The influence of systolic arterial pressure in the first day after systemic thrombolysis on ischemic stroke outcomes and complication rate: a retrospective single-center study

Introduction. Reperfusion (both pharmacological and interventional) is the cornerstone of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management. Currently, there are only limited data in the scientific literature regarding the influence of systemic hemodynamic parameters on the recanalization status and complications of AIS.The objective of our study was to assess the relationship between the systemic hemodynamic parameters in the early postreperfusion period and the outcomes of AIS.Materials and methods. For retrospective analysis, data of 292 patients who received intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) at the Arkhangelsk Regional Stroke Center between 2010 and 2021 were collected. The main endpoints were functional outcome, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). The success of reperfusion was defined as the neurological improvement by 4 or more points of the NIHSS score within the first 24 hours after the start of IVT.Results. The relationship between mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) during the first 24 hours of IVT and functional recovery was obtained: B = 0.016 (β = 0.096) [95 % CI 0.000 – 0.031] (р = 0.49). The relationship between maximal SBP during the first day of IVT and functional recovery was also determined: B = 0.009 (β = 0.102) [95 % CI 0.001 – 0.018] (p = 0.037). The sICH occurred in nine cases, all of them were in the group without achieving successful reperfusion.Conclusion. The baseline levels of SBP ≥ 160 mm Hg at hospital admission in patients with AIS followed by IVT are accompanied by worse functional outcome and greater odds of death. The neurological improvement with significant decline in the NIHSS score during the first 24 hours after IVT is associated with a decreased risk of sICH.