Impact of Early Blood Pressure Variability on Stroke Outcomes After Thrombolysis

Abstract

Background and Purpose— The present study determines associations between early blood pressure (BP) variability and stroke outcomes after intravenous thrombolysis. Methods— In 527 stroke patients receiving intravenous alteplase (0.6 mg/kg), BP was measured 8 times within the first 25 hours. BP variability was determined as ΔBP (maximum-minimum), standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation, and successive variation. Results— The systolic BP course was lower among patients with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 to 1 than those without ( P <0.001). Most of systolic BP variability profiles were significantly associated with outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per 10 mm Hg (or 10% for coefficient of variation) on symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were as follows: ΔBP, 1.33 (1.08–1.66); SD, 2.52 (1.26–5.12); coefficient of variation, 3.15 (1.12–8.84); and successive variation, 1.82 (1.04–3.10). The respective values were 0.88 (0.77–0.99), 0.73 (0.48–1.09), 0.77 (0.43–1.34), and 0.76 (0.56–1.03) for 3-month mRS 0 to 1; and 1.40 (1.14–1.75), 2.85 (1.47–5.65), 4.67 (1.78–12.6), and 1.99 (1.20–3.25) for death. Initial BP values before thrombolysis were not associated with any outcomes. Conclusions— Early systolic BP variability was positively associated with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and death after intravenous thrombolysis.