Published online before print May 4, 2006, doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000222002.57530.05
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Stroke. 2006;37:1565.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Comments, Opinions, and Reviews |
Pressor Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Systematic Review
From the University of Leicester; and the Leicester Warwick Medical School, Ageing and Stroke Medicine, University Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, The Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
Correspondence to Dr A. Mistri, Clinical Research Fellow, Ageing and Stroke Medicine, University Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, The Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QP. E-mail chhips{at}le.ac.uk
 |
Abstract |
|---|
 Top Abstract IntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
Background and Purpose— Systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels below 140 mm Hg after acute stroke occur in 18% to 25% of patients, and may be associated with adverse outcome, in terms of death and disability. It has thus been proposed that BP elevation in acute ischemic stroke may be beneficial by increasing perfusion to the peri-infarct penumbra, though not only in those with low BP levels.
Methods— All articles studying BP elevation in the context of acute stroke were identified using a structured search strategy.
Results— Two reviewers independently searched the databases, and 12 relevant publications were identified. All identified publications related to acute ischemic stroke and no articles on pressor therapy in primary hemorrhagic stroke were found. The review included 319 subjects (age: 42 to 88 years, 46% male), with phenylephrine being the most commonly used pressor agent, though 8 studies incorporated volume expansion. Because of small numbers, and varying entry/outcome criteria, no meta-analysis of outcome measures was possible. Overall, in these few studies undertaken, pressor therapy in acute stroke appears feasible and well-tolerated. The benefit and risks in terms of clinical outcomes remains unknown, but intensive monitoring is advised if such therapy is undertaken.
Conclusions— Theoretical arguments exist for inducing BP elevation in acute ischemic stroke to increase blood flow to the ischemic penumbra across patients with a broad BP range. To date, there have only been a few small trials with inconclusive results. Many questions are still unanswered about the safety and potential benefits of pressor therapy in acute stroke. Hopefully, ongoing trials will answer some of these important questions.
Key Words: blood pressure • stroke, acute
|
Introduction |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
In the International Stroke Trial (IST)1 and Chinese Acute Stroke Trial,2 18% and 25% of patients had systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mm Hg, respectively. This level of BP is of prognostic importance, as demonstrated in a retrospective analysis of 17 398 patients in the IST trial, where early (2-week) death increased by 17.9% for every 10 mm Hg SBP below 150 mm Hg3 (although this was a post hoc analysis with its inherent bias). However, a similar relationship was confirmed in a prospective study of 304 patients with a first hemispheric ischemic stroke, where relative risk of death at 1-month and 1-year rose by 28.2% and 17.5%, respectively, for every 10 mm Hg–decrease in SBP below 130 mm Hg.4 A more recent retrospective analysis of 1004 patients with cerebral infarction found those with the lowest BP levels on admission had significantly higher mortality at 30 days compared with those with an SBP 150 to 169 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 100 to 109 mm Hg; relative risk: 2.69 and 3.49, for lower SBP and diastolic blood pressure values, respectively.5
Low BP poststroke is associated with different factors depending on stroke subtypes, eg, in cardioembolic stroke this may be attributable to associated heart failure,6 for lacunar events attributable to coronary heart disease,6 and in partial anterior circulation infarction attributable to previous myocardial infarction.7 This suggests that low BP poststroke results mainly from pre-existing cardiac disease and reduced cardiac output, but other causes such as sepsis or hypovolemia should also be considered. However, the stroke itself may result in damage to important vasomotor control centers such as the hypothalamus and cortical vasomotor centers, particularly the right insular cortex, resulting in autonomic imbalance, abnormalities in cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity, and cardiac dysrhythmias, all potentially contributing to low BP.8 Thus, the relationship of pressor therapy to outcome in acute ischemic stroke may be influenced by the etiology of the BP reduction.
