title: Novel treatments for vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains a considerable challenge in neurocritical care medicine. This review aims to cover the recent novel aspects and results in CVS treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the basis of the recent literature, treatment focusing on CVS alone is outdated. A considerable amount of evidence suggests CVS not to be the sole cause of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and poor outcome. Early brain injury, cortical spreading depolarization, inflammation and microthrombosis have recently been discussed as additional factors. The results of a well designed phase III trial, using an endothelin-1 antagonist, indicated a decrease in the occurrence of CVS but did not change the clinical outcome significantly. Induced hypertension is currently recommended for treating suspected DCI, whereas hemodilution and hypervolemia are not. Endovascular intervention is only recommended in case of refractory symptomatic CVS. A couple of newer treatment strategies are under evaluation. Phase III trials are underway for magnesium sulfate and statins. Clinical trials aiming specifically at recently discussed factors other than CVS have not been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reviewing the recent literature, there have been some updates on recommendations and newer treatment modalities are under evaluation. However, a novel treatment with convincing evidence has not been reported so far.
authors.affiliation: Neurocritical Care Unit, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muroi
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seule
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mishima
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003422:Critical Care; D004146:Dioxanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004146:Dioxanes; D011725:Pyridines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013777:Tetrazoles; C109641:clazosentan; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate