Does Early Intensive Lowering of Blood Pressure Reduce Hematoma Volume and Improve Clinical Outcome After Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage?

Andrew Worster, Samuel M. Keim, Christopher R. Carpenter, Opeolu Adeoye

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a poorly understood condition with devastating results. Despite the personal and social impact of ICH, modern medicine can offer little hope. Surgery is the longest-standing therapy, but with no demonstrated evidence of positive effect. Reduction of the early hypertension seen with ICH is believed to limit hematoma growth and improve clinical outcome. The effectiveness and safety of an early, aggressive blood-pressure-lowering strategy for ICH patients has only recently been examined in randomized controlled trials. Clinical Question: Does early, intensive lowering of blood pressure reduce hematoma volume and improve clinical outcome after acute cerebral hemorrhage? Evidence Review: Two trials assessing the clinical impact of blood pressure lowering in intracerebral hemorrhage were acquired and appraised. Results: The two randomized trials incorporated similar parallel designs and both trials measured clinical outcomes and short-term change in hematoma size. The smaller trial was only partially blinded and showed no difference in any of the outcomes; the large trial demonstrated marginal reduction in proportional hematoma growth, but no significant difference in clinical outcome. Conclusions: There is currently insufficient evidence to support the routine practice of lowering blood pressure of patients suffering an acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)433-438
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2009

Keywords

  • blood pressure
  • hematoma
  • intracerebral hemorrhage
  • randomized trial

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Does Early Intensive Lowering of Blood Pressure Reduce Hematoma Volume and Improve Clinical Outcome After Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this