Astrup et al9 introduced the concept of the "ischemic penumbra", an area of brain surrounding infarcted tissue, where electrical failure (flat electroencephalogram signal) was present, but ion pump failure (increased extracellular potassium) had not yet occurred, and concluded that increasing cerebral perfusion in this area might be an important determinant of outcome after stroke. Cerebral autoregulation is impaired after acute ischemic stroke,10 ie, cerebral blood flow (CBF) is passively dependent on the mean arterial pressure (MAP). Olsen et al11 demonstrated the existence of pressure-passive noninfarcted low-flow areas in 48 patients with ischemic stroke, where an induced BP-rise resulted in an increase in CBF (assessed by scintigraphy after an intracarotid injection of Xenon-133). Indeed, animal studies have shown that induced hypertension can reduce focal cerebral injury, by increasing intraluminal hydrostatic pressure, which opens collateral channels and improves perfusion to the penumbra.12 Also, induced hypertension is recommended for prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemic complications in patients with vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.13
Hence, in patients with a recent stroke, an argument can be made to elevate BP levels, and thereby CBF, thus optimizing perfusion and minimizing ischemic brain injury. The actual therapeutic window for benefit is uncertain, though earlier intervention is likely to be more beneficial.
Volume expansion/hemodilution is commonly incorporated as part of the treatment regime. Hemodilution increases CBF, which may be beneficial in recovery from acute cerebral infarction. However, the Cochrane Review on Hemodilution in Acute Stroke14 (3119 patients, 18 trials) reported no improvement in 4-week mortality, 3- to 6-month mortality and 3- to 6-month death/dependency rates with the use of hemodilution alone.
Current guidelines about the management of poststroke hypotension provide no objective clarification as to the appropriate management, which is a reflection of the paucity of evidence in this field, and an indicator of the practical difficulties of carrying out research in the setting of acute stroke. The European Stroke Initiative Recommendations for Stroke Management15 mentions that "low cardiac output states may need inotropic support." They imply that potential causes for low BP must be looked for and dealt with, and due consideration be given to pressor therapy. The Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Ischemic Stroke16 states that "at present, drug-induced hypertension cannot be recommended for the treatment of most patients with ischemic stroke (grade A)." The Cochrane Analysis, by the Blood Pressure in Acute Stroke Collaboration17 found insufficient data to draw any conclusions about deliberate alteration of BP within 2 weeks of a stroke. Thus, it is difficult to define a set BP level at which pressor therapy should be considered; it could be argued that only a stroke patient with a significant SBP fall (eg, >20 mm Hg) could benefit from pressor therapy, irrespective of absolute BP levels.
The current evidence regarding the use of pressor therapy in patients with acute stroke will now be considered.
|
Search Strategy |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
We systematically identified and reviewed all articles studying interventions to specifically elevate BP in the setting of acute stroke, to assess the effect on neurological outcomes and complication rates. A.K.M. and T.G.R. searched for articles in MEDLINE from 1951 and EMBASE from 1974, using the MeSH headings Stroke and Cerebrovascular Accident, and the keywords Stroke, induced ADJ (adjacent) hypertension, elevation NEAR BP OR elevation NEAR blood ADJ pressure, and pressor ADJ therapy. Articles were also identified from the Cochrane Database (2005-Issue 1). Of the resultant 451 articles, relevant articles were handpicked by literature review. Reference lists from published reviews were also searched for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria were as follows: all studies looking at BP elevation in the setting of neuroradiologically confirmed, acute ischemic stroke in humans. An independent observer (J.F.P.) resolved any differences between reviewers.
|
Results |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
Twelve publications fitting the criteria were identified, all relating to acute ischemic stroke, including 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT), 1 randomized trial (with conventional management as comparator), 1 case-control study, 1 observational study, 3 case series, 2 retrospective reviews and 3 case reports. No articles on pressor therapy in primary hemorrhagic stroke were found. Four articles were excluded: 3 because there was no classification and confirmation (neuroradiological or other) of stroke type, and 1 study of amphetamine use because BP elevation was neither the aim of the trial nor the proposed mechanism of action.
The review included 319 subjects (age 42 to 88 years, 46% male). The pressor agents used were phenylephrine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dobutamine, dopamine and diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb). Phenylephrine was the most commonly used agent in 62 of 194 patients receiving pressor therapy, with 8 studies also incorporating volume expansion. However, because of the small numbers, and varying entry and outcome criteria, a meta-analysis of outcome variables was not possible.
