title: Prospective investigation of nimodipine for acute vocal fold paralysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nimodipine has been shown to be beneficial for recovery from acute vocal fold paralysis (AVFP) in an animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  prospective, open-label trial of patients with AVFP was performed using nimodipine. Consecutive patients were evaluated and offered nimodipine therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three patients were considered for treatment with nimodipine. Thirteen did not qualify for inclusion, 5 were lost to follow-up, and 7 had side effects requiring cessation of treatment. Thus 28 patients (30 paralyzed vocal folds) were analyzed. Eighteen of the paralyzed vocal folds experienced recovery of purposeful motion (60%). Historical controls and laryngeal electromyography meta-analysis suggest no more than a 20% recovery rate from AVFP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This open label study using nimodipine for treatment of AVFP demonstrates tripling of the recovery rate of vocal fold motion compared with historical controls. Further study in a randomized, controlled manner is warranted.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Voice Center, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Mercy Building B, Suite 11500, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, USA.
authors.forename: Clark A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Libby
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Vyvy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Munin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009553:Nimodipine
keywords: laryngeal electromyography; laryngeal muscle innervation; nerve regeneration/drug effects; nimodipine; vocal cord paralysis