Stroke prevention in patients with arterial hypertension: Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology's Stroke Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To update the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology on primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with arterial hypertension.

DEVELOPMENT

We proposed several questions to identify practical issues for the management of blood pressure (BP) in stroke prevention, analysing the objectives of blood pressure control, which drugs are most appropriate in primary prevention, when antihypertensive treatment should be started after a stroke, what levels we should aim to achieve, and which drugs are most appropriate in secondary stroke prevention. We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed database and analysed the main clinical trials to address these questions and establish a series of recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

In primary stroke prevention, antihypertensive treatment should be started in patients with BP levels >  140/90 mmHg, with a target BP of < 130/80 mmHg. In secondary stroke prevention, we recommend starting antihypertensive treatment after the acute phase (first 24 hours), with a target BP of < 130/80 mmHg. The use of angiotensin-II receptor antagonists or diuretics alone or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is preferable.

Stroke prevention in patients with arterial hypertension: Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology's Stroke Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To update the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology on primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with arterial hypertension.

DEVELOPMENT

We proposed several questions to identify practical issues for the management of blood pressure (BP) in stroke prevention, analysing the objectives of blood pressure control, which drugs are most appropriate in primary prevention, when antihypertensive treatment should be started after a stroke, what levels we should aim to achieve, and which drugs are most appropriate in secondary stroke prevention. We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed database and analysed the main clinical trials to address these questions and establish a series of recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

In primary stroke prevention, antihypertensive treatment should be started in patients with BP levels >140/90mmHg, with a target BP of <130/80mmHg. In secondary stroke prevention, we recommend starting antihypertensive treatment after the acute phase (first 24hours), with a target BP of <130/80mmHg. The use of angiotensin-II receptor antagonists or diuretics alone or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is preferable.

[Relationship between antihypertensive drug use and development of atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients in a Primary Care center]

INTRODUCTION

Although antihypertensive treatment can reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbimortality, studies aimed at evaluating the association between antihypertensive drug use and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) yield mixed results. This study aimed to determine the possible relationship between antihypertensive drug use and development of AF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Case control study.

CASES

Hypertensive patients with AF diagnosed at least one year after the start of drug treatment for hypertension.

CONTROLS

Hypertensive patients without AF with pharmacological antihypertensive treatment for at least one year, matching by sex, age and duration of antihypertensive therapy at diagnosis of AF cases. The study included 136 cases and 132 controls.

VARIABLES

AF, antihypertensive drugs, control of hypertension, duration of treatment with antihypertensive drugs, number of antihypertensive drugs.

ANALYSIS

Crude OR were calculated, with logistic regression being used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios.

RESULTS

Overall, diuretics was close to statistical significance: OR 0.616 (95% CI 0.365 to 1.040), as a protective factor for development of AF. Calcium channel blockers behaved as a protective factor against development of AF at 75 years or older (OR 0.366; 95% CI 0.173 to 0.772), and within this age in women (OR 0.343; 95% CI 0.145-0.811).

CONCLUSIONS

Calcium channel blockers in the group of 75 years or more, especially in women, worked statistically significant as a drug protecting against the appearance of AF. Diuretics may have a protective role in AF incidence in all hypertensive patients.