Pilot Study of Paramedic Initiated Lisinopril for Acute Stroke Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Lisa Shaw, Christopher Price, Sally McLure, Denise Howel, Elaine McColl, Gary A Ford
Primary Institution: Newcastle University
Hypothesis
Can paramedic initiated blood pressure lowering treatment improve outcomes for patients with acute stroke?
Conclusion
The pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger trial on early blood pressure lowering in acute stroke.
Supporting Evidence
- High blood pressure during acute stroke is linked to worse outcomes.
- Previous trials did not show benefits from lowering blood pressure due to late treatment initiation.
- Pre-hospital treatment could reduce time to intervention and improve outcomes.
Takeaway
This study is trying to see if giving a blood pressure medicine to stroke patients before they reach the hospital can help them get better.
Methodology
Double blind parallel group external pilot randomised controlled trial with paramedic recruitment and treatment.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in participant selection and consent process due to the emergency setting.
Limitations
The study is a pilot trial, so it may not provide definitive answers about treatment effectiveness.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 40 and older with acute arm weakness and hypertension.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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