Early lowering of high blood pressure improves stroke outcomes

Washington, Feb 26 : A new study conducted by researchers at the George Institute for International Health has shown that early and intensive lowering of high blood pressure reduces the risk of death and disability in stroke patients.

The results of the study, in which researchers managed raised blood pressure after intracerebral haemorrhage (stroke), showed that rapid blood pressure lowering is well tolerated and seems to reduce the amount of bleeding in the brain, indicating that such treatment could have promising effects in stroke patients.

"These results show that drug treatment to lower elevated blood pressure can be given quickly and safely to patients with intracranial haemorrhage," said Professor Craig Anderson from the George Institute.

"Furthermore, this treatment appears to limit bleeding in the brain in this type of stroke, which may improve chances of recovery for patients," he added.

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), the most serious type of stroke that results from rupture of a blood vessel within the brain, is often the result of high blood pressure.

The objective of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility and safety of rapid lowering of elevated blood pressure to more 'normal' levels after the onset of ICH, and also examine whether the treatment reduces the amount of bleeding in the brain.

In the study, the researchers recruited 404 patients from 44 hospitals in Australia, China and South Korea from November 2005 to April 2007.

Patients who presented within six hours of onset of ICH and with acutely elevated blood pressure or 'hypertension', were randomised to receive either a treatment strategy of rapid blood pressure lowering or the more conservative, American Heart Association guideline-based blood pressure lowering.

The researchers then followed-up the patients to assess their response to treatment, degree of recovery and changes in brain scan.

"Despite the magnitude of the burden imposed by this disease, and the high cost to health services, there is no widely available treatment for the condition," Professor Anderson said.

"However, early rapid blood pressure lowering shows considerable promise as a widely applicable, cost-effective therapy that can be readily incorporated into clinical practice," he added.

The study has been reported at the American Heart Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans.

ANI