The study design and BP characteristics of the identified studies are summarized in Tables 1 and 2
, respectively. Tables 3 and 4 depict the relative pressor effect of different agents according to their method of action. The individual pressor agents and studies are outlined below.
|
|
|
|
Phenylephrine18
Phenylephrine (PE; a selective 
1-agonist) increases BP by peripheral vasoconstriction, without substantial direct cerebral vasoconstriction, attributable to a low density of 1-receptors in cerebral vessels.19 It is less likely to cause tachyarrhythmias, having negligible ß-agonist action, compared with other pressor agents.
In an unblinded, retrospective case-note analysis of 63 patients with acute ischemic stroke PE, Rordorf et al20 evaluated the effects of pressor therapy with phenylephrine within 24 hours of onset, given as part of routine clinical practice. A threshold SBP for neurological deficit (defined as the SBP below which a sustained, consistent, neurological decline occurred at least twice, and above which the decline was rapidly reversed after induced BP elevation) was identified in 10 of the 33 PE-treated patients. Pressor therapy was continued in only these patients up to 24 days. Three of 33 patients receiving PE developed creatinine phosphokinase elevation, (but no ECG abnormalities). One patient had a paroxysm of atrial fibrillation, but none discontinued treatment because of complications. There were no significant differences in clinical complications, morbidity and mortality, between the 2 groups.
Subsequently, in a prospective case series of 13 patients with acute ischemic stroke, Rordorf et al21 successfully used PE to elevate BP, achieving target SBP (
160 mm Hg or 20% above admission value, to a maximum of 200 mm Hg) within the first hour. NIH improved by 2 points in 7 of the 13 patients and a BP threshold was found in 6 of these 7 patients. There were no systemic or neurological complications. Patients with a BP threshold (threshold SBP 174 (+/–15) mm Hg) had their infusion continued for 1 to 6 days, and maintained their improved NIHSS until discharge. Patients benefiting seemed to be patients with large extracranial/intracerebral vessel stenosis/occlusion.
Hillis et al22 reported marked and immediate improvement in naming when MAP was increased (values not reported) in a case series of 6 patients, with stroke onset within 1 week. No adverse effects of treatment were mentioned.
The group further published the case of a 55-year old man, who presented with paraphasias and clumsy right hand movements, MRI showing an acute infarct in the left frontal lobe, insula and putamen, with an additional larger area of hypoperfused tissue, which included Wernicke area.23 MAP drop (107 to 87 mm Hg) was associated with development of global aphasia, but all language tasks improved again in parallel with the increase in MAP. Repeat MRI on treatment revealed improved perfusion of Wernicke area. Language improvement appeared to be dependent on maintaining a MAP >90 mm Hg.
In a randomized trial including 15 patients with ischemic stroke (within a week of onset) and >20% diffusion-perfusion mismatch on MRI, Hillis et al24 reported significant improvement of NIHSS, cognitive score and volume of hypoperfused tissue (132 to 58 mL) on perfusion-weighted imaging, in the treatment group with no adverse treatment effects (cardiac ischemia or hemorrhagic conversion of infarct). In a subsequent case series (including an overlap of some patients from the previous study), looking at the role of MRI in patient selection for pressor therapy,25 they reported a significantly larger reduction in hypoperfused tissue (identified by perfusion-weighted MRI) in those showing functional improvement (NIH increase 3). Mean NIHSS improved from 9.3 at baseline to 4.8 on day 3, in the treated group (untreated group–no difference 12 to 11.8), P<0.001. No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion
PE appears to be a suitable candidate agent for studying the effect of BP elevation on outcome after acute stroke.
Norepinephrine18
The pressor effect of norepinephrine (NE) is attributable to a combination of its ß1-agonist (inotropic, chronotropic) and -agonist (vasoconstrictive) properties, the ß1-effects being potentially detrimental by causing increased myocardial oxygen demand and a propensity to tachyarrhythmias.
