Hypertension and infarction risk in burn patients: A review of potential links

Hypertension and stroke are two common problems affecting seriously burned patients. It seems that high blood pressure (BP) can increase the likelihood of stroke in these patients. This study was an attempt to offer an analysis of literature in the area of hypertension and stroke in burn patients to investigate the relationship between these two complications in these patients. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched systematically to identify the relevant articles. The synonymous terms and abbreviations for the words “burn,” “stroke,” and “hypertension” were searched in the databases. Articles related to the aim of our study were selected and reviewed. Cerebral infarction is a relatively uncommon but important complication following a burn injury. Hypertension, hypovolemia, hypercoagulopathy, and most importantly sepsis are the main risk factors for stroke in burn patients. Ghrelin therapy can be effective in preventing stroke in burn patients. Burn patients can also develop noncerebral infarction complications such as gastrointestinal infarction and myocardial infarction. Hypertension is another complication in burn patients. Prevalence of hypertension depends on age, sex, and severity of burn injury. The cardiovascular system of younger children is more vulnerable; therefore, they cannot resist the effects of high BP caused by burns. Thus, although the number of cases with hypertension was high, the mortality in pediatric burn patients was low. The complication of hypertension in burn patients can be of different types. One of the most important types is intra-abdominal hypertension, which can have a devastating effect on various systems of the body. Medications used to treat burn patients such as hydrocortisone and tumescence can affect BP in these patients. As mentioned earlier, hypertension is responsible for damage to various organs, such as the brain. For example, stroke can be caused by hypertension. Hypertension and stroke are usually observed in patients with a serious burn. Prevention is difficult, yet it can be reached by high-volume fluid resuscitation strategies, changing medications taken by burn patients, and treatment strategies such as ghrelin therapy. In this article, we reviewed the likelihood of stroke and hypertension in burn patients. According to the study, it seems that hypertension in burn patients can increase their risk of stroke.