Managing high blood pressure in hypertensive patients with an acute ischemic stroke / Manejo de la hipertensión arterial en pacientes hipertensos con un accidente cerebrovascular isquémico agudo

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the key risk factors and triggers for the development of acute cerebrovascular accident. The purpose of the study is to investigate the peculiarities and rates of blood pressure reduction in AH patients during the acute period of ischemic stroke depending on the patients’ sex, age, medical history, and clinical characteristics. Material and methods: The study involved 120 patients aged 41–77 years, of whom there were 47 (39.2%) men and 73 (60.8%) women. All enrolled patients had established diagnoses of AH and acute ischemic cerebrovascular accident (acute ischemic stroke, AIS), with the latter diagnosed within the first 24h from onset. The follow-up period was 14 days. Results: An increase in diastolic blood pressure was associated with higher scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, r=0.301, p=0.026) and Rankin scale (r=0.225, p=0.030), as well as a worse health status at the time of discharge from hospital (r=0.318, p=0.021). Conclusion: Diastolic blood pressure can be considered a marker of the severity of neurological disorders in AIS, which should be considered when monitoring such patients. (AU)

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial (HA) es uno de los principales factores de riesgo y desencadenante del desarrollo del accidente cerebrovascular agudo. El objetivo del estudio es investigar las peculiaridades y tasas de reducción de la presión arterial en pacientes con HA durante el período agudo del ictus isquémico en función del sexo, la edad, la historia clínica y sus características clínicas. Material y métodos: Participaron en el estudio 120 pacientes de 41 a 77 años, de los cuales 47 (39,2%) eran hombres y 73 (60,8%) mujeres. Todos los pacientes incluidos tenían diagnósticos establecidos de HA y accidente cerebrovascular isquémico agudo, este último diagnosticado dentro de las primeras 24 horas desde el inicio. El período de seguimiento fue de 14 días. Resultados: Un aumento en la presión arterial diastólica se asoció con puntajes más altos en la escala de accidentes cerebrovasculares de los institutos nacionales de salud (r=0,301; p=0,026) y la escala de Rankin (r=0,225; p=0,030), así como como un peor estado de salud al momento del alta hospitalaria (r=0,318; p=0,021). Conclusión: La presión arterial diastólica puede considerarse un marcador de la gravedad de los trastornos neurológicos en el accidente isquémico agudo, lo que debe tenerse en cuenta al monitorear a estos pacientes. (AU)

Managing high blood pressure in hypertensive patients with an acute ischemic stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the key risk factors and triggers for the development of acute cerebrovascular accident. The purpose of the study is to investigate the peculiarities and rates of blood pressure reduction in AH patients during the acute period of ischemic stroke depending on the patients' sex, age, medical history, and clinical characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 120 patients aged 41-77 years, of whom there were 47 (39.2%) men and 73 (60.8%) women. All enrolled patients had established diagnoses of AH and acute ischemic cerebrovascular accident (acute ischemic stroke, AIS), with the latter diagnosed within the first 24h from onset. The follow-up period was 14 days. RESULTS: An increase in diastolic blood pressure was associated with higher scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, r=0.301, p=0.026) and Rankin scale (r=0.225, p=0.030), as well as a worse health status at the time of discharge from hospital (r=0.318, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Diastolic blood pressure can be considered a marker of the severity of neurological disorders in AIS, which should be considered when monitoring such patients.