Blood pressure undulation of peripheral thrombolysis period in acute ischemic stroke is associated with prognosis

Background: Evidence suggests that patients with higher blood pressure variability (BPV) have a higher risk for stroke but the relationship between BPV and stroke outcomes is unknown in those who underwent intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The objective of this study is to investigate the association among BPV, BP values and stroke outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of about 510 consecutive thrombolysis cases for AIS from January 2015 to March 2019 in a single-center database were done. Then, these patients were followed-up for 3 months. We used univariate and multivariable models to evaluate the relationship between mean BP values, BPV and the risk of stroke outcomes from prior IVT to 72 h after IVT. Meanwhile, we also used COX regression to assess the hazard ratios of stroke outcomes with BPV within 3 months. Furthermore, we tested the effect of BP level at various time-points (prior to IVT and at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after IVT) on development of postthrombolytic stroke outcomes. Results: Higher BPV from prior IVT to 72 h after IVT was associated with higher risk of stroke outcomes within 3 months [SBPV of recurrent stroke: odds ratios (OR) = 5.298, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.339–10.968, P = 0.018; DBPV of recurrent stroke: OR = 6.397, 95% CI 1.576–25.958, P = 0.009, respectively]. In addition, patients with recurrent stroke had significantly higher mean SBP (OR=1.037, 95% CI 1.006–1.069, P = 0.019). Furthermore, higher BP at different time points were associated with greater risk of recurrent stroke from prior IVT to 72 h after IVT. Conclusion: Higher BPV and SBP from prior IVT to 72 h after IVT was associated with higher risk of stroke outcomes within 3 months.