Treatment of the traumatic cerebral vasospasm with the calciumchannel blocker nimodipine: a preliminary report.
Five patients with severe head injury, rating between 3 and 5 on the Glasgow Coma Scale, were treated with the calciumchannel blocker nimodipine continuously for up to 12 days (2 mg/h) because of severe spasm of cerebral arteries. All cases involved the intracranial carotid artery and the first segments of the medial and anterior cerebral arteries. Control angiograms performed in 4 cases showed improved or normalized vessel calibre after the treatment. Intracranial pressure as well as blood pressure were not altered during nimodipine treatment. EEG improved within 7 days after treatment in all cases. Repeated CT scans showed reduction of cerebral edema. Hypothalamic disorders observed in 3 cases were stabilized. Based on these preliminary results, calciumchannel blocker reverses traumatic vasospasm and ameliorates physiologic function of the brain structures after severe head injury.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009539:Nicotinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009553:Nimodipine; D011379:Prognosis
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009539:Nicotinic Acids; D009553:Nimodipine