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Meta-Analysis
. 2010 Jul 7;2010(7):CD002839.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002839.pub2.

Vasoactive drugs for acute stroke

Chamila Geeganage  1 , Philip Mw Bath
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Vasoactive drugs for acute stroke

Chamila Geeganage et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: It is unclear whether blood pressure (BP) should be altered actively during the acute phase of stroke.

Objectives: To assess the effect of lowering or elevating BP in people with acute stroke, and the effect of different vasoactive drugs on BP in acute stroke.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched June 2009), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2009), MEDLINE (1966 to October 2009), EMBASE (1980 to October 2009), and Science Citation Index (1981 to October 2009).

Selection criteria: Randomised trials of interventions that would be expected, on pharmacological grounds, to alter BP in patients within one week of the onset of acute stroke.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently applied the trial inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality, and extracted data.

Main results: We identified 131 trials involving in excess of 18,000 patients; a further 13 trials are ongoing. We obtained data for 43 trials (7649 patients). Among BP-lowering trials, beta receptor antagonists lowered BP (early systolic BP (SBP) mean difference (MD) -6.1 mmHg, 95% CI -11.4 to -0.9; late SBP MD -4.9 mmHg, 95% CI -10.2 to 0.4; late diastolic BP (DBP) MD -4.5 mmHg, 95% CI -7.8 to -1.2). Oral calcium channel blockers (CCB) lowered BP (late SBP MD -3.2 mmHg, 95% CI -5.4 to -1.1; early DBP MD -2.5, 95% CI -5.6 to 0.7; late DBP MD -2.1, 95% CI -3.5 to -0.7). Nitric oxide donors lowered BP (early SBP MD -10.3 mmHg, 95% CI -17.6 to -3.0). Prostacyclin lowered BP (late SBP MD, -7.7 mmHg, 95% CI -15.6 to 0.2; late DBP MD -3.9 mmHg, 95% CI -8.1 to 0.4). Among BP-increasing trials, diaspirin cross-linked haemoglobin (DCLHb) increased BP (early SBP MD 15.3 mmHg, 95% CI 4.0 to 26.6; late SBP MD 15.9 mmHg, 95% CI 1.8 to 30.0). None of the drug classes significantly altered outcome apart from DCLHb which increased combined death or dependency (odds ratio (OR) 5.41, 95% CI 1.87 to 15.64).

Authors' conclusions: There is not enough evidence to evaluate reliably the effect of altering BP on outcome after acute stroke. However, treatment with DCLHb was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Beta receptor antagonists, CCBs, nitric oxide, and prostacyclin each lowered BP during the acute phase of stroke. In contrast, DCLHb increased BP.

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Conflict of interest statement

PMW Bath was involved in three completed studies included in this review. He is the principal investigator of the ongoing Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke (ENOS) trial.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 1 Early death (≤ 1 month).
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 2 Death at end of trial.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 3 Early death or deterioration (≤ 1month).
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 4 Death or disability at end of trial.
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 5 Systolic blood pressure, early.
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 6 Systolic blood pressure, late.
1.7
1.7. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 7 Diastolic blood pressure, early.
1.8
1.8. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 8 Diastolic blood pressure, late.
1.9
1.9. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 9 Heart rate, early.
1.10
1.10. Analysis
Comparison 1 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure lowering therapy, Outcome 10 Heart rate, late.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 1 Early death (≤ 1 month).
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 2 Death at end of trial.
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 3 Death or disability at end of trial.
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 4 Systolic blood pressure, early.
2.5
2.5. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 5 Systolic blood pressure, late.
2.6
2.6. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 6 Diastolic blood pressure, early.
2.7
2.7. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 7 Diastolic blood pressure, late.
2.8
2.8. Analysis
Comparison 2 Drug versus control in stroke: blood pressure elevation therapy, Outcome 8 Heart rate, early.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

