Blood pressure variability and outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy based on the recanalization and collateral status.

Background: Blood pressure (BP), recanalization status, and collateral circulation are important factors for cerebral autoregulation after stroke. We aimed to investigate the association of various BP variability (BPV) parameters with clinical outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) according to recanalization and collateral status.

Methods: We included 502 consecutive patients who underwent MT due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke at three comprehensive stroke centers. BPV parameters were standard deviation (SD), maximum/minimum BP, coefficient of variation (CV) and successive variation (SV). The clinical outcomes included 90-day functional outcome assessed by modified Rankin Scale score and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).

Results: Among the included patients, 219 (43.6%) achieved good functional outcomes and 59 (11.8%) developed sICH. After adjusting for confounders, higher systolic BP (SBP) variability [CV (odds ratio (OR), 1.089,  = 0.035), SV (OR, 1.082,  = 0.004). and SD (OR, 1.074,  = 0.027)] was associated with a lower likelihood of a favorable outcome. In addition, higher SBP [CV (OR, 1.156,  = 0.001) and SD (OR, 1.118,  = 0.001)] were significantly associated with increased odds of sICH. Moreover, the relationship between BPV and the outcomes depended on recanalization status. However, regardless of collateral status, a higher BPV after MT was associated with worse outcomes.

Conclusions: Higher SBP SD and CV during the first 24 h after MT was a powerful predictor of worse clinical outcomes, regardless of the collateral status. However, the effects of BPV on outcomes were more substantial among patients with successful reperfusion.