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michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan

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NEUROLOGICAL EMERGENCIES<br />

Acute Ischemic Stroke<br />

Patients presenting with an acute stroke frequently demonstrate severe elevations <strong>of</strong> BP due to<br />

multiple underlying mechanisms including preexisting <strong>hypertension</strong>, Cushing’s reflex, and activation <strong>of</strong><br />

multiple pathways including the RAA axis, cortisol, and catecholamines. While extreme elevation <strong>of</strong> BP is<br />

a risk factor for poor outcome due to cerebral edema and intracranial hemorrhage, there is also concern<br />

that acute lowering <strong>of</strong> BP will result in extension <strong>of</strong> infarction size because <strong>of</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> cerebral autoregulation<br />

in the watershed area around the infarct (ischemic penumbra) and pressure-dependent cerebral blood<br />

flow in this area during the acute phase. Recommendations for therapy must be considered expert<br />

opinion (level C evidence) based due to the poor quality and conflicting nature <strong>of</strong> published evidence.<br />

The Cochrane Collaboration analyzed the studies available as <strong>of</strong> July 2007 that assessed the effect <strong>of</strong><br />

deliberately altering BP within one week following an acute stroke, and the effect <strong>of</strong> different vasoactive<br />

drugs in that setting. 13 Their review included 12 trials with a total <strong>of</strong> 1153 patients receiving medications<br />

that included angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotension II receptor blockers, beta blockers,<br />

and calcium channel blockers among others. There was no demonstrable overall morbidity or mortality<br />

effect. No distinction was made between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. In most instances, acute BP<br />

lowering with intravenous antihypertensive mediations need not be considered unless BP exceeds 220<br />

mm Hg systolic and/or 120 mm Hg diastolic. However, emergent IV antihypertensive medication(s) will<br />

be warranted even at BP levels below the aforementioned BP thresholds in the presence <strong>of</strong> concomitant<br />

new or worsening target-organ injury (e.g., pulmonary edema, heart failure).<br />

The least controversy exists in patients considered eligible for thrombolytic therapy. According to<br />

recent American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association Stroke Council guidelines 14 , BP should<br />

be reduced to 200 mm Hg or mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) > 150 mm Hg<br />

is considered an indication for aggressive BP lowering using continuous intravenous infusion therapy,<br />

preferably with an arterial line BP monitoring. SBP > 180 mm Hg (MAP >130 mm Hg) is considered<br />

NKFM & MDCH 241

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