Lisinopril for the treatment of hypertension within the first 24 hours of acute ischemic stroke and follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension immediately after acute ischemic stroke is associated with impaired morbidity and mortality, although there are few data on antihypertensive use immediately after ictus. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study explored the hemodynamic effect and safety of oral lisinopril initiated within 24 h after an ictus.


METHODS
Forty hypertensive (systolic blood pressure [BP] >/=140 or diastolic BP >/=90 mm Hg) acute ischemic stroke patients (14 lacunar, 13 partial anterior, 7 total anterior, 6 posterior circulation infarct) were randomized to 5 mg of oral lisinopril (n = 18) or matching placebo (n = 22). Dose was increased to 10 mg (or 2 x placebo) on day 7 if casual systolic BP was >/=140 mm Hg and continued to day 14. After the initial dose, automated BP levels were monitored for 16 h. The BP levels and stroke outcome measures were assessed at day 14, and all patients were followed to day 90.


RESULTS
At h 4 after the first dose, systolic/diastolic BP change was -20 +/- 21/-6 +/- 10 mm Hg (mean +/- SE) in the lisinopril group and 1 +/- 11/0 +/- 8 mmHg in the placebo group (group differences: systolic BP, P < .05; diastolic BP, P = .07). With a daily dosing regime, systolic BP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic BP, and pulse pressure (PP) were significantly lower in the lisinopril group compared to the placebo group at day 14 (P < .01). Neurologic and functional measures were similar between groups at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Lisinopril, even at small dosages, is well tolerated and an effective hypotensive agent after acute ischemic stroke, gradually reducing BP by 4 h after oral first-dose administration. Oral lisinopril is now being studied in a larger outcome-based trial in acute hypertensive stroke patients.
Eveson
David J
DJ
Division of Ageing and Stroke Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leicester Warwick Medical School, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom. dje7@le.ac.uk
Robinson
Thompson G
TG
Potter
John F
JF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017706:Lisinopril / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017706:Lisinopril