The influence of blood pressure management on neurological outcome in endovascular therapy for acute ischaemic stroke

Abstract Background Observational studies have suggested that low blood pressure and blood pressure variability may partially explain adverse neurological outcome after endovascular therapy with general anaesthesia (GA) for acute ischaemic stroke. The aim of this study was to further examine whether blood pressure related parameters during endovascular therapy are associated with neurological outcome. Methods The GOLIATH trial randomised 128 patients to either GA or conscious sedation for endovascular therapy in acute ischaemic stroke. The primary outcome was 90 day modified Rankin Score. The haemodynamic protocol aimed at keeping the systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg and mean blood pressure >70 mm Hg during the procedure. Blood pressure related parameters of interest included 20% reduction in mean blood pressure; mean blood pressure Results Procedural average mean and systolic blood pressures were higher in the conscious sedation group ( P P Conclusion We found no statistically significant association between blood pressure related parameters during endovascular therapy and neurological outcome. Clinical trial registration NCT 02317237.