Schwarz et al26 studied 19 patients with large hemispheric stroke (>2/3 of middle cerebral artery territory), receiving NE in an open, unblinded study, with intensive monitoring of intracranial pressure and middle cerebral artery blood flow (transcranial Doppler via temporal windows). Cerebral perfusion pressure and peal2? mean flow velocity of the middle cerebral arteries improved with no significant increase in intracranial pressure or adverse side effects. No evidence of hemorrhagic transformation was reported on follow-up CT scans, but 4 patients died of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension, 28 to 84 hours after the last pressor infusion.
In a retrospective case-note evaluation of 34 patients with acute ischemic stroke and SBP 
140 mm Hg, receiving intravenous NE within 26 hours of ictus, Marzan et al27 reported a single recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, with accompanying ventricular tachycardia necessitating treatment discontinuation. Overall, 4 (12%) patients died from massive space occupying hemorrhagic transformation, uncontrollable intracranial hypertension, pneumonia and acute cardiac insufficiency, locked-in syndrome. Early (within 8 hours) neurological improvement (NIH rise 2) occurred in 9 (27%) patients, and no deaths were reported during treatment. It should be noted that all patients in this study received heparin, and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin or clopidogrel) and thrombolysis were also allowed if appropriate.
Conclusion
NE may not be the ideal agent because of its potential for cardiac side effects.
Epinephrine (Adrenaline)18
Epinephrine has mixed ß-receptor stimulation with some added -mediated effects.
In the study by Meier et al,28 using short-term pressor therapy with repeated bolus intravenous epinephrine, significantly more patients in the intervention group survived to 21 days (62.2% versus 36.4%; P=0.02). There were no significant improvements in level of consciousness or severity of paresis.
Conclusion
Because of its indiscriminate stimulation of all sympathetic receptor subtypes, epinephrine theoretically has a higher risk of side effects than phenylephrine.
Dobutamine18
Dobutamine is primarily a ß1-agonist, having positive inotropic and chronotropic effects similar to norepinephrine, with additional effects on 1 and ß2-receptors. Its peripheral vascular effects are minimal, the vasoconstrictive effects of 1-stimulation being counterbalanced by the vasodilatory effects of ß2-stimulation. Tolerance can develop if used for >24 to 72 hours.
Duke et al29 used dobutamine in a patient who developed an ischemic stroke 8 hours after carotid endarterectomy, demonstrating reperfusion on angiography, alongside BP elevation and associated clinical improvement.
Dopamine19
The pressor effects of dopamine are attributable to its ß-agonist activity (inotropic effect) and at higher levels, -agonist activity (peripheral vasoconstriction).
Oliviera-Filho et al30 reported a case of an 81-year-old woman with multiple infarcts in the posterior circulation, who had worsening neurological deficits coincident with fall of BP, where induced hypertension with dopamine was followed by rapid clinical improvement, within 30 minutes. The infusion was weaned off over a period of 2 days, the patient remaining stable. At 6 months, the patient was independently mobile, with no recurrent cerebrovascular events.
Conclusion
The pressor effects of dobutamine and dopamine are primarily attributable to cardiac stimulation, and this may not be ideal for the population being studied, with a high coexistence of ischemic heart disease.
DCLHb31
DCLHb is a cell-free, hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution, which offers the potential advantage of hemodilution without a decrease in oxygen delivery. In animal models, it induces a hypertensive response, with significant reductions in extent of brain injury, and in healthy human volunteers, it causes a dose-dependent increase in MAP. It may also be a nitric oxide scavenger, and its effects are not simply related to BP changes.
In a placebo-controlled safety study, DCLHb resulted in a rapid rise in BP, with the duration of the pressor effect being dose-dependent.31 Outcome at 3 months was significantly worse in the treatment group (unfavourable outcome (Rankin score 3 to 6 at 3 months): 85% in treated patients, and 51% in untreated patients; P=0.002), and more serious adverse events and deaths occurred. However, effects other than elevating BP, including a dose-dependent increase in endothelin-1 levels32 and baseline stroke severity, may have contributed to the negative outcome.
|
Discussion |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
There has been only 1 small structured randomized trial to date studying pressor therapy in acute stroke. PE was the pressor agent, and no systemic or neurological complications were reported. The DCLHb study31 is difficult to interpret in view of the nonpressor effects of the agent.
