The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
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Comparative Study
Time to Blood Pressure Control Before Thrombolytic Therapy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: Comparison of Labetalol, Nicardipine, and Hydralazine.
Elevated blood pressure is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in patients with a systolic blood pressure greater than 185 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 110 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure can lead to a delay in thrombolytic therapy, which is associated with increased morbidity. There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of a specific antihypertensive agent in this setting. ⋯ Adequate initial dosing of antihypertensive treatment has the potential to reduce time to blood pressure control and possibly time to alteplase therapy. The optimal antihypertensive regimen for controlling blood pressure before alteplase therapy remains unclear.