Transient severe brain stem depression during intraarterial papaverine infusion for cerebral vasospasm.
A 63-year-old woman had severe, symptomatic cerebral vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage. We initiated simultaneous infusions of papaverine into her left vertebral and left internal carotid arteries. Twenty-five minutes after the infusions had begun, the patient had a transient reaction of respiratory arrest followed by rapid, progressive loss of brain stem function.
Barr
J D
JD
Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, PA.
Mathis
J M
JM
Horton
J A
JA
D001049:Apnea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000187:drug effects
D010208:Papaverine