Atrial fibrillation has been reported secondary to both PE and NE use. However, mortality in the case-note review by Rordorf et al21 was not significantly different in the treated and untreated groups. Importantly, adverse events were not reported consistently in all the studies reviewed.
We would suggest that PE is perhaps the best candidate pressor agent in acute stroke populations, in view of the following:
- It is the agent that has been studied the most.
- Because of its selective action on 1-receptors, it is less likely to cause:
- a. significant direct cerebral vasoconstriction, and
- b. ß-receptor mediated tachyarrhythmias, and increased myocardial oxygen demand.
- b. ß-receptor mediated tachyarrhythmias, and increased myocardial oxygen demand.
- a. significant direct cerebral vasoconstriction, and
It is proposed that those acute ischemic stroke patients most likely to benefit from induced BP elevation would have the following characteristics:
- Patients with sustained SBP <130 to 150 mm Hg (the prognosis in these patients is worse than for those with higher BP levels3,4,5), or those with good evidence of a symptomatic BP decrease (20 mm Hg) immediately postischemic stroke, but with levels still below those where guidelines advise antihypertensive therapy.15
- Severe ipsilateral large extracranial or intracerebral vessel stenosis or occlusion.22,23,25
- Presenting within 12 hours or perhaps 24 hours of symptom onset, those presenting earlier after onset being more likely to have salvageable ischemic penumbra, and therefore more likely to benefit.
- Patients without obvious exclusion criteria to pressor therapy, ie, cardiac function (ejection fraction <25%), recent congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction or unstable angina, bradycardia,24 uncontrolled angina, past medical history of arrhythmias or significant occlusive vascular disease, coexisting treatment with digoxin, quinidine or tricyclic antidepressants, and current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors or use within the previous 14 days (unpublished CHHIPS Study Protocol).
Obstacles to clinical application of pressor therapy are much the same as those for thrombolysis in acute stroke, mainly relating to the narrow time window, need for urgent neuroradiology input and manpower issues with monitoring.
|
Conclusions |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
Though small studies have shown that BP elevation can be carried out safely in acute stroke (with close monitoring), no large-scale trial has been carried out to-date. Interpretation of the results of published studies reviewed here is complicated by differences in trial methodology. The small size of what are mostly pilot trials limits reliable conclusion as to the effects on outcomes, both benefits and harms. The balance of benefit versus harm with induced hypertension in acute stroke needs to be demonstrated in a well-structured RCT. We suggest that PE (with volume replacement) would appear the most suitable candidate to induce BP elevation in acute stroke, given the current paucity of data. This should only be considered after potential contributing causes are considered and treated as best as possible. Pressor therapy should ideally be restricted to the early stages after a stroke, when a viable ischemic penumbra exists. Specialized investigation may be warranted to demonstrate the penumbra before instituting potentially hazardous pressor therapy, especially beyond the early stage.
To our knowledge, there are 2 ongoing trials studying induced BP elevation in acute ischemic stroke:
- The first, based in John Hopkins Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and University of Maryland, aims to determine whether MRI before intervention with PE is useful in selecting patients who are likely to benefit (personal communication. Hillis AE, Wityk RJ).
- We are coordinating a UK-based RCT studying BP manipulation in acute stroke (CHHIPS33), which has a pressor arm, where PE is used to induce BP elevation until 24 hours from symptom onset (www.le.ac.uk/CHHIPS/HomePage.html).
|
Acknowledgments |
|---|
Jane Tatlow (Clinical Librarian) advised on the search strategy for identification of articles. Professor R. Panerai kindly translated the Portuguese article. Dr Mistri and the CHHIPS trial are funded by a grant from the National Health Service Research & Development Health Technology Assessment Programme.
|
Footnotes |
|---|
Conflict of interest: Dr Mistri is the Trial Coordinator of the CHHIPS Trial. Professor Potter and Dr Robinson are the Chief Investigators of the CHHIPS Trial.
