This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Background: High blood pressure, although the main modifiable risk factor for stroke, may have a beneficial effect in maintaining brain perfusion after acute ischemia. The authors assessed the effects of blood pressure variation in the first 24 hours of stroke onset.
Methods: The authors prospectively studied consecutive patients admitted in the first 24 hours after stroke onset. Patients were classified according to the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Oxfordshire Stroke Classification Scale (OSCS). Stroke etiology was defined according to Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification. After 3 months, outcome was assessed using Rankin and Barthel scales, with poor outcome defined as Rankin score > 2 or Barthel score < 70.
Results: A total of 115 patients were admitted between January 2001 and October 2002. Median NIHSS was 4.5; main stroke etiology was cardioembolism (30%). After 3 months, 44 (39%) patients had a poor outcome. Predictors of poor outcome in univariable analyses (p < 0.05) were as follows: total anterior circulation classification on OSCS, nonlacunar stroke etiology, older age, higher NIHSS score, lack of antiplatelet use, higher body temperature, lower diastolic blood pressure on admission, and a larger degree of systolic blood pressure reduction. In the multivariable analysis, remaining predictors of poor outcome included the following: NIHSS score (OR = 1.55 per 1 point increase; 95% CI = 1.28 to 1.87; p < 0.001) and degree of systolic blood pressure reduction in the first 24 hours (OR = 1.89 per 10% decrease; 95% CI = 1.02 to 3.52; p = 0.047).
Conclusion: Blood pressure reduction in the first 24 hours of stroke onset is independently associated with poor outcome after 3 months.
- Received March 19, 2003.
- Accepted July 26, 2003.
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Letters: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
You must ensure that your Disclosures have been updated within the previous six months. Please go to our Submission Site to add or update your Disclosure information.
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
Topics Discussed
Alert Me
Recommended articles
Aspirin resistance is associated with increased stroke severity and infarct volume
Neurologic deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack
Impact of acute blood pressure variability on ischemic stroke outcome
Relationship between blood pressure and outcome changes over time in acute ischemic stroke