Indomethacin for brain edema following stroke.
Conventional therapies for raised intracranial pressure (ICP) frequently are not effective. We report a patient with raised ICP following a large hemispheric stroke. After conventional therapies had failed, indomethacin was repeatedly administered. After bolus infusion (50 mg), the ICP fell by a mean of 8.1 mm Hg, and the mean arterial blood pressure increased by a mean of 7.1 mm Hg, leading to a mean increase in the cerebral perfusion pressure by 15.3 mm Hg. After 1 h, the ICP had returned to baseline values after most infusions. Continuous infusion of indomethacin was not effective. We conclude that indomethacin may reduce elevated ICP over a short time in patients with ischemic brain edema even after conventional therapy has failed.
Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.Stefan_Schwarz@ukl.uni-heidelberg.de
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Schwarz
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Bertram
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Aschoff
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Schwab
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Hacke
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007213:Indomethacin