Background and purpose High blood pressure (BP) at presentation is associated with poor outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke, but serial BP measurements may better delineate the clinical implications of BP. The aim was to investigate the association between various BP parameters and functional outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods This study reports a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry of a comprehensive stroke centre. Patients treated with EVT due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation were enrolled. BP was measured hourly during the first 24 h after admission. Associations of various BP parameters, including BP variability, with functional outcomes at 3 months, including good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2), were analysed. Results Of the 378 enrolled patients (mean age 70 ± 11 years, male 54.2%), 313 (82.8%) achieved successful reperfusion after EVT, and 149 (39.4%) had good outcomes at 3 months. Higher mean systolic BP [each 10 mmHg increase, odds ratio 0.82 (0.69–0.97)] and higher systolic successive variation (SV) [each 10% increase, odds ratio 0.37 (0.18–0.76)] were associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving good outcomes. In addition, reperfusion status after EVT moderated the influence of higher systolic SV on good outcomes (Pint = 0.05). Conclusion The results showed that a higher mean systolic BP and systolic SV during the first 24 h of EVT reduced the likelihood of good outcomes at 3 months. The effects of these parameters on outcomes are more substantial amongst patients with successful reperfusion after EVT, suggesting that different BP control strategies should be employed according to reperfusion status.

Background and purpose White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a predictor of stroke among elderly individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the association between WMH severity and the risk of recurrent vascular events among Asian patients with ischaemic stroke with small‐vessel disease (SVD) including micro/macrobleeds and lacunes. Methods Data from participants (n = 1454) in the PICASSO (PreventIon of CArdiovascular Events in iSchemic Stroke Patients with High Risk of Cerebral HemOrrhage) trial were reviewed. The severity of WMH in baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging scans was assessed using the Fazekas scale. The association between WMH severity and stroke (ischaemic or hemorrhagic) and major vascular events (MVEs) (a composite of stroke/myocardial infarction/vascular death) was assessed. Results Study patients had a significant burden of SVD: Fazekas score 0 (n = 2), 1 (n = 426), 2 (n = 650) and 3 (n = 376) [median Fazekas score 2 (mean follow‐up, 1.9 ± 1.3 years)]. The stroke incidence rate per 100 personyears was 2.6 in the Fazekas 0–1 group, 3.6 in the Fazekas 2 group and 7.0 in the Fazekas 3 group, and the rates for MVEs were 3.3, 4.3 and 7.6, respectively. Compared with the Fazekas 0–1 group, the Fazekas 3 group was associated with a higher risk of stroke [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–3.88; P = 0.011], ischaemic stroke (adjusted HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.07–4.15; P = 0.031), hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.09–12.70; P = 0.036) and MVEs (adjusted HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.20–3.66; P = 0.010). Conclusion Advanced WMH in Asian patients with ischaemic stroke with SVD burden was associated with an increased risk of recurrent vascular events. It may exert an effect as a prognostic indicator in high risk of recurrent vascular events.

An E/A ratio ≥1.5 is independently associated with PCS after adjusting for multiple covariates including AF and provides incremental prognostic information for detecting PCS.

The study suggested that clopidogrel users exhibit a lower risk of infection and develop less severe infections after ischaemic stroke. Further prospective studies are needed.