Impact of Infarct Size on Blood Pressure in Young Patients with Acute Stroke

Abstract

Background—Hypertension can be found in up to 80% of patients with acute stroke. Many factors have
been related to this phenomenon such as age, history of hypertension, and stroke severity. The aim of our
study was to determine the relationship between infarct volume and blood pressure, at admission, in young
patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Materials and Methods—Patients younger than 55 years old admitted within 24 hours of ischemic
stroke were included. Socio-demographic variables, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and
infarct volume at admission were assessed. Statistical analysis: mean and SEM for quantitative variables,
percentages for qualitative, and Spearman correlations (p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant).
Results—Twenty-two patients (12 men), mean age: 44.64 ± 1.62 years. The most frequent vascular risk
factors were: hypertension, smoking, and overweight (40.9%). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure
on admission were: 143.27 ± 6.57 mmHg and 85.14 ± 3.62 mmHg, respectively. Infarct volume: 11.55 ±
4.74 ml. Spearman correlations: systolic blood pressure and infarct volume: p = 0.15 r: –0.317; diastolic
blood pressure and infarct volume: p = 0.738 r: –0.76.
Conclusion—In our series of young patients with acute ischemic stroke, large infarct volume was not
associated with high blood pressure at admission.