Received October 26, 2005; revision received January 12, 2006; accepted March 1, 2006.
|
References |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionSearch StrategyResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences |
|---|
- International Stroke Trial Collaborative Group. The International Stroke Trial (IST): a randomised trial of aspirin, subcutaneous heparin, both, or neither among 19 435 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Lancet. 1997; 349: 1569–1581.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- CAST (Chinese Acute Stroke Trial) Collaborative Group. CAST: randomised placebo-controlled trial of early aspirin use in 20 000 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Lancet. 1997; 349: 1641–1649.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Leonardi-Bee J, Bath PMW, Philips SJ, Sandercock PAG; for the IST Collaborative Group. Blood pressure and clinical outcomes in the International Stroke Trial. Stroke. 2002; 33: 1315–1320.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Vemmos KN, Tsivgoulis G, Spengos K, Zakopoulos N, Synetos A, Manios E, Konstantopoulou P, Mavrikakais M. U-shaped relationship between mortality and admission blood pressure in patients with acute stroke. Journal of Internal Medicine. 2004; 255: 257–265.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Okumura K, Ohya Y, Maehara A, Wakugami K, Iseki K, Takishita S. Effects of blood pressure levels on case fatality after acute stroke. J Hypertens. 2005; 23: 1217–1223.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Vemmos KN, Spengos K, Tsivgoulis G, Zakopoulos N, Manios E, Kotsis V, Daffertshofer M, Vassilopoulos D. Factors influencing acute blood pressure values in stroke subtypes. J Hum Hypertens. 2004; 18: 253–259.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Aslanyan S, Fazekas F, Weir CJ, Horner S, Lees KR; for the GAIN International Steering Committee and Investigators. Effect of blood pressure during the acute period of ischemic stroke on stroke outcome. Stroke. 2003; 34: 2420–2425.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Colivicchi F, Bassi A, Santini M, Caltagirone C. Prognostic implications of right-sided insular damage, cardiac autonomic derangement, and arrhythmias after acute ischaemic stroke. Stroke. 2005; 36: 1710–1715.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Astrup J, Siesjö BK, Symon L. Thresholds in cerebral ischemia: the ischemic penumbra. Stroke. 1981; 12: 723–725.
[Free Full Text] - Eames PJ, Blake MJ, Dawson SL, Panerai RB, Potter JF. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation and beat-to-beat blood pressure control are impaired in acute ischaemic stroke. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2002; 72: 467–472.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Olsen TS, Larsen B, Herning M, Skriver EB, and Lassen NA. Blood flow and vascular reactivity in collaterally perfused brain tissue. Evidence of an ischemic penumbra in patients with acute stroke. Stroke. 1983; 14: 332–341.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Cole DJ, Drummond JC, Osborne TN, Matsumura J. Hypertension and hemodilution during cerebral ischemia reduce brain injury and edema. Am Journal of Physiology. 1990; 259: H211–H217.
- Mayberg MR, Batjer HH, Dacey R, Diringer M, Haley EC, Heros RC, Sternau LL, Torner J, Adams HP Jr, Feinberg W. Guidelines for the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Stroke. 1994; 25: 2315–2328.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Asplund K. Haemodilution for acute ischaemic stroke. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000103. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD000103.
- Hacke W, Kaste M, Bogousslavsky J, Brainin M, Chamorro A, Lees K, Leys D, Kwiecinski H, Toni P, Langhorne P, Diener C, Hennerici M, Ferro J, Sivenius J, Gunnar N, Bath P, Olsen TS, Gugging M. The European Stroke Initiative Recommendations for Stroke Management (Update 2003). Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2003; 16: 311–337.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Adams H, Adams R, Del Zoppo G, Goldstein LB. Guidelines for the early management of patients with ischemic stroke: a scientific statement from the stroke council of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2005; 36: 916–921.
[Free Full Text] - Blood pressure in Acute Stroke Collaboration (BASC). Interventions for deliberately altering blood pressure in acute stroke. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 2. Art. No.:CD000039. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000039.
- Hieble JS, Nichols AJ, Langer SZ, Ruffolo RR Jr. Pharmacology of the Sympathetic Nervous System. Chapter 6, Section II. Principles of Pharmacology: basic concepts and clinical applications. Editor-in-chief: Munson PL, Associate editors-in-chief: Mueller RA, Breese GR. Publisher: Chapman & Hall, 1995:131–134.
