The SPS3 randomized trial provides yet more evidence that controlling blood pressure reduces the risk for stroke — intracerebral hemorrhage in particular.
Hypertension has been clearly established as a major risk factor for vascular brain injury, both in the form of clinically apparent strokes and silent infarcts and microbleeds. Furthermore, numerous placebo-controlled trials have shown that antihypertensive medications substantially reduce the risk for ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. However, optimal blood pressure (BP) targets in specific subtypes of cerebrovascular disease remain poorly defined.
To better define the target in patients with recent lacunar strokes, investigators randomized patients to a BP goal of either 130 to 149 mm Hg or <130 mm Hg. Patients were enrolled at a minimum of 2 weeks and an average of 2 months after their index stroke. Antihypertensive medication…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresSpeaker’s bureauGenentech
Grant / Research supportNational Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Michael Goldberg Stroke Research Fund
Editorial boardsPLOS One; Scientific Reports
Leadership positions in professional societiesNeurocritical Care Society (Research Committee Member)
DisclosuresSpeaker’s bureauGenentech
Grant / Research supportNational Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Michael Goldberg Stroke Research Fund
Editorial boardsPLOS One; Scientific Reports
Leadership positions in professional societiesNeurocritical Care Society (Research Committee Member)