Dynamic analysis of blood pressure changes in progressive cerebral infarction

Background: Progressive cerebral infarction is one of the leading causes of high disability and lethality for stroke patients. However, the association between progression of BP changes and cerebral infarction is not currently well understood. Methods: We analyzed the dynamic changes in the BP of patients with acute ischemic stroke and explored the correlation between BP change and cerebral infarction progression. Results: 30.9% (30/97) of the patients investigated developed to progressive cerebral infarction 17-141 h after admission. The percentage of patients with a long history of hypertension was significantly higher in the progressive group than in the non-progressive group. The mean systolic BP of the patients 16 h to 5 d after admission was also much higher in the progressive group. A greater abnormality of circadian blood pressure was also observed among patients in the progressive group. Conclusions: Hypertension history of more than 5 years is an important risk factor for progressive cerebral infarction. Both the elevation of systolic blood pressure 16 h to 5 d after admission and abnormal circadian blood pressure are associated with the disease progression.