Blood Pressure after Successful Endovascular Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Objective There are limited data evaluating the optimum blood pressure (BP) goal post mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and its effect on outcomes of patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO). The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intensive versus conventional BP control after reperfusion with MT via a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods We searched PubMed and Embase to obtain articles related to BP control post MT through September 2023. The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0‐2) at 3 months, while secondary outcomes included excellent outcome (mRS 0‐1), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality. Results Four RCTs with 1,566 patients (762 randomized into intensive BP control vs. 806 randomized into conventional BP control) were included. Analysis showed that there was a lower likelihood of functional independence (mRS 0‐2: odds ratio [OR]: 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51–0.91, p = 0.009) in the more intensive treatment group compared with the conventional treatment group. There was no statistically significant difference in achieving excellent outcome (mRS0‐1: OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.63–1.07; p = 0.15), risk of sICH or mortality. Interpretation This systematic review and meta‐ analysis Indicates that in patients who achieved successful MT for acute ischemic stroke with LVO, intensive BP control was associated with a lower likelihood of functional independence at 3 months without significant difference in likelihood of achieving excellent outcome, sICH risk, or mortality. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:858–865