Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort

