Blood pressure management after mechanical thrombectomy in stroke patients

Abstract

Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is proven as a safe and effective novel treatment for emergent large vessel occlusion in the anterior cerebral circulation. However, there are still many unanswered questions on peri and post-procedural management including blood pressure (BP) control. The current guidelines recommend maintaining BP <180/105 mmHg in the first 24 h after MT. However, recent studies suggest that maintaining BP levels at lower levels in the first 24 h after successful revascularization have been associated with favorable functional outcome, reduced mortality rate, and hemorrhagic complications. Not only absolute BP but also its variation in the first 24 h after MT have been associated with neurological outcomes. Evidence on the effect of BP variability (BPV) after MT in AIS even though limited, it does indicate the association of the higher BPV in the first 24 h after MT and poor functional outcomes in AIS. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on BP management in the first 24 h after MT and the impact of BPV in the first 24 h after MT.

Keywords: Acute ischemic stroke; Blood pressure; Mechanical thrombectomy.