Stroke treatment can have dire consequences when kidney function is low
Stroke and chronic kidney disease are both difficult to handle in their own rights, but having a stroke when your kidneys are already poor is more than just double the trouble. A new study led by Kazunori Toyoda at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC) in Japan shows that excessive blood pressure reduction for acute intracerebral hemorrhage can have dire consequences when kidney function is low. The study was published in the scientific journal
Neurology
®.
Intracerebral hemorrhage is a disease for which effective treatment is expected to be established. Abnormally high blood pressure is usually observed in the acute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage. Previous clinical studies have shown that intense blood pressure reduction in acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients can improve the clinical outcome. However, excessive blood pressure reduction can damage the kidneys, especially in people who already have chronic kidney disease. "Without a clear understanding of how kidney function affects the overall outcome when controlling blood pressure in these situations, doctors cannot make the best decisions for immediate stroke treatment," senior co-author Masatoshi Koga explains.