Focal cerebral ischaemia and infarction due to antihypertensive therapy

Med J Aust. 1987 Apr 20;146(8):412-4. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1987.tb120332.x.

Abstract

Eight cases of postural focal cerebral ischaemia due to antihypertensive medications presented to one neurologist over an eight-month period. Most patients were elderly and suffered from chronic hypertension; their symptoms resolved after the reduction or cessation of these medications. These findings re-emphasize that considerable caution is required when antihypertensive medications are used in elderly persons and in patients with chronic hypertension whose cerebral blood-flow autoregulatory curves are shifted to the right. We also draw attention to the fact that drug-induced hypotension may induce focal cerebral ischaemia rather than generalized cerebral ischaemia more frequently than is generally appreciated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cerebral Infarction / chemically induced*
  • Cerebral Infarction / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / chemically induced*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Posture
  • Prazosin / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Prazosin