title: Continuous selective intra-arterial application of nimodipine in refractory cerebral vasospasm due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cerebral vasospasm is one of the leading courses for disability in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Effective treatment of vasospasm is therefore one of the main priorities for these patients. We report about a case series of continuous intra-arterial infusion of the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine for 1-5 days on the intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  In thirty patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and refractory vasospasm continuous infusion of nimodipine was started on the neurosurgical intensive care unit. The effect of nimodipine on brain perfusion, cerebral blood flow, brain tissue oxygenation, and blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries was monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on Hunt & Hess grades on admission, 83% survived in a good clinical condition and 23% recovered without an apparent neurological deficit. Persistent ischemic areas were seen in 100% of patients with GOS 1-3 and in 69% of GOS 4-5 patients. Regional cerebral blood flow and computed tomography perfusion scanning showed adequate correlation with nimodipine application and angiographic vasospasm. Transcranial Doppler turned out to be unreliable with interexaminer variance and failure of detecting vasospasm or missing the improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local continuous intra-arterial nimodipine treatment for refractory cerebral vasospasm after aSAH can be recommended as a low-risk treatment in addition to established endovascular therapies.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkinger Straße 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Ott
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkinger Straße 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors: Sheila
authors: S
authors: Jedlicka
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Charité University Hospital, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Wolf
authors: Department of Radiology, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkinger Straße 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors: Mozes
authors: M
authors: Peter
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkinger Straße 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Pudenz
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Schwabing, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Kölner Platz 1, 80804 Munich, Germany.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Merker
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkinger Straße 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors: Ludwig
authors: L
authors: Schürer
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkinger Straße 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors: Christianto Benjamin
authors: CB
authors: Lumenta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009553:Nimodipine