CVE).

Results

The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 8.39 ± 3.21 vs. 8.16 ± 3.27 in the AT and C groups on entry to the study. On day 14, there were no significant differences in mortality (2.5% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.9994), SDS (50.0% vs. 49.0%, p = 0.864), and mortality/disability ratio (61.3% vs. 66.3%, p = 0.352) between the two groups, however the RR-CVE in the AT group was lower than in group C (4.4% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.014). In month 6, there were no significant difference in mortality rate between the two groups (3.1% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.767), however the SDS (23.4% vs. 34.4%, p = 0.033), mortality/disability ratio (32.1% vs. 45.0%, p = 0.018), and RR-CVE in group AT were lower than in group C (10.7% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.030).

Conclusions

Appropriate AT for patients with ACI does not worsen the disease condition and may improve the prognosis for the patients with moderate or mild stroke severity.

Antihypertensive therapy in acute ischemic stroke: where do we stand?

Despite the proven benefits of strict blood pressure (BP) control on primary and secondary prevention of stroke, management of acute hypertensive response in the early post-stroke period is surrounded by substantial controversy. Observational studies showed that raised BP on ischemic stroke onset is prognostically associated with excess risk for early adverse events and mortality. By contrast, randomized controlled trials and recent meta-analyses showed that although antihypertensive therapy effectively controls elevated BP in the acute stage of ischemic stroke, this BP-lowering effect is not translated into improvement in the risk of death or dependency. On this basis, acute and aggressive BP responses within 24 h of stroke onset should be avoided and antihypertensive therapy is recommended only for patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke and BP > 220/120 mmHg or those with BP > 185/110 mmHg who are eligible for therapy with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. By contrast, recent clinical trials showed that intensive BP lowering to levels < 140 mmHg for systolic BP is safe and lowers the risk of hematoma expansion in patients with acute intra-cerebral hemorrhage and this BP target is recommended by current international guidelines. Herein, we provide an overview of randomized trials and recent meta-analyses on the management of hypertension during the acute stage of ischemic stroke. We discuss several areas of uncertainty and conclude with perspectives for future research.

Blood Pressure Goals in Acute Stroke-How Low Do You Go?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Elevations in systolic blood pressure (BP) greater than 140 mmHg are reported in the majority (75%) of patients with acute ischemic stroke and in 80% of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). This paper summarizes and updates the current knowledge regarding the proper management strategy for elevated BP in patients with acute stroke. Recent studies have generally showed a neutral effect of BP reduction on clinical outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients. Thus, because of the lack of convincing evidence from clinical trials, aggressive BP reduction in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke is currently not recommended. Although in patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, guidelines are recommending BP < 180/105 mmHg but currently, the optimal BP management after reperfusion therapy still remains unclear. In acute ICH, the evidence from randomized clinical trials supports the immediate BP lowering targeting systolic BP to 140 mmHg, which is now recommended by guidelines.

Therapies to Reduce Blood Pressure Acutely

Clinicians make frequent treatment decisions regarding acute blood pressure reduction for the critically ill. Key to the decision making process is a balance between reducing arterial wall stress and maintaining perfusion to vital organs. In this article, we review the physiological considerations underlying acute blood pressure management, including the concept of cerebral autoregulation and its adaptations to chronic hypertension. We then discuss available pharmacological interventions suited for reducing blood pressure acutely. We also discuss specific blood pressure targets in common critical illnesses and consider future directions in this therapeutic area.

Determinants of the impact of blood pressure variability on neurological outcome after acute ischaemic stroke

INTRODUCTION

Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) is detrimental after acute ischaemic stroke, but the interaction between BPV and neuroimaging factors that directly influence stroke outcome has not been explored.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed inpatients from 2007 to 2014 with acute anterior circulation ischaemic stroke, CT perfusion and angiography at hospital admission, and a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 30-365 days after stroke onset. BPV indices included SD, coefficient of variation and successive variation of the systolic blood pressure between 0 and 120 hours after admission. Ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to mRS with predictor variables of BPV indices. Models were further stratified by CT perfusion volumetric measurements, proximal vessel occlusion and collateral score.

RESULTS

110 patients met the inclusion criteria. The likelihood of a 1-point rise in the mRS increased with every 10 mm Hg increase in BPV (OR for the 3 BPV indices ranged from 2.27 to 5.54), which was more pronounced in patients with larger ischaemic core volumes (OR 8.37 to 18.0) and larger hypoperfused volumes (OR 6.02 to 15.4). This association also held true for patients with larger mismatch volume, proximal vessel occlusion and good collateral vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that increased BPV is associated with worse neurological outcome after stroke, particularly in patients with a large lesion core volume, concurrent viable ischaemic penumbra, proximal vessel occlusion and good collaterals. This subset of patients, who are often not candidates for or fail acute stroke therapies such as intravenous tissue plasminogen activator or endovascular thrombectomy, may benefit from interventions aimed at reducing BPV.

