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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Real-Time Monitoring and Modulation of Blood Pressure in a Rabbit Model of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: February 10, 2023
Repeated hypotensive episodes with fluctuating symptoms in a patient with acute pontomedullary infarction
Hiroyuki Kawano1, Hideki Matsuoka, Kazunori Toyoda
1Cerebrovascular Division, Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan. hkawanoo@gmail.com
Abstract:
Dysfunction of cardiovascular regulation, including arterial hypotension, is a rare complication of acute ischemic stroke. We report a patient with an acute pontomedullary infarction who frequently had severe hypotensive episodes. A 78-year-old diabetic man suddenly developed faintness and left hemiparesis. MRI revealed a fresh infarct at the right pontomedullary region, including (or adjacent to) the rostral ventrolateral medulla. During the initial few weeks, urination and head-up tilts frequently induced hypotensive episodes accompanied by systolic blood pressure drops of up to 60 mmHg that were accompanied by fluctuating symptoms. In conclusion, pontomedullary stroke should be considered as a possible cause of hypotension accompanied by fluctuation of neurological symptoms during acute stroke.
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