Blood pressure levels post mechanical thrombectomy and outcomes in large vessel occlusion strokes

Association of intraprocedural near admission-level blood pressure with functional outcome in stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy

BACKGROUND

Optimal blood pressure management during endovascular stroke treatment is not certain. We hypothesized that time or proportion of intraprocedural systolic blood pressure spent in a range around admission blood pressure might be associated with better clinical outcome.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study at a single center at a university hospital, which included patients from August 2018 to September 2020 suffering from acute ischemic stroke with anterior circulation vessel occlusion and treated with endovascular therapy. Time and proportion of procedure time where systolic blood pressure (SBP) was near the baseline SBP on admission (bSBP) were used as exposure variables. The primary outcome was the occurrence of mRS score 0-2 three months after stroke. The primary analysis was performed by fitting a logistic regression model adjusted for baseline NIHSS, pre-stroke mRS, mTICI score, intubation, age and sex.

RESULTS

We included 589 patients in the analysis. Mean (SD) age was 76 (12) years, 315 were women (53%) and mean (SD) NIHSS score at admission was 15 (7.5). Mean (SD) bSBP was 167 (28) mmHg and mean (SD) intraprocedural SBP was 147 (21) mmHg. The proportion of time where intraprocedural SBP was in range of bSBP ± 20% was associated with a slightly higher odds of achieving favorable outcome (adjusted OR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.0003-1.013).

CONCLUSION

A higher proportion of intraprocedural time with systolic blood pressure in range of ± 20% of the admission level is associated with higher odds of favorable functional outcome.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

A Randomized Trial on Hemodynamic Optimization of Cerebral Perfusion after Successful Endovascular Therapy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (HOPE)

INTRODUCTION

In patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusion, optimal blood pressure (BP) management following endovascular treatment (EVT) has not yet been established. The randomized trial on Hemodynamic Optimization of Cerebral Perfusion after Successful Endovascular Therapy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (HOPE) (clinicaltrials.gov id: NCT04892511) aims to demonstrate whether hemodynamic optimization using different systolic BP targets following EVT according to the degree of final recanalization, is more effective than currently recommended BP management in improving functional outcomes of patients with AIS.

METHODS

HOPE is an investigator-initiated multicenter clinical trial with randomized allocation, open-label treatment, and blinded endpoint evaluation (PROBE). Patients with an anterior circulation AIS within 24 h of symptom onset, treated with EVT, and showing successful recanalization (mTICI ≥2b) at the end of the procedure, are equally allocated (1:1) to hemodynamic optimization according to the study protocol versus BP management according to current guidelines (≤180/105 mm Hg). The protocol includes two different targets of systolic BP depending on the recanalization status (mTICI = 2b: 140-160 mm Hg; mTICI = 2c/3: 100-140 mm Hg). The protocol is applied within the first 72 h and includes BP lowering as well as vasopressor therapies when needed. The primary outcome is the proportion of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes include the shift on the mRS score, neurological deterioration, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

The HOPE trial will provide new information on the safety and efficacy of different BP targets following EVT according to the degree of final recanalization in patients with AIS.

Blood pressure targets after successful reperfusion in mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

This study sought to determine whether intensive blood pressure (BP) control for patients with successful reperfusion following acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is beneficial, compared to conventional BP management.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the subject. The studied outcomes included dependency or death at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 3-6); severe disability at 90 days (mRS 3-5); mortality at 90 days; and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were used to compare the treatment effects for categorical outcomes. We employed a fixed-effect model for analyses with low heterogeneity (I2 < 25%) and a random-effects model for analyses with higher heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 1519 patients were included, with 50% (n = 760) receiving intensive BP control (systolic BP < 140 mmHg). Functional disability or death at 90 days was significantly higher in the intensive group (54.9%) compared to the conventional treatment group (44.1%) (OR = 1.51; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.15-1.96; p = 0.003; I2 = 29%). Severe functional disability (mRS 3-5) was significantly higher in the intensive group (30.6% vs. 43.5%, OR = 1.75; 95%CI = 1.36-2.25; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%). There was no difference in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 1.13; 95%CI = 0.76-1.67) or mortality (OR = 1.22; 95%CI = 0.9-1.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive BP control is harmful in patients who underwent EVT for AIS and achieved successful reperfusion. It yields higher rates of functional dependence, with no differences in mortality or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Blood pressure management after endovascular thrombectomy: Insights of recent randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The ideal blood pressure (BP) target in patients who undergo endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) with successful reperfusion is uncertain. Observational studies show that elevated BP during this period is associated with a higher risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and worse clinical outcomes. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have explored whether intensive BP lowering improves clinical outcomes in these patients.

AIMS

This review aims to summarize the recent RCTs that compare intensive and conventional BP management strategies following EVT and discuss the innovative directions to improve.

RESULT

The recently published RCTs failed to demonstrate the benefit of intensive BP control on the functional outcome and decreasing the risk of ICH. The complex mechanism in cerebral blood flow regulation and the inappropriate BP range chosen in RCTs may be the reasons behind the inconsistent results between observational studies and RCTs. Individualized BP management, reducing BP variability, and multi-stage BP management should be paid more attention in future exploration.

CONCLUSION

Intensive BP target did not improve clinical outcomes after successful EVT as compared with a conventional BP target. Further research is required to identify the optimal BP management strategy after reperfusion.

Assessing Practice Variation of Anesthetic Management for Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Comprehensive Multicenter Survey

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the current global landscape of periprocedural care of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).

METHODS

An anonymous, 54-question electronic survey was sent to 354 recipients in hospitals worldwide. The responses were stratified by World Bank country income level into high-income (HICs) and low/middle-income (LMICs) countries.

RESULTS

A total of 354 survey invitations were issued. Two hundred twenty-three respondents started the survey, and 87 fully completed surveys were obtained from centers in which anesthesiologists were routinely involved in EVT care (38 in HICs; 49 in LMICs). Respondents from 35 (92.1%) HICs and 14 (28.6%) LMICs reported that their centers performed >50 EVTs annually. Respondents from both HICs and LMICs reported low rates of anesthesiologist involvement in pre-EVT care, though a communication system was in place in 100% of HIC centers and 85.7% of LMIC centers to inform anesthesiologists about potential EVTs. Respondents from 71.1% of HIC centers and 51% of LMIC centers reported following a published guideline during EVT management, though the use of cognitive aids was low in both (28.9% and 24.5% in HICs and LMICs, respectively). Variability in multiple areas of practice, including choice of anesthetic techniques, monitoring and management of physiological variables during EVT, and monitoring during intrahospital transport, were reported. Quality metrics were rarely tracked or reported to the anesthesiology teams.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated variability in anesthesiology involvement and in clinical care during and after EVT. Centers may consider routinely involving anesthesiologists in pre-EVT care, using evidence-based recommendations for EVT management, and tracking adherence to published guidelines and other quality metrics.

Systolic blood pressure reduction strategies in acute ischemic stroke patients following endovascular thrombectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is no clear consensus on ideal systolic blood pressure (SBP) target post-endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study intends to investigate the relationship between reducing SBP and clinical outcomes and to determine the therapeutic efficacy of moderate and intensive SBP reduction post EVT.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across five electronic databases to identify studies relevant to our analysis. Data from these studies were then analyzed using pooled relative risk (RR) along with their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for our categorical outcomes. functional independence at 90 days post-EVT was defined as a modified Rankin score (mRS) 0-2.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included eight studies with 2922 patients: 1376 patients were treated with intensive SBP reduction, 306 with moderate SBP reduction, and 1243 with standard SBP reduction. There was no difference in the risk of functional independence at 90 days post-EVT with both intensive-SBP reduction (target 120-140 mmHg, relative risk (RR) =1.05, 95 % CI 0.82, 1.34, p = 0.72) and moderate-SBP reduction (>160 mm Hg) (RR= 0.95, 95 % CI 0.69, 1.31, p = 0.76) compared with standard SBP reduction (>180 mm Hg). The risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) did not significantly differ between standard-SBP reduction and intensive-SBP reduction (RR = 0.93, 95 % CI 0.66, 1.31, p = 0.36) or moderate-SBP reduction (0.72 (95 % CI [0.28, 1.87], p = 0.50) groups, respectively. Intensive-SBP reduction significantly decreased the risk of hemicraniectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not identify any difference in functional independence at 90 days in acute ischemic stroke patients with either intensive-SBP reduction or moderate-SBP reduction compared with standard SBP reduction post-EVT.

Nomogram to predict prognosis in patients with posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of prognosis and hemorrhagic transformation after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (PC-AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion. We sought to develop a nomogram for predicting the risk of poor prognosis and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) in patients with PC-AIS.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 81 patients with PC-AIS who underwent MT treatment. We collected clinical information from the patients to assessed sICH and prognosis based on CT results and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. Subsequently, they were followed up for 3 months, and their prognosis was assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression to determine the factors affecting prognosis to construct a nomogram. The nomogram's performance was assessed through receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves, decision curve analysis, and clinical impact curves.

Results

Among the 81 patients with PC-AIS, 33 had a good prognosis, 48 had a poor prognosis, 19 presented with sICH, and 62 did not present with sICH. The results of the LASSO regression indicated that variables, including HPT, baseline NIHSS score, peak SBP, SBP CV, SBP SD, peak SBP, DBP CV, HbA1c, and BG SD, were predictors of patient prognosis. Variables such as AF, peak SBP, and peak DBP predicted the risk of sICH. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that baseline NIHSS score (OR = 1.115, 95% CI 1.002-1.184), peak SBP (OR = 1.060, 95% CI 1.012-1.111), SBP CV (OR = 1.296, 95% CI 1.036-1.621) and HbA1c (OR = 3.139, 95% CI 1.491-6.609) were independent risk factors for prognosis. AF (OR = 6.823, 95% CI 1.606-28.993), peak SBP (OR = 1.058, 95% CI 1.013-1.105), and peak DBP (OR = 1.160, 95% CI 1.036-1.298) were associated with the risk of sICH. In the following step, nomograms were developed, demonstrating good discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.

Conclusion

We constructed nomograms to predict poor prognosis and risk of sICH in patients with PC-AIS undergoing MT. The model exhibited good discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.

Association of blood pressure and outcomes differs upon cerebral perfusion post-thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

The relationship between post-endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) blood pressure (BP) and outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains contentious. We aimed to explore whether this association differs with different cerebral perfusion statuses post-EVT.

METHODS

In a multicenter observational study of patients with AIS with large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT, we enrolled those who accepted CT perfusion (CTP) imaging within 24 hours post-EVT. We recorded post-EVT systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP. Patients were stratified into favorable perfusion and unfavorable perfusion groups based on the hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) on CTP. The primary outcome was good functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score of ≤3). Secondary outcomes included early neurological deterioration, infarct size growth, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Of the 415 patients studied (mean age 62 years, 75% male), 233 (56%) achieved good functional outcomes. Logistic regression showed that post-EVT HIR and 24-hour mean SBP were significantly associated with functional outcomes. Among the 326 (79%) patients with favorable perfusion, SBP <140 mmHg was associated with a higher percentage of good functional outcomes compared with SBP ≥140 mmHg (68% vs 52%; aOR 1.70 (95% CI 1.00 to 2.89), P=0.04). However, no significant difference was observed between SBP and functional outcomes in the unfavorable perfusion group. There was also no discernible difference between SBP and secondary outcomes across the different perfusion groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with favorable perfusion post-EVT, SBP <140 mmHg was associated with good functional outcomes, which underscores the need for further investigations with larger sample sizes or a more individualized BP management strategy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR1900022154.

Functional Outcomes Associated With Blood Pressure Decrease After Endovascular Thrombectomy

Importance

The associations between blood pressure (BP) decreases induced by medication and functional outcomes in patients with successful endovascular thrombectomy remain uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate whether BP reductions induced by intravenous BP medications are associated with poor functional outcomes at 3 months.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study was a post hoc analysis of the Outcome in Patients Treated With Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control trial, a comparison of intensive and conventional BP management during the 24 hours after successful recanalization from June 18, 2020, to November 28, 2022. This study included 302 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy, achieved successful recanalization, and exhibited elevated BP within 2 hours of successful recanalization at 19 stroke centers in South Korea.

Exposure

A BP decrease was defined as at least 1 event of systolic BP less than 100 mm Hg. Patients were divided into medication-induced BP decrease (MIBD), spontaneous BP decrease (SpBD), and no BP decrease (NoBD) groups.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was a modified Rankin scale score of 0 to 2 at 3 months, indicating functional independence. Primary safety outcomes were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage within 36 hours and mortality due to index stroke within 3 months.

Results

Of the 302 patients (median [IQR] age, 75 [66-82] years; 180 [59.6%] men), 47 (15.6%)were in the MIBD group, 39 (12.9%) were in the SpBD group, and 216 (71.5%) were in the NoBD group. After adjustment for confounders, the MIBD group exhibited a significantly smaller proportion of patients with functional independence at 3 months compared with the NoBD group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20-0.98). There was no significant difference in functional independence between the SpBD and NoBD groups (AOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.58-3.49). Compared with the NoBD group, the MIBD group demonstrated higher odds of mortality within 3 months (AOR, 5.15; 95% CI, 1.42-19.4). The incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was not significantly different among the groups (MIBD vs NoBD: AOR, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.54-5.88; SpBD vs NoBD: AOR, 2.75; 95% CI, 0.76-9.46).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of patients with successful endovascular thrombectomy after stroke, MIBD within 24 hours after successful recanalization was associated with poor outcomes at 3 months. These findings suggested lowering systolic BP to below 100 mm Hg using BP medication might be harmful.

Intensive Versus Standard Blood Pressure Management after Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Prospective clinical studies on blood pressure (BP) management targets after endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have recently been published. Our objective was to assess the impact on clinical outcomes of BP management guided by established systolic BP (SBP) targets within the first 24 hours after successful EVT. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 1556 participants across 5 SBP target settings identified from 5 databases up to September 6, 2023 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. All the intensive SBP target groups in these RCTs were combined to facilitate head-to-head comparisons. Patients receiving intensive SBP management had lower risk of 90-day functional independence as assessed by the modified Rankin scale score (relative risk [RR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 0.91; I2, 12%), excellent outcomes (RR,0.86; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; I2, 7%), favorable outcomes (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.92; I2, 0%), and quality of life (standardized mean difference, -0.22; 95% CI, -0.35 to -0.10; I2,0%). There were no differences in the probability of any intracerebral hemorrhage (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.19; I2,0%), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.60; I2, 0%), stroke-related death (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.68; I2, 0%), or parenchymal hematoma (RR, 1.71; 95% CI, 0.74 to 3.98; I2, 47%) between SBP targets. This meta-analysis provides evidence from RCTs suggesting that intensive SBP control (target<160 mm Hg) may be detrimental to clinical outcomes in AIS patients with successful reperfusion after EVT.

Blood Pressure Variability in Acute Stroke: A Narrative Review

The management of blood pressure variability (BPV) in acute stroke presents a complex challenge with profound implications for patient outcomes. This narrative review examines the role of BPV across various stages of acute stroke care, highlighting its impact on treatment strategies and prognostic considerations. In the prehospital setting, while guidelines lack specific recommendations for BP management, emerging evidence suggests a potential link between BPV and outcomes. Among ischaemic stroke patients who are ineligible for reperfusion therapies, BPV independently influences functional outcomes, emphasising the need for individualised approaches to BP control. During intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy, the intricate interplay between BP levels, recanalisation status, and BPV is evident. Striking a balance between aggressive BP lowering and avoiding hypoperfusion-related complications is essential. Intracerebral haemorrhage management is further complicated by BPV, which emerges as a predictor of mortality and disability, necessitating nuanced BP management strategies. Finally, among patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage, increased BPV may be correlated with a rebleeding risk and worse outcomes, emphasizing the need for BPV monitoring in this population. Integration of BPV assessment into clinical practice and research protocols is crucial for refining treatment strategies that are tailored to individual patient needs. Future studies should explore novel interventions targeting BPV modulation to optimise stroke care outcomes.

Blood Pressure Trajectories and Outcomes After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

Data on systolic blood pressure (SBP) trajectories in the first 24 hours after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke are limited. We sought to identify these trajectories and their relationship to outcomes.

METHODS

We combined individual-level data from 5 studies of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent EVT and had individual blood pressure values after the end of the procedure. We used group-based trajectory analysis to identify the number and shape of SBP trajectories post-EVT. We used mixed effects regression models to identify associations between trajectory groups and outcomes adjusting for potential confounders and reported the respective adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and common odds ratios.

