Hypertension after experimental cerebral ischemia: candesartan provides neurovascular protection

• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000209990.41304.43
• Publication Date: 2006-02-08T09:02:40Z
• Authors: Susan C Fagan; Anna Kozak; William D Hill; David M Pollock; Lin Xu; Maribeth H Johnson; Adviye Ergul; David C Hess
• Keywords: Candesartan; Stroke; Neurovascular bundle; Cerebral edema

After ischemic stroke, hypertension increases the risk of recurrence, hemorrhage and fatal cerebral edema, but blood pressure (BP) lowering in acute stroke period is controversial due to fears infarct extension worsened outcomes.To determine whether BP with candesartan, initiated at reperfusion, can reduce neurovascular damage improve outcome a model after experimental stroke.Male Wistar rats (280-305 g) underwent 3 h middle artery occlusion (MCAO). At either saline (n = 18) or candesartan 1 mg/kg was administered intravenously. measured by telemetry for 2 days before 24 MCAO. Neurologic function assessed sacrifice occurred occlusion. Brain tissue analyzed size, hemoglobin content edema.Mean increased from 96 124 mmHg immediately upon MCAO decreased 114 remaining elevated (P < 0.001) group. Candesartan reduced back baseline remained lower than saline-treated animals until 0.001). Infarct size (54 versus 38%, P 0.01) (23.4 10.0 microg/g tissue; 0.03) edema (17.97 11.33%, 0.0001) were In addition, neurologic improved 0.0036) group.Candesartan reperfusion reduces improves outcome.