COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF TELMISARTAN AND OTHER ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AGENTS IN STROKE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective : To compare the beneficial effects of telmisartan with other anti-hypertensive agents during stroke with respect to improvement from neurological dysfunction. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 98 eligible study participants. The blood pressure, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and power of limbs were noted. The data were analysed using one-way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s Multiple Comparison Test. Results: Among 150 randomised patients, 110 met the inclusion criteria, and 98 came for follow-up whose data was recorded. Telmisartan showed significant improvement in total NIHSS score compared to amlodipine (P ≤ 0.01) and mannitol (P ≤ 0.01). The mean reduction in SBP and DBP was significant with respect to telmisartan compared to amlodipine (P≤ 0.01). Telmisartan showed significant improvement of power in right upper limb (UL) compared to amlodipine (P ≤ 0.05) and mannitol (P ≤ 0.01). Improvement of power in right lower limb (LL) showed significance with respect to telmisartan compared to mannitol (P ≤ 0.05). Significant improvement of power in left LL was observed in telmisartan compared to mannitol (P ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: Blood pressure reduction is an inevitable component of stroke treatment. Anti-hypertensive treatment seems to be highly efficacious in protecting patients against stroke and stroke recurrence, especially on long term basis. Thus, telmisartan provides a viable insight into the stroke prevention strategy and may be prudent to consider as a reasonable add-on therapy.