RESULTS

There were 2640 total patients with acute ischemic stroke included in the analysis. The most parsimonious model identified 4 distinct SBP trajectories, that is, general directional patterns after repeated SBP measurements: high, moderate-high, moderate, and low. Patients in the higher blood pressure trajectory groups were older, had a higher prevalence of vascular risk factors, presented with more severe stroke syndromes, and were less likely to achieve successful recanalization after the EVT. In the adjusted analyses, only patients in the high-SBP trajectory were found to have significantly higher odds of early neurological deterioration (aOR, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.20-2.82]), intracranial hemorrhage (aOR, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.31-2.59]), mortality (aOR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.21-2.53), death or disability (aOR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.15-2.31]), and worse functional outcomes (adjusted common odds ratio,1.92 [95% CI, 1.47-2.50]).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients follow distinct SBP trajectories in the first 24 hours after an EVT. Persistently elevated SBP after the procedure is associated with unfavorable short-term and long-term outcomes.

Time-dependent systolic blood pressure within 72 h after endovascular treatment in large vessel occlusion stroke

BACKGROUND

The association of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and ischemic stroke outcome has recently been proved to be varied at different time points within 72 h after acute ischemic stroke onset; however, the specific status of how SBP affects prognosis at different time points within 72 h after endovascular treatment (EVT) among patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) remains unclear.

METHODS

Consecutive LVO patients treated with EVT were enrolled in our study. BP data were collected at eight time points (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h post-EVT). Outcome measure of interest was functional dependence, which was defined as mRS >2 at 90 days.

RESULTS

A total of 406 LVO patients treated with EVT from 2016 to 2022 were included. At 16 h after EVT, the relationship between SBP and functional dependence showed a nonlinear association. At other time points after EVT, SBP had linear relationships with functional dependence. Furthermore, higher SBP, as either a linear or quadratic term, had an adverse effect on functional outcome. In addition, three SBP trajectories were observed, and the high-to-low group was independently associated with functional dependence.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, higher SBP within the first 72 h after EVT has a time-dependent association with adverse clinical outcomes. Optimal blood pressure management during the first 72 h after EVT may be important to improve clinical outcome.

Association between blood pressure variability and outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: An individual patient data meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Data on the association between blood pressure variability (BPV) after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and outcomes are limited. We sought to identify whether BPV within the first 24 hours post EVT was associated with key stroke outcomes.

METHODS

We combined individual patient-data from five studies among AIS-patients who underwent EVT, that provided individual BP measurements after the end of the procedure. BPV was estimated as either systolic-BP (SBP) standard deviation (SD) or coefficient of variation (CV) over 24 h post-EVT. We used a logistic mixed-effects model to estimate the association [expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aOR)] between tertiles of BPV and outcomes of 90-day mortality, 90-day death or disability [modified Rankin Scale-score (mRS) > 2], 90-day functional impairment (⩾1-point increase across all mRS-scores), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), adjusting for age, sex, stroke severity, co-morbidities, pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis, successful recanalization, and mean SBP and diastolic-BP levels within the first 24 hours post EVT.

RESULTS

There were 2640 AIS-patients included in the analysis. The highest tertile of SBP-SD was associated with higher 90-day mortality (aOR:1.44;95% CI:1.08-1.92), 90-day death or disability (aOR:1.49;95% CI:1.18-1.89), and 90-day functional impairment (adjusted common OR:1.42;95% CI:1.18-1.72), but not with sICH (aOR:1.22;95% CI:0.76-1.98). Similarly, the highest tertile of SBP-CV was associated with higher 90-day mortality (aOR:1.33;95% CI:1.01-1.74), 90-day death or disability (aOR:1.50;95% CI:1.19-1.89), and 90-day functional impairment (adjusted common OR:1.38;95% CI:1.15-1.65), but not with sICH (aOR:1.33;95% CI:0.83-2.14).

CONCLUSIONS

BPV after EVT appears to be associated with higher mortality and disability, independently of mean BP levels within the first 24 h post EVT. BPV in the first 24 h may be a novel target to improve outcomes after EVT for AIS.

Intensive vs Conventional Blood Pressure Control After Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), but optimal post-EVT blood pressure (BP) control remains debated.

Objective

To assess the association of different systolic BP targets following EVT with functional outcomes, mortality, and complications in patients with AIS due to LVO.

Data Sources

Systematic review and meta-analysis of databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) to September 8, 2023.

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized clinical trials examining post-EVT management of systolic BP in patients with AIS and LVO comparing intensive vs conventional targets. Nonrandomized studies, observational studies, noninterventional trials, meeting abstracts, duplicate studies, studies with overlapping data, and non-English language studies were excluded. Two authors independently applied these criteria through a blinded review, with discrepancies resolved through consensus. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Three authors extracted data regarding study characteristics, baseline patient data, and outcomes of interest. The pooled data were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Rates of functional independence, 90-day mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and hypotensive events.

Results

A total of 4 randomized clinical trials with 1571 initially enrolled patients were included in the analysis. Lower functional independence rates were observed in the intensive control group (relative risk [RR], 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67-0.98]). No significant differences were found in 90-day mortality (RR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.92-1.52]), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.75-1.67]), or hypotensive events (RR, 1.80 [95% CI, 0.37-8.76]). There was minimal heterogeneity among the studies included in the functional independence outcome (I2 = 13% and τ2 = 0.003), which was absent among other outcomes (I2 = 0 and τ2 = 0).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that intensive post-EVT BP reduction does not yield benefits and may carry risks. While awaiting the results of additional ongoing trials, a conservative BP management strategy after endovascular recanalization is favored in daily practice.

Standard Versus Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Successfully Treated With Endovascular Thrombectomy: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The optimal blood pressure (BP) control after successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) remains debatable. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the efficacy and safety of standard BP control (with systolic BP ≤180 mm Hg) versus intensive BP control (systolic BP <140 mm Hg) during the 24 hours after successful EVT in AIS with LVO.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase were searched to identify relevant trials. The crude odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and estimates using random-effects models were pooled. This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023450673).

RESULTS

Four RCTs involving 1,559 participants were included. Regarding efficacy outcomes, intensive BP control was associated with a lower likelihood of functional independence (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.51-0.91 for modified Rankin Scale [mRS] ≤2) and walking without assistance (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.53-0.81 for mRS ≤3). For safety outcomes, consistent with the efficacy findings, intensive BP control was significantly associated with severe disability or death (mRS 5 or 6) (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.07-1.69). However, there were no significant differences including all-cause mortality, any intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH, parenchymal hematoma type 2, and stroke recurrence.

CONCLUSION

While all four RCTs were conducted to demonstrate the superiority of intensive BP control over standard BP control, standard BP control may be beneficial for the outcome after EVT for AIS with LVO without increasing adverse safety outcomes. Caution should be needed with the application of intensive BP control during the 24 hours following successful recanalization after EVT.

Collateral Status Modification of the Association Between Blood Pressure Variation Within 72 Hours After Endovascular Treatment and Clinical Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Blood pressure variation and collateral status have been reported to be associated with clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke who received endovascular treatment; however, the relationship between blood pressure variation within 72 hours after EVT and clinical outcome in different collateral status remains unclear.

Methods

Acute ischemic stroke patients due to large vessel occlusion with EVT were retrospectively enrolled. We classified participants into poor collateral (ASITN/SIR grade <2) and good collateral subgroups (ASITN/SIR grade ≥2). The primary outcome was unfavorable neurological outcome defined as a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥2. The interactive effect was tested to determine the influence of collateral status on the association between BP variation and clinical outcome.

Results

A total of 545 patients were included. The poor collateral subgroup was detected in 198 patients with an average age of 70.2 years. The association between BP variation and primary outcome did not differ under different collateral status (P for interaction >0.05). However, the association between the mean and coefficient of variation (CV) values of DBP and 3-month mortality was significantly discrepant under different collateral status (P for interaction <0.05). In the good collateral subgroup, higher mean DBP was associated with a lower risk of 3-month mortality (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-1, P = 0.033) compared with the poor subgroup (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97-1.1, P = 0.286). In addition, a higher CV of DBP was associated with a higher risk of 3-month mortality (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13-1.36, P < 0.01) compared with poor status (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.94-1.23, P=0.275).

Conclusion

For patients who received EVT with good collateral status, increased CV of DBP was significantly associated with higher 3-month mortality, while higher mean DBP within 72 h after EVT was associated with a decrease in 3-month mortality.

Blood Pressure Management After Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: The BEST-II Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The effects of moderate systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering after successful recanalization with endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke are uncertain.

