Mechanisms of cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Cerebrovascular spasm is a slowly developing constriction of the cerebral arteries, which frequently follows subarachnoid haemorrhage and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The condition has been studied by use of models of subarachnoid haemorrhage in the whole animal and examination of isolated blood vessels or vascular smooth muscle cells in culture. The condition probably arises from the action of haemoglobin released from erythrocytes trapped in the subarachnoid clots, although the mechanism of action of haemoglobin remains uncertain. Systemic pharmacotherapy to avert or reverse vasospasm is still experimental.
Cook
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DA
Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000502:physiology; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000502:physiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015777:Eicosanoids; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents