Regulating Blood Pressure During Recovery From Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Ischemic Stroke

This is a pragmatic, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint trial comparing spironolactone-containing antihypertensive regimens versus standard antihypertensive regimens based on the 2017 AHA/ACC guidelines in stroke survivors.

This study will randomize a total of 200 patients, 100 white and 100 non-white patients, at least three weeks after last known normal or symptom discovery/onset of their stroke to an antihypertensive regimen with spironolactone once daily or standard BP control based on the 2017 AHA/ACC guidelines for 1 year.

Participants will undergo baseline testing for neurohormonal levels and will be followed for 12 months with regular assessment of home BP readings. The primary outcome of home systolic BP will be measured at 3 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Symptomatic ICH confirmed by head CT or brain MRI during hospitalization OR ischemic stroke patients. Ischemic stroke will be defined by focal signs/symptoms of any duration associated with evidence of acute arterial infarction on neuroimaging or clinical evidence of cerebral focal arterial ischemic injury with symptoms persisting ≥ 24 hours.
• Written, informed consent by patient or surrogate
• Ability to comply with all study procedures and available for the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary ICH due to trauma, vascular malformation, or tumor
• Life expectancy < 1 year
• eGFR <45
• Serum potassium greater than or equal to the upper limit of normal of the lab on the two most recent consecutive potassium levels prior to enrollment
• Known hypersensitivity to spironolactone
• Upper arm greater than 17 inches in circumference
• Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, or breastfeeding
• Contraindication to discontinuing mineralocorticoid antagonist therapy for 3-12 months per the investigator's discretion (e.g., refractory proteinuria)
• Systolic BP >200 mmHg or diastolic BP >110 mmHg at the time of randomization
• Systolic BP <120 mmHg at the time of randomization
• Any condition which, in the judgement of the investigator, increases the risk to the patient
• History of Addison's disease