Study: Excessive Blood Pressure Reduction Worsens Stroke Outcomes in CKD Patients
A study published in Neurology® on July 1, 2021, has revealed that excessive blood pressure reduction can worsen stroke outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease. The research, based on data from the ATACH-2 clinical trial, suggests that renal function should be considered when determining the optimal blood pressure range for each patient post-stroke.
The study, titled 'Impact of renal impairment on intensive blood pressure-lowering therapy and outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage: Results from ATACH-2', categorized patients based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at admission. Those with normal kidney function, mild loss of function, and decreased kidney function were compared.
Led by Kazunori Toyoda at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Japan, the study found that intensive blood pressure-lowering therapy increased the odds of death or disability in patients with decreased kidney function. This group had a nearly 50% rate of death or disability, compared to about 32% in those with normal kidney function. The findings highlight the risk of excessive blood pressure reduction for acute intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with decreased kidney function.
The study, published in Neurology®, underscores the importance of considering renal function when deciding the optimal blood pressure range for each patient after a stroke. Further research is needed to determine the most effective blood pressure management strategies for stroke patients with varying kidney function.