- Bevan JA, Duckworth J, Laher I, Oriowo MA, McPherson GA, Bevan RD. Sympathetic control of cerebral arteries: specialization in receptor type, reserve, affinity, and distribution. FASEB Journal. 1987; 1: 193–198.[Abstract]
- Rordorf G, Cramer SC, Efird JT, Schwamm LH, Buonanno F, Koroshetz WJ. Pharmacological elevation of blood pressure in acute stroke: clinical effects and safety. Stroke. 1997; 28: 2133–2138.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Rordorf G, Koroshetz WJ, Ezzeddine MA, Segal AZ, Buonanno FS. A pilot study of drug-induced hypertension for treatment of acute stroke. Neurology. 2001; 56: 1210–1213.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Hillis AE, Kane A, Tuffiash E, Ulatowski JA, Barker PB, Beauchamp NJ, Wityk RJ. Reperfusion of specific brain regions by raising blood pressure restores selective language functions in Subacute stroke. Brain and Language. 2001; 79: 495–510.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Hillis AE, Barker PB, Beauchamp NJ, Winters BD, Mirski M, Wityk RJ. Restoring blood pressure reperfused Wernicke’s area and improved language. Neurology. 2001; 56: 670–672.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Hillis AE, Ulatowski JA, Barker PB, Torbey M, Ziai W, Beauchamp NJ, Oh S, Wityk RJ. A pilot randomized trial of induced blood pressure elevation: effects on function and focal perfusion in acute and subacute stroke. Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2003; 16: 236–246.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Hillis AE, Wityk RJ, Beauchamp NJ, Ulatowski JA, Jacobs MA, Barker PB. Perfusion-weighted MRI as a marker of response to treatment in acute and subacute stroke. Neuroradiology. 2004; 46: 31–39.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Schwarz S, Georgiadis D, Aschoff A, Schwab S. Effect of induced hypertension on intracranial pressure and flow velocities of the middle cerebral arteries in patients with large hemispheric stroke. Stroke. 2002; 33: 998–1004.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Marzan AS, Hungerbühler HJ, Studer A, Baumgartner RW, Georgiadis D. Feasibility and safety of norepinephrine-induced hypertension in acute ischemic stroke. Neurology. 2004; 62: 1193–1195.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Meier F, Wessel G, Thiele R, Gottschild D, Brandstätt H. Induced hypertension as an approach to treating acute cerebrovascular ischaemia: possibilities and limitations. Experimental Pathology. 1991; 42: 257–263.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Duke BJ, Breeze RE, Rubenstein D, Tranmer BI, Kindt GW. Induced hypervolemia and inotropic support for acute cerebral arterial insufficiency: an underused therapy. Surgical Neurology. 1998; 49: 51–54.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
- Oliviera-Filho J, Pedreira BB, Jesus PAP, Souza PEM, Bacellar AS. Pharmacologically induced hypertension in a patient with vertebrobasilar ischaemia associated with bilateral vertebral artery stenosis. Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. 2002; 60: 498–501.
- Saxena R, Wijnhoud AD, Carton H, Hacke W, Kaste M, Przybelski RJ, Stern KN, Koudstaal PJ. Controlled safety study of a haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, DCLHb, in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke. 1999; 30: 993–996.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Saxena R, Wijnhoud AD, Koudstaal PJ, van den Meiracker AH Effect of diaspirin cross-linked haemoglobin on endothelin-1 and blood pressure in acute ischemic stroke in man. J Hypertens. 1998: 1459–1463.
- The CHHIPS Trial Group. CHHIPS (Controlling Hypertension and Hypotension Immediately Post-Stroke) Pilot Trial: rationale and design. J Hypertens. 2005; 23: 649–655.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  H. K. Shin, M. Nishimura, P. B. Jones, H. Ay, D. A. Boas, M. A. Moskowitz, and C. Ayata Mild Induced Hypertension Improves Blood Flow and Oxygen Metabolism in Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia Stroke, May 1, 2008; 39(5): 1548 - 1555. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||