Acute blood pressure levels and long-term outcome in ischemic stroke

Blood pressure variability predicts poor outcomes in acute stroke patients without thrombolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a significant medical condition, and blood pressure stands out as the most prevalent treatable risk factor associated with it. Researches link blood pressure variability (BPV) with stroke; however, the specific relationship between with the outcomes of stroke patients remains unclear. As blood pressure variability and mean blood pressure are interrelated, it remains uncertain whether BPV adds additional information to understanding the outcome of acute stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review studies investigating the association between blood pressure variability and prognosis in acute stroke patients.

METHODS

Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for English language full-text articles from the inception to 1 January 2023. Stroke patients aged ≥ 18 years were included in this analysis. Stroke types were not restricted.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis shows that higher systolic blood pressure variability is linked to a higher risk of poor outcome, including function disability, mortality, early neurological deterioration, and stroke recurrence, among acute stroke patients without thrombolysis. A higher diastolic blood pressure variability is linked with to a higher risk of mortality and functional disability.

CONCLUSIONS

This review reveals that blood pressure variability is a novel and clinically relevant risk factor for stroke patients' outcome. Future studies should investigate how best to measure and define BPV in acute stroke. Larger studies are warranted to provide more robust evidence in this area.

Untreated hypertension and prognosis paradox in acute ischemic stroke

INTRODUCTION

This study is to explore the long-term functional outcome of antihypertensive medication-naïve, untreated hypertension (HTN) patients with acute ischemic stroke compared to those with no prior HTN and those with treated HTN.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed a prospectively collected stroke registry of all patients with acute ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to Incheon St. Mary's Hospital. Patients who received reperfusion therapy were excluded. Long-term functional outcomes were assessed at a 3-month follow-up visit using the modified Rankin Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 1044 patients was enrolled. Compared to patients with no or treated HTN, those with untreated HTN had higher odds for more favorable outcomes (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.7 [95% CI: 1.0-2.7, p = 0.050*] and 1.7 [95% CI: 1.0-2.8, p = 0.047*], respectively) when the stroke was large vessel atherosclerosis (LAA)/cardioembolic (CE) with large vessel occlusion/stenosis. However, no such association was observed when there was no large vessel occlusion or stenosis, in total patients, or if the index stroke was related to SVO. In untreated HTN patients with LAA/CE and large vessel occlusion/stenosis compared to patients in the lowest mean arterial pressure quartile (< 96.7 mmHg), patients in the second and third highest quartiles had higher odds of favorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with untreated HTN had significantly more favorable outcomes at 3 months after ischemic stroke compared to those with no or treated HTN when the stroke was LAA/CE with large vessel occlusion/stenosis. Untreated HTN patients also showed an association between higher MAP and favorable outcomes.

Evaluation of Blood Biomarkers and Parameters for the Prediction of Stroke Survivors' Functional Outcome upon Discharge Utilizing Explainable Machine Learning

Despite therapeutic advancements, stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability. The quality of current stroke prognostic models varies considerably, whereas prediction models of post-stroke disability and mortality are restricted by the sample size, the range of clinical and risk factors and the clinical applicability in general. Accurate prognostication can ease post-stroke discharge planning and help healthcare practitioners individualize aggressive treatment or palliative care, based on projected life expectancy and clinical course. In this study, we aimed to develop an explainable machine learning methodology to predict functional outcomes of stroke patients at discharge, using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) as a binary classification problem. We identified 35 parameters from the admission, the first 72 h, as well as the medical history of stroke patients, and used them to train the model. We divided the patients into two classes in two approaches: "Independent" vs. "Non-Independent" and "Non-Disability" vs. "Disability". Using various classifiers, we found that the best models in both approaches had an upward trend, with respect to the selected biomarkers, and achieved a maximum accuracy of 88.57% and 89.29%, respectively. The common features in both approaches included: age, hemispheric stroke localization, stroke localization based on blood supply, development of respiratory infection, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon admission and systolic blood pressure levels upon admission. Intubation and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels upon admission are additional features for the first approach and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) levels upon admission for the second. Our results suggest that the said factors may be important predictors of functional outcomes in stroke patients.

