Article

Stroke precipitated by moderate blood pressure reduction.

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Journal of Emergency Medicine (impact factor: 1.31). 12/2000; 19(4):339-46. pp.339-46
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Rapid lowering of blood pressure can precipitate or worsen ischemic strokes. This usually has been observed in the setting of profoundly lowered pressure and hypotension. We report on six patients in whom ischemic neurologic injury ensued or worsened after moderate reduction of blood pressure by pharmacological treatment. The 6 patients suffered new or worsened ischemic neurologic deficits after receiving oral or intravenous antihypertensive medications, mostly after relatively small doses. Mean arterial blood pressure in these patients was decreased by 25 +/- 7.7%, or 37 +/- 16 mm Hg (mean +/- SD) without resultant hypotension. These cases emphasize the potential hazards of moderate blood pressure reduction by antihypertensive medications in the setting of an acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), as well as rapidly treated hypertension even in those who have not yet manifested ischemic symptoms.

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Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

acute ischemic stroke
 
antihypertensive medications
 
cases
 
hypertension
 
intravenous antihypertensive medications
 
ischemic neurologic deficits
 
ischemic strokes
 
Mean arterial blood pressure
 
moderate blood pressure reduction
 
moderate reduction
 
new
 
oral
 
pharmacological treatment
 
small doses
 
transient ischemic attack