Objective

To determine the futility of lower SBP targets after endovascular therapy (<140 mm Hg or 160 mm Hg) compared with a higher target (≤180 mm Hg).

Design, Setting, and Participants

Randomized, open-label, blinded end point, phase 2, futility clinical trial that enrolled 120 patients with acute ischemic stroke who had undergone successful endovascular therapy at 3 US comprehensive stroke centers from January 2020 to March 2022 (final follow-up, June 2022).

Intervention

After undergoing endovascular therapy, participants were randomized to 1 of 3 SBP targets: 40 to less than 140 mm Hg, 40 to less than 160 mm Hg, and 40 to 180 mm Hg or less (guideline recommended) group, initiated within 60 minutes of recanalization and maintained for 24 hours.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prespecified multiple primary outcomes for the primary futility analysis were follow-up infarct volume measured at 36 (±12) hours and utility-weighted modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (range, 0 [worst] to 1 [best]) at 90 (±14) days. Linear regression models were used to test the harm-futility boundaries of a 10-mL increase (slope of 0.5) in the follow-up infarct volume or a 0.10 decrease (slope of -0.005) in the utility-weighted mRS score with each 20-mm Hg SBP target reduction after endovascular therapy (1-sided α = .05). Additional prespecified futility criterion was a less than 25% predicted probability of success for a future 2-group, superiority trial comparing SBP targets of the low- and mid-thresholds with the high-threshold (maximum sample size, 1500 with respect to the utility-weighted mRS score outcome).

Results

Among 120 patients randomized (mean [SD] age, 69.6 [14.5] years; 69 females [58%]), 113 (94.2%) completed the trial. The mean follow-up infarct volume was 32.4 mL (95% CI, 18.0 to 46.7 mL) for the less than 140-mm Hg group, 50.7 mL (95% CI, 33.7 to 67.7 mL), for the less than 160-mm Hg group, and 46.4 mL (95% CI, 24.5 to 68.2 mL) for the 180-mm Hg or less group. The mean utility-weighted mRS score was 0.51 (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.63) for the less than 140-mm Hg group, 0.47 (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.60) for the less than 160-mm Hg group, and 0.58 (95% CI, 0.46 to 0.71) for the high-target group. The slope of the follow-up infarct volume for each mm Hg decrease in the SBP target, adjusted for the baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score, was -0.29 (95% CI, -0.81 to ∞; futility P = .99). The slope of the utility-weighted mRS score for each mm Hg decrease in the SBP target after endovascular therapy, adjusted for baseline utility-weighted mRS score, was -0.0019 (95% CI, -∞ to 0.0017; futility P = .93). Comparing the high-target SBP group with the lower-target groups, the predicted probability of success for a future trial was 25% for the less than 140-mm Hg group and 14% for the 160-mm Hg group.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients with acute ischemic stroke, lower SBP targets less than either 140 mm Hg or 160 mm Hg after successful endovascular therapy did not meet prespecified criteria for futility compared with an SBP target of 180 mm Hg or less. However, the findings suggested a low probability of benefit from lower SBP targets after endovascular therapy if tested in a future larger trial.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04116112.

Intensive vs Conventional Blood Pressure Lowering After Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The OPTIMAL-BP Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Optimal blood pressure (BP) control after successful reperfusion with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke is unclear.

Objective

To determine whether intensive BP management during the first 24 hours after successful reperfusion leads to better clinical outcomes than conventional BP management in patients who underwent EVT.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Multicenter, randomized, open-label trial with a blinded end-point evaluation, conducted across 19 stroke centers in South Korea from June 2020 to November 2022 (final follow-up, March 8, 2023). It included 306 patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke treated with EVT and with a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or greater (partial or complete reperfusion).

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned to receive intensive BP management (systolic BP target <140 mm Hg; n = 155) or conventional management (systolic BP target 140-180 mm Hg; n = 150) for 24 hours after enrollment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was functional independence at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2). The primary safety outcomes were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage within 36 hours and death related to the index stroke within 3 months.

Results

The trial was terminated early based on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board, which noted safety concerns. Among 306 randomized patients, 305 were confirmed eligible and 302 (99.0%) completed the trial (mean age, 73.0 years; 122 women [40.4%]). The intensive management group had a lower proportion achieving functional independence (39.4%) than the conventional management group (54.4%), with a significant risk difference (-15.1% [95% CI, -26.2% to -3.9%]) and adjusted odds ratio (0.56 [95% CI, 0.33-0.96]; P = .03). Rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were 9.0% in the intensive group and 8.1% in the conventional group (risk difference, 1.0% [95% CI, -5.3% to 7.3%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.48-2.53]; P = .82). Death related to the index stroke within 3 months occurred in 7.7% of the intensive group and 5.4% of the conventional group (risk difference, 2.3% [95% CI, -3.3% to 7.9%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.73 [95% CI, 0.61-4.92]; P = .31).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients who achieved successful reperfusion with EVT for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion, intensive BP management for 24 hours led to a lower likelihood of functional independence at 3 months compared with conventional BP management. These results suggest that intensive BP management should be avoided after successful EVT in acute ischemic stroke.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04205305.

Blood pressure variability and short-term outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES

There is limited data evaluating effects of post-mechanical thrombectomy (MT) blood pressure (BP) control on short-term clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). We aim to investigate the association of BP variations, after MT, with stroke early outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on AIS patients with LVO undergoing MT at a tertiary center over 3.5 years. Hourly BP data was recorded within the first 24- and 48-hours post-MT. BP variability was expressed as the interquartile range (IQR) of BP distribution. Short-term favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-3, discharge to home or inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF).

RESULTS

Of the 95 enrolled subjects, 37(38.9%) had favorable outcomes at discharge and 8 (8.4%) died. After adjustment for confounders, an increase in IQR of systolic blood pressure (SBP) within the first 24 hours after MT revealed a significant inverse association with favorable outcomes (OR 0.43, 95% CI [0.19, 0.96], p = 0.039). Increased median MAP within the first 24 hours after MT correlated with favorable outcomes (OR 1.75, 95% CI [1.09, 2.83], p = 0.021). Subgroup analysis redemonstrated significant inverse association between increased SBP IQR and favorable outcomes (OR 0.48, 95% CI [0.21, 0.97], p = 0.042) among patients with successful revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-MT high SBP variability was associated with worse short-term outcomes in AIS patients with LVO regardless of recanalization status. MAP values may be used as indicators for functional prognosis.

Blood pressure targets for acute ischemic stroke patients following endovascular thrombectomy: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this meta-analysis was to explore the impact of different blood pressure levels following endovascular therapy on clinical outcomes, including safety and efficacy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, covering studies published before February 1, 2023. Our primary outcomes were 90-day mRs 0-2 score, 90-day mortality, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(sICH), and hemicraniectomy.

RESULTS

The incidence of 90-day mRs= 2 score was no significant difference between different blood pressure values (OR=1.37, 95 % CI [0.82, 2.29], p = 0.23) with heterogeneity (I2 =85 %, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that when the blood pressure targets were SBP< 140 mmHg (OR=1.73, 95 % CI [1.04, 2.90], p = 0.04) with heterogeneity (I2 =37 %, p = 0.20), and SBP< 130 mmHg (OR=1.58, 95 % CI [0.53, 4.70], p = 0.41) with heterogeneity (I2 =80 %, p = 0.02), there were statistic differences in the incidence of 90-day modified mRs 0-2 score. Regarding 90-day mortality, there was no significant difference between different blood pressure values (OR=0.75, 95 % CI [0.47, 1.21], p = 0.24; I2 =69 %, p = 0.007). As for the incidence of sICH, the difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.82, 95 % CI [0.61, 1.09], p = 0.17; I2 =24 %, p = 0.26). However, subgroup analysis was performed due to different blood pressure values, and it was found that when the blood pressure targets were SBP＜140 mmHg (OR=0.49, 95 % CI [0.28, 0.87], p = 0.02) and SBP＜120 mmHg (OR = 0.84, 95 % CI [0.58, 1.23], p = 0.37), there were statistic differences in the incidence of sICH with SBP＜140 mmHg. Furthermore, SBP＜140 mmHg was associated with a lower incidence of hemicraniectomy (OR = 0.30, 95 % CI [0.15, 0.58], p＜0.001). PROSPERO Register Number: CRD42022376706 CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis findings indicate that intensive treatment is advantageous for achieving successful reperfusion in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT). For different blood pressure targets (SBP < 140mmhg, SBP < 130mmhg, SBP < 120mmhg), with a reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) to less than 140 mmHg appearing to confer the greatest benefit. Furthermore, this study provides a significant blood pressure target that could inform the design of future multicentre, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomized controlled trials.

Hemorrhagic Conversion of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; a serious complication of ischemic stroke is hemorrhagic transformation. Current treatment of acute ischemic stroke includes endovascular thrombectomy and thrombolytic therapy. Both of these treatment options are linked with increased risks of hemorrhagic conversion. The diagnosis and timely management of patients with hemorrhagic conversion is critically important to patient outcomes. This review aims to discuss hemorrhagic conversion of acute ischemic stroke including discussion of the pathophysiology, review of risk factors, imaging considerations, and treatment of patients with hemorrhagic conversion.

Blood pressure management in ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy

The relationship between presenting blood pressure in acute ischemic stroke patients and outcome is complex. Several studies have demonstrated a U-shaped curve with worse outcomes when blood pressure is high or low. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines recommend values of blood pressure < 185/110 mmHg in patients treated with intravenous t-PA and "permissive hypertension" up to 220/120 mmHg in those not treated with intravenous t-PA. The optimal blood pressure target is less clear in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Before thrombectomy, the guidelines recommend a blood pressure < 185/110 mmHg though patients with even lower systolic blood pressures may have better outcomes. During and after thrombectomy, the guidelines recommend a blood pressure < 180/105 mmHg. However, several studies have suggested that during thrombectomy the primary goal should be to prevent significant low blood pressure (e.g., target systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg or MAP > 70 mmHg). After thrombectomy, the primary goal should be to prevent high blood pressure (e.g., target systolic blood pressure < 160 mmHg or MAP < 90 mmHg). To make more specific recommendations, large, randomized-control studies are needed that address factors such as the baseline blood pressure, timing and degree of revascularization, status of collaterals, and estimated risk of reperfusion injury.

Perioperative Management of the Acute Stroke Patient: From Door to Needle to NeuroICU

Acute ischemic stroke is a neurologic emergency that requires precise care due to high likelihood of morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines recommend thrombolytic therapy with alteplase within the first 3 to 4.5 hours of initial stroke symptoms and endovascular mechanical thrombectomy within the first 16 to 24 hours. Anesthesiologists may be involved in the care of these patients perioperatively and in the intensive care unit. Although the optimal anesthetic for these procedures remains under investigation, this article will review how to best optimize and treat these patients to achieve the best outcomes.

The second randomized controlled ENhanced Control of Hypertension ANd Thrombectomy strokE stuDy (ENCHANTED2): Protocol and progress

BACKGROUND

Uncertainty exists over the optimal level of blood pressure (BP) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

OBJECTIVES

We aim to determine the effectiveness and safety of intensive BP-lowering following MT reperfusion of large-vessel occlusion (LVO)-related AIS.

DESIGN

The second ENhanced Control of Hypertension ANd Thrombolysis strokE stuDy (ENCHANTED2) is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint (PROBE) trial of intensive systolic BP (SBP) control in reperfused (extended treatment in cerebral infarction (eTICI) classification 2b/2c/3) LVO-AIS patients with persistent hypertension (SBP ⩾ 140 mmHg) at 60+ sites in China, and Australia and the United Kingdom. Eligible patients are centrally randomly allocated to more- (target SBP ⩽ 120 mmHg within 1 h) or less-intensive (target SBP 140-180 mmHg) BP management, to be maintained for 72 h. Primary outcome is an ordinal shift analysis of scores on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days. Sample size of 2257 patients provides 90% power to detect a 6.5% absolute reduction in poor outcome from more-intensive BP-lowering using ordinal logistic regression.

PROGRESS

Recruitment started in China in July 2020. At a meeting of the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board in March 2022 to review primary outcome data available for 347 patients, they recommended suspension of recruitment due to safety concerns in the more-intensive group; which was implemented by the Trial Steering Committee (TSC) with 817 randomized patients only in China. The TSC then stopped recruitment after the safety concerns persisted on further review of the data in June 2022. The TSC will make a decision on restarting the trial with modification of the protocol when the results are made public.

DISCUSSION

ENCHANTED2 will provide further randomized evidence on the role of intensive BP-lowering after reperfusion in MT-treated AIS patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04140110; registered 25 October 2019.

Efficacy of Early Intensive Blood Pressure Management After Thrombectomy: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (IDENTIFY)

BACKGROUND

The optimal strategy for blood pressure management after thrombectomy remains unknown. The primary objective of The Early Intensive Blood Pressure Management after Endovascular Thrombectomy (IDENTIFY) study is to explore the efficacy and safety of early intensive blood pressure management strategies after thrombectomy compared with that of standard management.

METHODS

The IDENTIFY study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded multicenter clinical trial. Patients with acute anterior circulation ischaemic stroke who underwent endovascular thrombectomy within 6 h of stroke onset, achieved successful recanalization, and had two consecutive blood pressure readings > 130 mm Hg during the first 6 h after thrombectomy will be enrolled and centrally randomized into intensive or standard management groups in a 1:1 ratio. Continuous blood pressure monitoring will be initiated at the end of thrombectomy, and patients with high blood pressure during the transfer to the wards will also be enrolled. For patients in the intensive management group, the target blood pressure will be < 130 mm Hg, and the use of antihypertensive drugs will be discontinued if systolic blood pressure goes below 110 mm Hg. The target blood pressure for the standard management group will be < 180 mm Hg, and if systolic blood pressure decreases below 140 mm Hg, the use of antihypertensive drugs will be stepwise decreased until the systolic blood pressure reaches 140 mm Hg again or the infusion is discontinued. Patients will have their blood pressure reduced to the target range within 1 h from randomization and maintained until 24 h after thrombectomy with intravenous hypertensive drugs. A sample size of 600 was predicted. The primary outcome will be the rate of dependency (modified Rankin Scale scores 3-6) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes will include intracerebral hemorrhage (either symptomatic or asymptomatic) within 24 h and 7 days, malignant brain oedema, all-cause death, death and severe disability at 90 days, and quality of life at 90 days, which will be measured using the EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Safety outcomes will include stroke recurrence within 24 h, early neurological deterioration, hypotension within 24 h, death within 7 days after endovascular thrombectomy, and all-cause acute kidney injury. Trial registration chictr.org.cn (identifier: ChiCTR2200057770). Registered March 17, 2022, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=162575&htm=4.

The 2020 Taiwan Stroke Society guidelines for blood pressure control at the acute stage of ischemic stroke

The 2020 Taiwan Stroke Society (TSS) guidelines for blood pressure (BP) control related to ischemic stroke update the 2015 TSS BP guidelines. The early management of acute ischemic stroke has evolved rapidly in the previous two decades. Since the publication of the previous version of the TSS BP guidelines, many studies have addressed BP management in ischemic stroke. Particularly, several successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) trials published in 2015 led to a new era of acute treatment for ischemic stroke. With the ever-increasing use of EVT, evidence-based guidelines for ideal BP management during and after EVT are urgently needed. Consequently, the 2020 guidelines are updating and providing recommendations on BP control for the treatment and prevention of ischemic stroke based on new evidence. The present study encompasses the most important chapter of the 2020 Taiwan BP guidelines: BP control at the acute stage of ischemic stroke. We incorporated the most updated evidence regarding BP control at the acute stage of ischemic stroke in patients receiving or not receiving acute reperfusion therapy and provided specific recommendations for different treatment subgroups accordingly.

Periprocedure Management of Blood Pressure After Acute Ischemic Stroke

The management of acute ischemic stroke primarily revolves around the timely restoration of blood flow (recanalization/reperfusion) in the occluded vessel and maintenance of cerebral perfusion through collaterals before reperfusion. Mechanical thrombectomy is the most effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusions in appropriately selected patients. Judicious management of blood pressure before, during, and after mechanical thrombectomy is critical to ensure good outcomes by preventing progression of cerebral ischemia as well hemorrhagic conversion, in addition to optimizing systemic perfusion. While direct evidence to support specific hemodynamic targets around mechanical thrombectomy is limited, there is increasing interest in this area. Newer approaches to blood pressure management utilizing individualized cerebral autoregulation-based targets are being explored. Early efforts at utilizing machine learning to predict blood pressure treatment thresholds and therapies also seem promising; this focused review aims to provide an update on recent evidence around periprocedural blood pressure management after acute ischemic stroke, highlighting its implications for clinical practice while identifying gaps in current literature.

Impact of leukoaraiosis or blood pressure on clinical outcome, mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke

We aimed to study the impact of leukoaraiosis (LA) and blood pressure (BP) on clinical outcome, mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We analyzed data retrospectively from 521 patients with anterior large vessel occlusion treated with MT. LA was dichotomized in 0-2 (absent-to-moderate) versus 3-4 (moderate-to-severe) according to the van Swieten scale. Various systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP parameters during the first 24 h were collected. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify predictors of a poor 90-day outcome, mortality and sICH. LA was significantly associated with poor outcome (OR 3.2; p < 0.001) and mortality (OR 3.19; p = 0.008), but not sICH (p = 0.19). Higher maximum SBP was significantly associated with poor outcome (OR per 10 mmHg increase = 1.21; p = 0.009) and lower mean DBP was a predictor of mortality (OR per 10 mmHg increase = 0.53; p < 0.001). In the univariate analysis high SBP variability was associated with poor outcome, mortality and sICH, but not in the multivariate model. There was no association between BP and sICH. Severity of LA, SBP variability, high maximum SBP and low DBP are associated with either poor outcome or mortality in AIS patients undergoing MT. However, neither LA nor BP were associated with sICH in our cohort. Thus, mechanisms of the negative impact on outcome remain unclear. Further studies on impact of BP course and its mechanisms and interventions are needed to improve outcome in patients undergoing MT.

Effect of blood pressure on the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusion without recanalization

PURPOSE

To explore the effect of blood pressure on the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusion without recanalization.

METHODS

Acute ischemic stroke patients caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusion without recanalization were retrospectively collected. All patients were divided into the functional independent group and non-functional independent group, death group and non-death group based on the 90-day mRS score. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between the highest systolic blood pressure, the average systolic blood pressure, the lowest systolic blood pressure, the highest diastolic blood pressure, the average diastolic blood pressure, the lowest diastolic blood pressure in the first 24 h after admission and the functional prognosis as well as the complications after 90 days. The independent impact factors selected from regression analysis were used to investigate the blood pressure with prognostic value by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients were recruited in this study. Among them, 39 cases (55.71%) were male and 31 cases (44.29%) were female, with a mean age of 61.83 ± 15.24 years old. 15 cases (21.43%) had a favorable 90-day outcome, and the other 55 cases (78.57%) had a higher mRS Score. After a 90-day follow-up, univariate analysis showed that hypertension and hyperlipidemia, highest systolic blood pressure, mean systolic blood pressure and NIHSS score were statistically significant in two groups with or without functional independence, while the NIHSS score at admission, systolic blood pressure at admission, average systolic blood pressure, highest systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were statistically significant in patients with death outcomes (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis suggested that the highest systolic blood pressure was statistically significant (P < 0.05), the further ROC curve results showed the cut-off value of the highest systolic blood pressure was 180.5 mmHg, with a sensitivity of 82.35% and a specificity of 81.13%. The highest Youden's index was 0.6348.

CONCLUSION

For acute ischemic stroke patients caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusion without recanalization, the appropriate reduction of blood pressure within 24 h after admission may have a positive effect on the clinical prognosis. The 90-day mortality of acute ischemic stroke patients without revascularization was independently related to the highest systolic blood pressure. The risk of death was increased when the highest systolic blood pressure was greater than 180.5 mmHg.

Stroke Severity in Ischemic Stroke Patients with a History of Diastolic Blood Pressure Treated in a Telestroke Network

Background: The relationship between diastolic blood pressure (DBP), risk factors, and stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated in a telestroke network is not fully understood. The present study aims to determine the effect of risk factors on stroke severity in AIS patients with a history of elevated DBP. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data on stroke severity for AIS patients treated between January 2014 and June 2016 treated in the PRISMA Health telestroke network. Data on the severity of stroke on admission were evaluated using NIHSS scores ≤7 for reduced, and >7 for increased, stroke severity. DBP was stratified as ≤80 mmHg for reduced DBP and >80 mmHg for elevated DBP. The study’s primary outcomes were risk factors associated with improving neurologic functions or reduced stroke severity and deteriorating neurologic functions or increased stroke severity. The associations between risk factors and stroke severity for AIS with elevated DBP were determined using multi-level logistic and regression models. Results: In the adjusted analysis, AIS patients with a DBP ≤ 80 mmHg, obesity (OR = 0.388, 95% Cl, 0.182−0.828, p = 0.014) was associated with reduced stroke severity, while an increased heart rate (OR = 1.025, 95% Cl, 1.001−1.050, p = 0.042) was associated with higher stroke severity. For AIS patients with a DBP > 80 mmHg, hypertension (OR = 3.453, 95% Cl, 1.137−10.491, p = 0.029), history of smoking (OR = 2.55, 95% Cl, 1.06−6.132, p = 0.037), and heart rate (OR = 1.036, 95% Cl, 1.009−1.064, p = 0.009) were associated with higher stroke severity. Caucasians (OR = 0.294, 95% Cl, 0.090−0.964, p = 0.002) and obesity (OR = 0.455, 95% Cl, 0.207−1.002, p = 0.05) were more likely to be associated with reduced stroke severity. Conclusions: Our findings reveal specific risk factors that can be managed to improve the care of AIS patients with elevated DBP treated in the telestroke network.

Increased blood pressure variability during general anaesthesia is associated with worse outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy: a prospective observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Optimal periprocedural blood pressure (BP) management during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischaemic stroke is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between intraprocedural BP variability (BPV) and outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) following MT with general anaesthesia.

DESIGN

A prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

This study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 141 patients with LVO treated with MT were finally included between January 2018 and September 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraprocedural BP was recorded every 5 min throughout the procedure. BPV was measured as SD, coefficient of variation (CV), max-min (RANGE) and successive variation. Haemorrhagic transformation was assessed on 24-hour CT images according to European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study III trial. Poor functional outcome was defined as 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 3-6. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of BPV parameters with the incidence of parenchymal haemorrhage (PH) and poor functional outcome.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, female, history of smoking, hypertension and atrial fibrillation, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, baseline systolic BP (SBP), baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, bridging thrombolysis and times of retrieval attempts, the results demonstrated that intraprocedural SBP_RANGE (OR 1.029; 95% CI 1.003 to 1.055; p=0.027), SBP_SD (OR 1.135; 95% CI 1.023 to 1.259; p=0.017) and SBP_CV (OR 1.189; 95% CI 1.053 to 1.342; p=0.005) were independently associated with poor functional outcome. However, the independent association between intraprocedural BPV and PH at 24 hours has not been established in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased intraprocedural BPV was more likely to have poor functional outcome in patients with LVO following MT with general anaesthesia. This finding indicates that special precautions should be taken to minimise BP fluctuation during procedure.

Association between blood pressure variability and clinical outcomes after successful recanalization in patients with large vessel occlusion stroke after mechanical thrombectomy

Objective

Nearly half of patients who undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT) do not experience a favorable outcome. The association between blood pressure fluctuation and clinical outcomes after successful MT is controversial. We evaluated the influence of blood pressure variability (BPV) on the clinical outcomes of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who underwent successful recanalization after MT.

Methods

Patients with anterior circulation LVO stroke who underwent successful emergency MT (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, mTICI ≥ 2b) at the Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University from 2017 to 2021 were enrolled. Multivariate logistic models were used to investigate the association between BPV (mean arterial pressure [MAP] assessed using the standard deviation [SD]) and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was 90-day modified Rankin Scale scores (mRS), and the secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).

Results

A total of 458 patients (56.8% men), with a mean age of 72 ± 1 years, were enrolled. Among them, 207 (45.2%) patients had unfavorable functional outcomes (mRS score 3–6) at 90 days, 61 (13.3%) patients died within 30 days, and 20 (4.4%) patients had sICH. In a fully adjusted model, BPV was associated with a higher risk of a 90-day mRS score of 3–6 (P = 0.04), 30-day mortality (P < 0.01), and sICH (P < 0.01). A significant interaction between MAP SD and rescue futile recanalization treatment was observed (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Among patients with LVO stroke who underwent successful recanalization, higher BPV was associated with worse functional outcomes, especially in those who underwent rescue treatment.

TAGE Score for Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Prediction After Successful Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

Determine if early venous filling (EVF) after complete successful recanalization with mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke is an independent predictor of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and integrate EVF into a risk score for sICH prediction.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with anterior acute ischemic stroke treated by mechanical thrombectomy issued from patients enrolled in the THRACE trial (Thrombectomie des Artères Cérébrales) and from 2 prospective registries were included and divided into a derivation (Center I; n=402) and validation cohorts (THRACE and center 2; n=507). EVF was evaluated by 2 blinded readers. sICH was defined according to the modified European cooperative acute stroke study II. Clinical and radiological data were analyzed in the derivation cohort (C1) to identify independent predictors of sICH and construct a predictive score test on the validation cohort (THRACE + C2).

RESULTS

Symptomatic ICH rate was similar between the two cohorts (9.9% and 8.9% respectively, P=0.9). Time from onset-to-successful recanalization >270 minutes (odds ratio [OR], 7.8 [95% CI, 2.5-24]), Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (≤5 [OR, 2.49 (95% CI, 1.8-8.1) or 6-7 [OR, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-4.46)]), glucose blood level >7 mmol/L (OR, 2.92 [95% CI, 1.26-6.7]), and EVF presence (OR, 11.9 [95% CI, 3.8-37.5]) were independent predictors of sICH and constituted the Time-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT-Glycemia-EVF score. Time-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT-Glycemia-EVF score was associated with an increased risk of sICH in the derivation cohort (OR increase per unit, 1.99 [95% CI, 1.53-2.59]; P<0.001) with area under the curve, 0.832 [95% CI, 0.767-0.898]. The score had good performance in the validation cohort (area under the curve, 0.801 [95% CI, 0.69-0.91]).

CONCLUSIONS

Time-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT-Glycemia-EVF score is a simple tool with readily available clinical variables with good performances for sICH prediction after mechanical thrombectomy.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT01062698.

Blood Pressure Variability Indices for Outcome Prediction After Thrombectomy in Stroke by Using High-Resolution Data

Background

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with outcome after endovascular thrombectomy in acute large vessel occlusion stroke. We aimed to provide the optimal sampling frequency and BPV index for outcome prediction by using high-resolution blood pressure (BP) data.

Methods

Patient characteristics, 3-month outcome, and BP values measured intraarterially at 1 Hz for up to 24 h were extracted from 34 patients treated at a tertiary care center neurocritical care unit. Outcome was dichotomized (modified Rankin Scale 0–2, favorable, and 3–6, unfavorable) and associated with systolic BPV (as calculated by using standard deviation, coefficient of variation, averaged real variability, successive variation, number of trend changes, and a spectral approach using the power of specific BP frequencies). BP values were downsampled by either averaging or omitting all BP values within each prespecified time bin to compare the different sampling rates.

Results

Out of 34 patients (age 72 ± 12.7 years, 67.6% men), 10 (29.4%) achieved a favorable functional outcome and 24 (70.6%) had an unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months. No group differences were found in mean absolute systolic BP (SBP) (130 ± 18 mm Hg, p = 0.82) and diastolic BP (DBP) (59 ± 10 mm Hg, p = 1.00) during the monitoring time. BPV only reached predictive significance when using successive variation extracted from downsampled (averaged over 5 min) SBP data (median 4.8 mm Hg [range 3.8–7.1]) in patients with favorable versus 7.1 mmHg [range 5.5–9.7] in those with unfavorable outcome, area under the curve = 0.74 [confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.85; p = 0.031], or the power of midrange frequencies between 1/20 and 1/5 min [area under the curve = 0.75 (CI 0.59–0.86), p = 0.020].

Conclusions

Using high-resolution BP data of 1 Hz, downsampling by averaging all BP values within 5-min intervals is essential to find relevant differences in systolic BPV, as noise can be avoided (confirmed by the significance of the power of midrange frequencies). These results demonstrate how high-resolution BP data can be processed for effective outcome prediction.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12028-022-01519-x.

Risk Factors of Impaired Perfusion in Patients With Symptomatic Internal Carotid Artery Steno-Occlusive Disease

Objective

To quantitatively evaluate the impaired perfusion status of patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) steno-occlusive disease and to explore the risk factors of impaired perfusion with computed tomography perfusion (CTP).

Methods

The clinical and imaging data of 187 patients with ICA steno-occlusive disease were retrospectively analyzed. The ICA stenosis rate was divided into Grades I–IV (70–79%; 80–89%; 90–99%; 100%), and the circle of Willis was classified as four types (types I–IV). According to the literature, the value of cerebral blood flow/cerebral blood volume (CBF/CBV) of 7.55/min was used as cut-off to predict symptomatic patients. All patients were categorized into two groups: those with impaired perfusion [n = 99 (52.9%)] and those without impaired perfusion [n = 88 (47.1%)]. Symmetrical bilateral internal watershed areas were selected as the regions of interest (ROIs). Statistical analysis was made on the status of impaired perfusion and the risk factors of impaired perfusion.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed that systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), types of the circle of Willis, and clinical features at admission differed between the two groups (patients with or without impaired perfusion) (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that MAP [odds ratio (OR) = 0.946, 95% confidential interval (CI) = 0.917–0.974, p < 0.001] and type IV (type I vs. IV: OR = 4.987, 95% CI = 1.955–12.723, p = 0.001) at admission were independently associated with impaired perfusion in the internal watershed areas.

Conclusion

MAP and the type of circle of Willis at admission are independent risk factors associated with the impaired perfusion in patients with ICA steno-occlusive disease.

Association of Blood Pressure Within 6 h After Endovascular Thrombectomy and Functional Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke Patients With Successful Recanalization

Background and Purpose

Blood pressure in the days following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) can influence functional outcomes of patients who have suffered an acute ischemic stroke, but whether the same is true of blood pressure during the first few hours after EVT is unclear.

Methods

Several blood pressure parameters were retrospectively analyzed in acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent EVT at West China Hospital from March 2016 to December 2019. Baseline blood pressure, speed of blood pressure reduction, postoperative blood pressure, degree of blood pressure reduction, and quality of blood pressure management were evaluated during the first 24 h after EVT. We explored whether these parameters during different time windows correlated significantly with patients' modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days.

Results

Analysis of 163 patients showed that poor functional outcome (mRS scores 3–6) correlated significantly with higher postoperative blood pressure and worse blood pressure management during the first 6 h after EVT. Postoperative systolic blood pressure at 37 min after EVT was significantly higher in patients with poor outcome (141 mmHg) than in those with good outcome (mRS scores 0–2; 122 mmHg, p = 0.006), and systolic pressure >136 mmHg at this time point was associated with a significantly higher risk of poor outcome, before and after adjusting for other risk factors (adjusted OR 0.395, 95% CI 0.20–0.79).

Conclusions

Among acute ischemic patients who successfully undergo recanalization, adequate blood pressure management during the first 30–40 min after EVT may be important for ensuring good 90-day functional outcomes.

Blood Pressure Trajectory Groups and Outcome After Endovascular Thrombectomy: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Elevated blood pressure after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation and poor functional outcomes. However, the optimal hemodynamic management after EVT remains unknown, and the blood pressure course in the acute phase of ischemic stroke has not been well characterized. This study aimed to identify patient subgroups with distinct blood pressure trajectories after EVT and study their association with radiographic and functional outcomes.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion ischemic stroke who underwent EVT. Repeated time-stamped blood pressure data were recorded for the first 72 hours after thrombectomy. Latent variable mixture modeling was used to separate subjects into five groups with distinct postprocedural systolic blood pressure (SBP) trajectories. The primary outcome was functional status, measured on the modified Rankin Scale 90 days after stroke. Secondary outcomes included hemorrhagic transformation, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death.

RESULTS

Two thousand two hundred sixty-eight patients (mean age [±SD] 69±15, mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 15±7) were included in the analysis. Five distinct SBP trajectories were observed: low (18%), moderate (37%), moderate-to-high (20%), high-to-moderate (18%), and high (6%). SBP trajectory group was independently associated with functional outcome at 90 days (P<0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Patients with high and high-to-moderate SBP trajectories had significantly greater odds of an unfavorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 3.5 [95% CI, 1.8-6.7], P=0.0003 and adjusted odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.5-3.2], P<0.0001, respectively). Subjects in the high-to-moderate group had an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio, 1.82 [95% CI, 1-3.2]; P=0.04). No significant association was found between trajectory group and hemorrhagic transformation.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with acute ischemic stroke demonstrate distinct SBP trajectories during the first 72 hours after EVT that have differing associations with functional outcome. These findings may help identify potential candidates for future blood pressure modulation trials.

