Blood Pressure Variability in Non-hypertensive Patients With Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD), while various blood pressure variability (BPV) indices are immerging as novel prognostic indicators independent of the blood pressure level. However, the BPV profiles without hypertension have not been specifically observed. Considering the great importance of blood pressure management in ICVD, more research is needed to clarify whether and how BPV will increase the vascular risk in non-hypertensive patients with ICVD. This prospective cohort study will be helpful to invoke an early management of blood pressure in patients with ICVD before the clinical establishment of hypertension.

All eligible non-hypertensive patients hospitalized for ICVD will be consecutively enrolled in this cohort. Blood pressure measurements are obtained with ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) every 20 minutes during day-time (6:00-22:00) and every 30 minutes during night-time (22:00-6:00) at baseline and one year after the enrollment. The clinical, imaging and laboratory information will be collected at baseline. During an estimated 3-year follow-up, the vessel-related diagnostic or monitoring procedures, treatment, functional status and new vascular events will be recorded by web-based patients' self-reports and investigators' regular telephone visits.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed as ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), with confirmation of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
• Less than 90 days after onset of ischemic stroke or TIA symptoms.
• The blood pressure measured 5~90 days after the ICVD onset without any anti-hypertension treatment is less than 140/90 mmHg (an average of ≥2 readings obtained on ≥ 2 occasions after emptying bladder, relaxing for more than 5 min, and avoiding caffeine, exercise, or smoking for at least 30 min before measurement).
• Consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• A definite diagnosis of hypertension.
• Under anti-hypertension treatment.
• Worsening neurological conditions.
• With a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score more than 5 points.
• Intracranial hemorrhage.
• Autonomic failure.
• With malignant tumors or poor organ functions or hematologic diseases, whose estimated life expectancy is less than 3 years.
• With contraindications to ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring or fail to finish the examination at baseline.
• Mental disease.
• Pregnant.