Baroreflex: A New Therapeutic Target in Human Stroke?

Background and Purpose-Autonomic dysfunction, including increased sympathetic drive and blunted baroreflex, has repeatedly been observed in acute stroke. Of clinical importance is that the stroke-related autonomic imbalance seems to be linked to worse outcome after stroke. Here, we discuss the role of baroreflex impairment in acute stroke and its possible pathophysiological and therapeutic relevance. Summary of Review-Possible mechanisms linking baroreflex impairment with unfavorable outcome in stroke may include increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, promotion of secondary brain injury due to local inflammation, hyperglycemia, or altered cerebral perfusion. Conclusions-We suggest therefore that the modifying of autonomic functions may have important therapeutic implications in acute ischemic as well as in hemorrhagic stroke. (Stroke. 2009;40:e678-e682.)