Effects of different antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure variability in patients with ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE: Blood pressure variation is one of the factors that affects the risk of stroke recurrence and prognosis. This study investigates the effects of calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers on blood pressure variability in severe ischemic stroke patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 24 patients with ischemic stroke in our intensive care unit were analyzed, and received amlodipine or metoprolol for more than 14 days with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. All patients aged 61-90 years, with GCS score <= 8 or associated with other organ dysfunction. RESULTS: Among these 24 ischemic stroke patients, 12 received amlodipine and 12 received metoprolol. The observation period was divided into two phases: 1-6 days and 7-14 days. The decrease in blood pressure was faster in the metoprolol group than in the amlodipine group, while the average standard deviation was significantly greater and the smoothness index was less. CONCLUSIONS: Metoprolol has faster onset than amlodipine and less blood pressure variability than metoprolol.