Hiba Alharfany
Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
Title: Assessment of acute treatment of hypertension in ischemic stroke patients
Biography
Biography: Hiba Alharfany
Abstract
Stroke, the most common neurologic disorder and the major cause of disability and death after heart disease causing 11.8% of the total deaths worldwide, is defined as rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function lasting more than 24h. This study aims to assess appropriateness of hypertension treatment in acute stroke and its adherence with the choice of medications tailored according to blood pressure readings. This pilot study was performed in Lebanese hospitals where medical records of ischemic stroke patients were used to collect required data. Patients 18 years or older were enrolled following admission to intensive care unit or internal medicine department. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke were excluded. A total of 146 patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, patients had a mean ± standard deviation SBP of 160.6 (±31.3) and a mean DBP of 85.5. Labetalol and amlodipine were administered to patients with significantly higher baseline blood pressure. Change in SBP from baseline after 2h of drug administration was significantly higher with labetalol, amlodipine, and nitroglycerine. As for the change in SBP after 24h, it was significantly higher with labetalol in patients not eligible for reperfusion, and amlodipine. As for change in DBP, it was significantly lower after 24h with labetalol administration to patients not eligible for reperfusion and it was also lower 2h after administration of ramipril and 24h. This study reveals the gap between American Stroke Association guideline recommendations and clinical practice and states the impact of this difference on patients’ health.