| Methods |
Pilot randomised controlled trial
Method of randomisation not known
FU: no losses |
| Participants |
USA, single centre
15 patients: T: 9, C: 6
Age: T: 59.1 years, C: 67.8 years
Male: T: 2, C: 2
Inclusion: IS > 20% diffusion‐perfusion mismatch, quantifiable, stable or worsening aphasia, hemispatial neglect and/or hemiparesis
Enrolment: up to 7 days from the onset of stroke symptoms
Patients on any previous antihypertensive medication were discontinued prior to the initiation of the study
100% CT, MRI |
| Interventions |
T: iv phenylephrine was titrated to reach 10% to 20% increase MAP and continued for maximum of 72 hours
After 24 hours the patients were started on midodrine (up to 10 mg ), fludrocortisone (up to 0.2 mg) and sodium chloride tablets while simultaneously weaning the iv phenylephrine
By 4 weeks, midodrine, fludrocortisone, and sodium chloride were tapered as long as there was no concomitant clinical deterioration
C: conventional management |
| Outcomes |
MAP measured
BP measurement method not given
NIHSS and cognitive tests on day 1, day 3 and 6 to 8 weeks |
| Notes |
Exclusion: CI or inability to tolerate MRI, cardiac ejection fraction < 25%, recent congestive heart failure, myocardial ischaemia, unstable angina, bradycardia, allergy to gadolinium, haemorrhage seen on initial CT, agitation requiring ongoing sedation, or MAP > 140 with no intervention |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Adequate sequence generation? |
Low risk |
Probably done |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
Unclear from the publication |
| Blinding? |
Low risk |
Probably done |
| Completeness of follow‐up |
Low risk |
15 patients (T: 9, C: 6) no loss of follow up |