Blood pressure variability related to early outcome of acute ischemia stroke in a prospective observational study

Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for stroke, but the relationship between blood pressure variation (BPV) and prognosis remains unclear. This prospective observational study assessed the association between BPV and early functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. A total of 871 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 24 h of symptom onset were recruited from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University between 2013 and 2016. Within 6 days of hospitalization, blood pressure was continuously measured from 8:00 to 9:00 every day, and the coefficient of variation (CV) of blood pressure was calculated (including systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]). The modified Rankin scale was used to evaluate early functional outcomes at discharge. The coefficients of variation of SBP, DBP, and functional outcomes were included as primary outcome variables. Demographic characteristics and medical history were recorded as secondary outcome variables. We found that a greater CV level of SBP and DBP were associated with the poor early functional outcome at hospital discharge, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of them were 1.56 (1.04-2.35) and 1.99 (1.31-3.03) respectively. A higher standard deviation (SD) of SBP and DBP significantly increased risk of poor early prognosis, OR (95%CI) was 1.78 (1.17-2.71) and 2.25 (1.47-3.45) respectively. Similar results were observed for SBP and DBP. The larger the range of SBP and DBP, the worse is the prognosis. In conclusion, the present study suggests that high BPV is a risk factor for poor early prognosis in acute ischemic stroke.

Initial in-hospital heart rate is associated with three-month functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke

Background

Increased heart rate (HR) has been associated with stroke risk and outcomes.

Material and methods

We analyzed 1,420 patients from a hospital-based stroke registry with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Mean initial in-hospital HR and the coefficient of variation of HR (HR-CV) were derived from the values recorded during the first 3 days of hospitalization. The study outcome was the 3-month functional outcome. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

A higher mean HR level was significantly and continuously associated with a higher probability of unfavorable functional outcomes. Compared with the reference group (mean HR < 70 beats per minute), the multivariate-adjusted OR for an unfavorable outcome was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.25–2.61) for a mean HR ≥ 70 and < 80 beats per minute, 2.52 (95% CI, 1.66 − 3.52) for a mean HR ≥ 80 and < 90 beats per minute, and 3.88 (95% CI, 2.20–6.85) for mean HR ≥ 90 beats per minute. For stroke patients with a history of hypertension, the multivariate-adjusted OR for patients with a HR-CV ≥ 0.12 (versus patients with a HR-CV < 0.08 as a reference) was 1.73 (95% CI, 1.11–2.70) for an unfavorable outcome.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that a high initial in-hospital HR was significantly associated with unfavorable 3-month functional outcomes in patients with AIS. In addition, stroke patients with a HR-CV ≥ 0.12 also had unfavorable outcomes compared with those with a HR-CV < 0.08 if they had a history of hypertension.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-021-02252-2.

Population-based Study Comparing Predictors of Ischemic Stroke Recurrence After Index Ischemic Stroke in Non-elderly Adults with or without Diabetes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Factors associated with ischemic stroke (IS) recurrence and the contribution of pharmacological treatment as secondary preventions among nondiabetics especially in the non-elderly population are unclear and not widely investigated. This was a population-based study that aimed to identify recurrent IS predictors and to determine the possible impact of secondary preventive medications on the IS recurrence in non-elderly adults with or without diabetes.

METHODS

Data of 3386 patients <60 years old who had a history of index IS were extracted from the Malaysian National Neurology Registry (NNEUR) from 2009 to 2016. Recurrent IS was defined as any IS event recorded after the index IS in the NNEUR database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed by using SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was the significant predictor of IS recurrence in non-elderly adults both with or without diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 3.210; 95%CI: 1.909-5.398 and 2.989; 95%CI: 1.515-5.894) respectively). Receiving antiplatelet as secondary stroke prevention (AOR: 0.194; 95%CI: 0.046-0.817) and continuation of antidiabetic medication after the index IS event (AOR: 0.510; 95%CI: 0.298-0.872) reduced the odds of IS recurrence only in non-elderly diabetic adults. Among non-elderly adults without diabetes, hyperlipidemia and every increased in 1 mmHg of systolic blood pressure significantly increased the odds of IS recurrence following the indexing event (AOR: 1.796; 95%CI: 1.058-3.051 and 1.009; 95%CI: 1.002-1.016 respectively).

CONCLUSION

IHD was found as the main predictor of IS recurrence regardless of diabetes status in non-elderly adults after the index IS event. Receiving antidiabetic and antiplatelet medications upon discharge after index IS were significant predictors of recurrent IS in non-elderly diabetic adults. A proper randomized clinical trial may be required to determine the impact of secondary preventive medication on IS recurrence, especially in non-elderly adults.

Post-stroke BDNF concentration changes following proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises

Background:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in repairing normal as well as in the injured brain. Physical exercise may have a positive impact on the release of BDNF.

Objective:

PNF is a neurophysiological approach that facilitates the stimulation of central and peripheral nervous systems. In this study, our aim was to assess the levels of BDNF as well as functional recovery before and after the intervention of PNF in patients with acute stroke.

