Impact of intravenous antihypertensive therapy on cerebral blood flow and neurocognition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Intravenous antihypertensivedrugs are commonly used in acute care settings, yet their impact on cerebral blood flow (CBF) remains uncertain.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 studies evaluated the effects of commonly used i.v. antihypertensive agents on CBF in normotensive, hypertensive, and intracranial pathology populations. Meta-analyses used standardised mean differences (SMD), stratified by population type, consciousness state, antihypertensive agent, and CBF measurement method.

Results: Intravenous antihypertensivedrug therapy significantly reduced CBF in normotensive individuals without intracranial pathology (SMD -0.31, 95% confidence interval -0.51 to -0.11), primarily driven by nitroprusside and nitroglycerin in awake subjects (SMD -0.80, 95% confidence interval -1.15 to -0.46), with a median CBF decrease of 14% (interquartile range 13-16%) and a median mean arterial pressure reduction of 17% (interquartile range 9-22%). Other antihypertensives showed no significant effects on CBF in normotensive individuals, nor were changes observed in hypertensive patients or those with intracranial pathology when the median mean arterial pressure reduction was ∼20%. No correlation was found between mean arterial pressure reduction and CBF change, supporting intact cerebral autoregulation. Historical data revealed neurocognitive changes when CBF fell to ∼30 ml 100 g-1 min-1, associated with a 58% mean arterial pressure reduction and a 38% CBF reduction.

Conclusions: Most i.v. antihypertensive agents do not significantly affect CBF in clinical dose ranges; however, nitroprusside and nitroglycerin can reduce CBF under specific clinical conditions. The certainty of evidence remains low. Neurocognitive changes appear to depend on the magnitude of blood pressure and CBF reductions.