Pulse pressure--independent predictor of poor early outcome and mortality following ischemic stroke.

Background: Pulse pressure (PP) in acute stroke may be related to the outcome. The link between PP in the first week following ischemic stroke and early outcome was assessed.

Methods: We calculated mean PPs during the first 7 days after stroke onset in 1,677 patients. Poor outcome at hospital discharge was defined as a modified Rankin scale score of 3 or more points or death. Logistic regression was developed to evaluate PP as an independent predictor of early outcome.

Results: For patients with poor outcomes the mean PP during the first week was higher than that for patients with non-poor outcomes. A logistic regression model confirmed that elevated mean PP was independently associated with poor outcome at discharge and 30-day mortality.

Conclusion: Elevated PP during the acute phase of ischemic stroke is an independent predictor of poor early outcome at hospital discharge and 30-day mortality.