Increased Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated with Worse Neurologic Outcome in Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke

Background. Although research suggests that blood pressure variability (BPV) is detrimental in the weeks to months after acute ischemic stroke, it has not been adequately studied in the acute setting. Methods. We reviewed acute ischemic stroke patients from 2007 to 2014 with anterior circulation stroke. Mean blood pressure and three BPV indices (standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and successive variation) for the intervals 0–24, 0–72, and 0–120 hours after admission were correlated with follow-up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) in ordinal logistic regression models. The correlation between BPV and mRS was further analyzed by terciles of clinically informative stratifications. Results. Two hundred and fifteen patients met inclusion criteria. At all time intervals, increased systolic BPV was associated with higher mRS, but the relationship was not significant for diastolic BPV or mean blood pressure. This association was strongest in patients with proximal stroke parent artery vessel occlusion and lower mean blood pressure. Conclusion. Increased early systolic BPV is associated with worse neurologic outcome after ischemic stroke. This association is strongest in patients with lower mean blood pressure and proximal vessel occlusion, often despite endovascular or thrombolytic therapy. This hypothesis-generating dataset suggests potential benefit for interventions aimed at reducing BPV in this patient population.

Timing of blood pressure lowering in acute ischemic stroke

Whether there are any benefits without harm from early lowering of blood pressure (BP) in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been a longstanding controversy in medicine. Whilst most studies have consistently shown associations between elevated BP, particularly systolic BP, and poor outcome, some also report that very low BP (systolic <130 mmHg) and large reductions in systolic BP are associated with poor outcomes in AIS. However, despite these associations, the observed U- or J-shaped relationship between BP and outcome in these patients may not be causally related. Patients with more severe strokes may have a more prominent autonomic response and later lower BP as their condition worsens, often pre-terminally. Fortunately, substantial progress has been made in recent years with new evidence arising from well-conducted randomized trials. This review outlines new evidence and recommendations for clinical practice over BP management in AIS.

Blood Pressure Reduction in the Acute Phase of an Ischemic Stroke Does Not Improve Short- or Long-Term Dependency or Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Current Literature

The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of current literature to determine whether lowering blood pressure (BP) during the acute phase of an ischemic stroke improves short- and long-term outcomes. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched until September 5, 2014 using combinations of the search terms: blood pressure reduction, reduced blood pressure, lowering blood pressure, ischemic stroke, acute stroke, and intra-cerebral hemorrhage. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trial and patients with acute stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) treated with an antihypertensive agent or placebo. Outcome measures were change in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) after treatment, and short- and long-term dependency and mortality rates. A total of 459 studies were identified, and ultimately 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of participants in the treatment groups was 5672 (range, 6-2308), and in the control groups was 5416 (range, 6-2033). In most studies, more than 50% of the participants were males and the mean age was more than 60 years. The mean follow-up time ranged from 5 days to 12 months. As expected, treatment groups had a greater decrease in BP than control groups, and this effect was seen with different classes of antihypertensive drugs. Short-term and long-term dependency rates were similar between treatment and control groups (short-term dependency: pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.041, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.936-1.159, P = 0.457; long-term dependency: pooled OR = 1.013, 95% CI: 0.915-1.120, P = 0.806). Short-term or long-term mortality was similar between the treatment and control groups (short-term mortality: pooled OR = 1.020, 95% CI: 0.749-1.388, P = .902; long-term mortality: pooled OR = 1.039, 95% CI: 0.883-1.222, P = 0.644). Antihypertensive agents effectively reduce BP during the acute phase of an ischemic stroke, but provide no benefit with respect to short- and long-term dependency and mortality.

High Blood Pressure Increases the Risk of Poor Outcome at Discharge and 12-month Follow-up in Patients with Symptomatic Intracranial Large Artery Stenosis and Occlusions: Subgroup analysis of the CICAS Study

Aims

The purpose of this study was to discuss the relationship between blood pressure and prognosis of patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods

Data on 2426 patients with symptomatic intracranial large artery stenosis and occlusion who participated in the Chinese Intracranial Atherosclerosis (CICAS) study were analyzed. According to the JNC 7 criteria, blood pressure of all patients was classified into one of the four subgroups: normal, prehypertension, hypertension stage I, and hypertension stage II. Poor outcomes were defined as death and functional dependency (mRS 3‐5) at discharge or at 1 year.

Results

For patients with intracranial stenosis of 70% to 99%, the rate of poor outcome at discharge was 19.3%, 23.5%, 26.8%, and 39.8% (P = 0.001) for each blood pressure subgroup. For patients with intracranial large artery occlusion, the rates were 17.6%, 22.1%, 29.5%, and 49.8%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The rate of poor outcome at 12‐month follow‐up was 12.6%, 15.3%, 28.5%, and 27.9% (P = 0.0038) in patients with stenosis of 70% to 99% for each blood pressure subgroup and 11.6%, 21.5%, 23.9%, 35.1% (P < 0.0001) in patients with occlusion.

Conclusions

For patients with severe intracranial arterial stenosis or occlusion, higher hypertension stages are associated with an increased risk of poor outcome at discharge and 12‐month follow‐up.