Blood pressure in the first 6 hours for older adults with stroke after endovascular therapy: a pooled analysis of the DEVT and RESCUE BT randomized clinical trials.

Optimal systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets after endovascular therapy (EVT) for stroke in older adults (≥ 65 years) remain undefined. This study assessed age-stratified associations between early post-EVT SBP (first 6 h) and outcomes. Post hoc analysis of two trials. Patients were stratified by age (18-64 vs. ≥ 65 years) and SBP (≤ 120, 120-140, > 140 mmHg). Primary outcome was 90-day functional status (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) and multivariable regression adjusted for confounders. Post-EVT SBP data were available for 267 young and 395 old patients. IPTW analysis revealed that sustained SBP below 120 mmHg during the first 6 h post-EVT significantly enhanced functional independence in elderly patients (common OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.18-3.39). Among young cohorts, maintenance of SBP ≤ 120 mmHg (cOR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.45-5.82) and 120-140 mmHg (cOR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.58-6.47) were associated with a better outcome. sICH incidence demonstrated no statistically significant association with systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels (P = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.93-1.35). During the initial 6-h window post-EVT, younger patients with SBP ≤ 140 mmHg and elderly patients with SBP ≤ 120 mmHg were associated with favorable outcome. These results suggest that stricter blood pressure control may be particularly beneficial for older adults in the early post-EVT phase.Trial Registration: The DEVT registration: URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn ; Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IOR-17013568, and the RESCUE BT registration: URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn ; ChiCTR-INR-17014167.