Blood Pressure Management for Ischemic Stroke in the First 24 Hours

High blood pressure (BP) is common after ischemic stroke and associated with a poor functional outcome and increased mortality. The conundrum then arises on whether to lower BP to improve outcome or whether this will worsen cerebral perfusion due to aberrant cerebral autoregulation. A number of large trials of BP lowering have failed to change outcome whether treatment was started prehospital in the community or hospital. Hence, nuances on how to manage high BP are likely, including whether different interventions are needed for different causes, the type and timing of the drug, how quickly BP is lowered, and the collateral effects of the drug, including on cerebral perfusion and platelets. Specific scenarios are also important, including when to lower BP before, during, and after intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy/thrombectomy, when it may be necessary to raise BP, and when antihypertensive drugs taken before stroke should be restarted. This narrative review addresses these and other questions. Although further large trials are ongoing, it is increasingly likely that there is no simple answer. Different subgroups of patients may need to have their BP lowered (eg, before or after thrombolysis), left alone, or elevated.

Blood Pressure in Acute Stroke and Secondary Stroke Prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hypertension is common in patients presenting with stroke and is independently associated with unfavorable outcomes. This article reviews current guidelines for early management of blood pressure (BP) and highlights the findings of recent investigative works.

RECENT FINDINGS

Intensive blood pressure reduction after receiving alteplase has not been shown to improve outcomes. Patients with large vessel occlusions may benefit from lower blood pressure targets post-intervention. Retrospective analyses of large intracerebral hemorrhage trials suggest that specific subgroups of patients may disproportionately benefit from or be harmed by intensive BP reduction. Robust data for management of blood pressure in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients is lacking and expert consensus continues to guide decision-making. Despite the impact of hypertension on outcomes, most prospective trials assessing efficacy of blood pressure reduction have yielded neutral or inconclusive results. Further trials are necessary to determine which patient populations are most likely to benefit from blood pressure control.

[Update on Intensive Care Unit Management of Stroke]

In this review, we provide an update on the intensive care unit (ICU) management of ischemic stroke. Over the last decade, new evidence has led to rapid changes in the early management of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke. Nevertheless, stroke remains a leading cause of disability. Consequently, a significant number of patients with acute ischemic stroke require ICU level care. The most frequent reasons for ICU admissions are large infarction with potential swelling, reduced level of consciousness, secondary hemorrhagic transformation, acute symptomatic seizures or respiratory failure and stroke-related disorders of the brain-heart interaction. Moreover, there is an increasing number of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy with a subsequent need of ICU monitoring. Several studies have shown that the implementation of specialized neuro-intensive care teams help to improve functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke. The main goal in the ICU management of stroke patients is to prevent secondary brain injury. To this end, a comprehensive approach to optimize systemic physiological homeostasis, control intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters is needed. Here, we summarize recent advances in invasive and non-invasive neuro-monitoring, decision making in decompressive neurosurgery for large supratentorial or cerebellar infarction, specific cardiorespiratory management, nutrition, temperature management and mobilization strategies in ischemic stroke.

Blood Pressure Goals in Acute Stroke

Antihypertensive treatment is highly effective in both primary and secondary prevention of stroke. However, current guideline recommendations on the blood pressure goals in acute stroke are clinically empirical and generally conservative. Antihypertensive treatment is only recommended for severe hypertension. Several recent observational studies showed that the relationship between blood pressure and unfavorable clinical outcomes was probably positive in acute hemorrhagic stroke but J- or U-shaped in acute ischemic stroke with undetermined nadir blood pressure. The results of randomized controlled trials are promising for blood pressure management in hemorrhagic stroke but less so in ischemic stroke. A systolic blood pressure goal of 140 mm Hg is probably appropriate for acute hemorrhagic stroke. The blood pressure goal in acute ischemic stroke, however, is uncertain, and probably depends on the time window of treatment and the use of revascularization therapy. Further research is required to investigate the potential benefit of antihypertensive treatment in acute stroke, especially with regard to the possible reduction of blood pressure variability and more intensive blood pressure lowering in the acute and subacute phases of a stroke, respectively.

Comparative Studies of Cerebral Reperfusion Injury in the Posterior and Anterior Circulations After Mechanical Thrombectomy

Cerebral reperfusion injury is the major complication of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Contrast extravasation (CE) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are the key radiographical features of cerebral reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to investigate CE and ICH after MT in the anterior and posterior circulation, and their effect on functional outcome. This is a retrospective study of all consecutive patients who were treated with MT for AIS at University of California Irvine Medical Center between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017. Patient characteristics, clinical features, procedural variables, contrast extravasation, ICH, and outcomes after MT were analyzed. A total of 131 patients with anterior circulation (AC) stroke and 25 patients with posterior circulation (PC) stroke underwent MT during the study period. There was no statistically significant difference in admission NIHSS score, blood pressure, rate of receiving intravenous tPA, procedural variables, contrast extravasation, and symptomatic ICH between the 2 groups. Patients with PC stroke had a similar rate of favorable outcome (mRS 0–2) but significantly higher mortality (40.0% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.01) than patients with AC stroke. Multivariate regression analysis identified initial NIHSS score (OR 1.1, CI 1.0–1.2, p = 0.01), number of passes with stent retriever (OR 2.1, CI 1.3–3.6, p < 0.01), and PC stroke (OR 9.3, CI 2.5–35.1, p < 0.01) as independent risk factors for death. There was no significant difference in functional outcomes between patients with and without evidence of cerebral reperfusion injury after MT. We demonstrated that AC and PC stroke had similar rates of cerebral reperfusion injury and favorable outcome after MT. Cerebral reperfusion injury is not a significant independent risk factor for poor functional outcome.

Association between systolic blood pressure course and outcomes after stroke thrombectomy

Background

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large artery occlusive stroke is dynamic, requiring adaptable early prediction tools for improving outcomes. We investigated if post-EVT SBP course was associated with outcomes.

Methods

EVT-treated patients who had a stroke at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, were included in the study during 12 February 2018–11 February 2020. SBP was recorded during the first 24 hours after EVT. Primary outcome was functional independence defined by a Modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were death by 3 months, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and any intracranial haemorrhage. Patients with favourable outcomes were used as a reference SBP course in mixed linear effects models and compared with SBP courses of patients with unfavourable outcomes using the empirical best linear unbiased predictor, measuring deviations from the reference SBP course using the random effects. We tested model predictive stability for SBP measurements of only 18, 12 or 6 hours after EVT.

Results

374 patients were registered, with mean age 71, median NIHSS score of 15, and 53.2% men. Deviating from a linear SBP course starting at 130 mm Hg and decreasing to 123 mm Hg at 24 hours after EVT was associated with lower chances of functional independence (adjusted OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.88, for reaching either 99 or 147 mm Hg at 24 hours after EVT). All SBP course models for the remaining outcomes did not show statistical significance. Functional independence models showed stable predictive values for all time periods.

Conclusion

Deviating from a linear SBP course was associated with lower chances of 3-month functional independence.

Effect of blood pressure variability in the randomized controlled BP TARGET trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Blood Pressure Target in Acute Ischemic Stroke to Reduce Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy (BP TARGET) trial evaluated whether an intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) target resulted in reduced rates of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after successful endovascular therapy (EVT) but did not assess the effect of blood pressure variability (BPV) on functional outcomes and ICH occurrence. We sought to evaluate this question in the BP TARGET trial.

METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis of the BP TARGET trial and included patients with at least 50% of blood pressure (BP) recordings during the first 24 h after EVT. BPV parameters were SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) coefficient of variation (CV), standard deviation (SD), maximum-minimum (max-min), successive variation (SV), and time rate. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale between 0 and 2); the secondary outcome was the rate of ICH at 24 h.

RESULTS

We included 290 patients (mean number of BP measures = 30.4, SD = 8.0). BPV parameters (SBP_SD , SBP_max-min , SBP_CV ) were higher in the intensive SBP target group. Only DBP BPV parameters were associated with worse functional outcomes in the unadjusted model (DBP_SD , DBP_max-min , DBP_CV , and DBP_SV ), but not after adjustment. Higher SBP_max-min was associated with worse functional outcomes in Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38-1.02), but not in patients with complete reperfusion (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.80-2.02, p for heterogeneity (p_het =0.037). None of the BPV parameters was associated with ICH, regardless of the randomization group or the reperfusion grade.

CONCLUSIONS

BPV was significantly higher in the intensive SBP target group but was not associated with functional outcome or ICH.