References

References to studies included in this review

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FIST 1996 {published data only}
    1. Franke CL, Palm R, Dalby M, Schoonderwaldt HC, Hantson L, Eriksson B, et al. Flunarazine in stroke treatment (FIST): a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 1996;93:56‐60. - PubMed
Galeas 1998 {published data only}
    1. Galeas TH, Ziogas G, Valotasiou A, Galea B, Karapanos F, Lappas H. The role of magnesium (Mg) ‐ a national calcium (Ca) antagonist on the Ca channels of the patients in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. Proceedings of the Consensus Conference on Medical Management of Stroke, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. May 1998.
Gamez 1988 {published data only}
    1. Marin Gamez N, Sota Mas JA, Aguilar Martinez JL, Bermudez Garcia JM, Salim A, Ramos Jimenez A, et al. A controlled double blind clinical trial of nicardipine versus placebo in acute focal cerebral ischaemia. Medicina Clinica 1988;90:690‐2. - PubMed
Geismar 1976 {published data only}
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Gelmers 1984/120 {published data only}
    1. Gelmers HJ. The effects of nimodipine on the clinical course of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 1984;69:232‐9. - PubMed
Gelmers 1988/120 {published data only}
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Gladstone 2006 {published data only}
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Gray 1990 {published data only}
    1. Gray CS, French JM, Venables GS, Cartlidge NEF, James OFW, Bates D. A randomized double‐blind controlled trial of naftidrofuryl in acute stroke. Age and Ageing 1990;19:356‐63. - PubMed
Haley 1994/0.6 {published data only}
    1. The RANTTAS investigators. A randomized trial of tirilazad mesylate in patients with acute stroke (RANTTAS). Stroke 1996;27:1453‐8. - PubMed
Haley 1994/2 {published data only}
    1. The RANTTAS investigators. A randomized trial of tirilazad mesylate in patients with acute stroke (RANTTAS). Stroke 1996;27:1453‐8. - PubMed
Haley 1994/6 {published data only}
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Hartmann 2005 {published data only}
    1. Hartmann A, Pavlidis C, Dettmers C, Rommel T. The effect of antihypertensive drugs on intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow in patients with acute stroke. Cerebrovascular Diseases 2005;19 Suppl 2:Abst 6.
Hoechst 1986 {published data only}
    1. Aschenbrenner KM. Addendum to the final report. Efficacy, safety and tolerance of Trental (pentoxifylline) in the treatment of acute non‐hemorrhagic focal cerebral infarction (12 ‐ 36 hours after onset). HRPI protocol 402 B ‐ modified, Hoechst AG 1987.
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Holthoff 1990 {published data only}
    1. Heiss WD, Holthoff V, Pawlik G, Neveling M. Effect of nimodipine on regional cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with acute ischaemic stroke as measured by positron emission tomography. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 1990;10:127‐32. - PubMed
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Hsu 1988 {published data only}
    1. Hoechst. Clinical/statistical report for pentoxifylline (Trental, BL 191). Protocol 402A. Hoechst report 1988.
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Huber 1993 {published data only}
    1. Huber M, Hojer C, Fink G R, Neveling B, Kittner B, Heiss WD. Adenosine reuptake inhibition by propentofylline improves brain glucose metabolism as measured by FDG‐PET in human acute ischemic stroke. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study. 2nd International Conference on Stroke, Geneva 1993;124:2.
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IMAGES 2004 {published data only}
    1. IMAGES investigators. Magnesium for acute stroke (intravenous magnesium efficacy in stroke trial): randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004;363:439‐45. - PubMed
Infeld 1999 {published data only}
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Karoutas 1990 {published data only}
    1. Karoutas G. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of piracetam in patients with acute ischaemic cerebral infarct in the carotid territory. Proceedings of Piracetam Symposium, Athens. 30 April 1990.
Kornhuber 1993 {published data only}
    1. Kornhuber HH, Hartung J, Herrlinger JD, Hertel G, Hulser PJ, Prange H, et al. Flunarazine in ischemic stroke: a randomised, multicentre, placebo‐controlled, double blind study. Neurological and Psychological Brain Research 1993;1:173‐80.
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Lampl 2001 {published data only}
    1. Lampl Y, Gilad R, Geva D, Eshel Y, Sadeh M. Intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate in acute stroke: a randomised double blind study. Clinical Neuropharmacology 2001;24(1):11‐5. - PubMed
Lipani 1984 {unpublished data only}
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Martin 1985 {published data only}
    1. Martin JF, Hamdy N, Nicholl J, Lewtas N, Bergvall U, Owen P, et al. Double‐blind controlled trial of prostacyclin in cerebral infarction. Stroke 1985;16:386‐90. - PubMed
Martinsson 2002 {published data only}
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MAST‐I {published data only}
    1. Multicentre Acute Stroke Trial‐Italy (MAST‐I) Group. Randomised controlled trial of streptokinase, aspirin and combination of both in treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. Lancet 1995;346:1509‐14. - PubMed
Meier 1991 {published data only}
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Miller 1984 {published data only}
    1. Miller VT, Coull BM, Yatsu FM, Shah AB, Beamer NB. Prostacyclin infusion in acute cerebral infarction. Neurology 1984;34:1431‐5. - PubMed
Ming 1990 {published data only}
    1. Ming A, Fritz VU, Winterton R, Esser J, Hinton S. Piracetam versus placebo in first, acute, non‐haemorrhagic, carotid territory stroke: a double‐blind pilot study. Proceedings of the Piracetam symposium, Athens, Greece. 1990:139‐51.
Misra 2005 {published data only}
    1. Misra UK, Kalita J, Ranjan P, Mandal SK. Mannitol in intracerebral haemorrhage: a randomized controlled study. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2005;234:41‐5. - PubMed
Mohr 1992/120 {published data only}
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Mohr 1992/240 {published data only}
    1. Mohr JP, The American Nimodipine study Group. Clinical trial of nimodipine in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke 1992;23:3‐8. - PubMed
Mohr 1992/60 {published data only}
    1. Mohr JP, The American Nimodipine study Group. Clinical trial of nimodipine in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke 1992;23:3‐8. - PubMed
Molnar 1979 {published data only}
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Mousavi 2004 {published data only}
    1. Mousavi SA, Ziaei J, Saadatnia M. Magnesium sulphate in acute stroke: a randomised double blind clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences 2004;4:7‐10.
Nakamura 2007 {published data only}
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Nazir 2004 {published data only}
    1. Nazir FS, Overell JR, Bloster A, Hilditch TE, Reid JL, Lees KR. The effect of losartan on global and focal cerebral perfusion and on renal function in hypertensives in mild early ischaemic stroke. Journal of Hypertension 2004;22:989‐95. - PubMed
NEST 1994/120 {published and unpublished data}
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NIMPAS 1997 {published data only}
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Oczkowski 1989 {published data only}
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Ohtomo 1986 {published data only}
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Ohtomo 1987a {published data only}
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Orgogozo {unpublished data only}
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Piradov 1992 {published data only}
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Piriyawat 2003 {published data only}
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Wong 1987 {published data only}
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References to ongoing studies

ACCOST 2006 {published data only}
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ASTART 2005 {published data only}
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Additional references

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MeSH terms