Methods:

A total of 208 patients with first time confirmed stroke were recruited and assessed for stroke severity, type, mini-mental state exam (MMSE), functional independence measure scale, and BDNF levels before and after PNF intervention. BDNF levels were also assessed in healthy individuals for control values.

Results:

A significant decline in levels of BDNF was observed after in stroke. BDNF levels in patients (with different risk factors) with diabetes, hypertension and DM+ HTN, alcohol, and smoking history were 8.8 ± 4.04 ng/mL, 8.86 ± 4.68 ng/mL, 8.65 ± 3.26 ng/mL, 8.51 ± 4.26 ng/mL, and 8.9 ± 3.4 ng/mL, respectively. A decline in BDNF levels was observed in accordance with the severity of stroke in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke with the least level being in severe stroke (NIHSS >15 and ICH >3). Despite the type of stroke and the presence of risk factors, a significant improvement in BDNF levels and FIM scale scores was seen in all subjects who received PNF exercises.

Conclusion:

Thus, PNF is efficient in improving functional level in acute stroke irrespective of the type of stroke and risk factors.

Protective Effect of Naoxintong Capsule () Combined with Guhong Injection () on Rat Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells during Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the synergistic effect of Naoxintong Capsule (NXTC, ) and Guhong Injection (GHI, ) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODS

Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: control group, oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) group, nimodipine group (9.375 mg/kg), NXTC group (0.5 g/kg), GHI group (5 mL/kg) and NXTC+GHI group (0.5 g/kg NXTC+5 mL/kg GHI), after the onset of reperfusion and once per day for the following 7 days. Blood was collected 1 h after final administration, and the sera were collected. Cultured primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) were subjected to OGD to establish a cell injury model. Untreated rBMECs were used as blank control. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to assess cell viability using the sera. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was evaluated after Hoechst33342 staining using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. JC-1 staining was performed to assess changes in mitochondrial membrane potential.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis indicated that more than 95% of the cells were rBMECs. Compared with the OGD group, the cellular morphology of the all drug delivery groups improved. In particular, the combined drug group had the most significant effect. Compared with the OGD group, all drug intervention groups induced a decrease in the apoptotic rate of rBMECs, increased the SOD levels, and decreased the MDA levels (all P<0.01). Compared with the mono-therapy groups, the NXTC+GHI group exhibited a significant improvement in the number of apoptotic rBMECs (P<0.01). All drug intervention groups showed different degrees of increase in membrane potential, and the NXTC+GHI group was higher than the NXTC or GHI group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The combinationa application of NXTC and GHI on cerebral I/R injury clearly resulted in protective benefits.

Acute blood pressure levels and long-term outcome in ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is common in acute ischemic stroke, but its effect on outcome is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the association of baseline BP and BP change within the first day after stroke with stroke severity, functional outcome, and mortality.

METHODS

Patients admitted to hospital with acute ischemic stroke (IS) from 15 February 2005 through 31 May 2009 were consecutively included. Acute stroke severity and functional outcome at three and twelve months were investigated using multivariate regression analysis; the association between BP and all-cause mortality at one, three, and twelve was investigated by Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

RESULTS

A total of 799 patients (mean age 78.4 ± 8.0, 48% men) were included. Higher decreases in systolic and mean arterial blood pressure (ΔSBP and ΔMAP) were associated with decreased 1-month mortality (ΔSBP: hazard ratio, HR: 0.981; 95% CI: 0.968 - 0.994; p = .005), 3-month mortality (ΔSBP: HR 0.989; 95% CI 0.981 - 0.998; p-value .014), and twelve-month mortality (ΔSBP: HR 0.989; 95% CI 0.982 - 0.996; p-value .003). Stroke severity was associated with ΔMAP (B coefficient -.46, p-value .011). Higher SBP and MAP on admission were associated with better functional outcome at three (SBP: OR 0.987; 95% CI 0.978 - 0.997; p-value .008 - MAP: OR 0.985; 95% CI 0.971 - 1; p-value .046) and twelve (SBP: OR 0.988; 95% CI 0.979 - 0.998; p-value .015 - MAP: OR 0.983; 95% CI 0.968 - 0.997; p-value .02) months.

CONCLUSION

In this elderly population, higher BP on arrival to the emergency room (ER) and decrease in BP after the patients' arrival to the ward were associated with improved functional outcome and reduced mortality, respectively. These results may reflect a regulatory situation in which elevated initial blood pressure indicates adequate response to cerebral tissue ischemia while subsequent blood pressure decrease instead may be a consequence of partial, successful reperfusion.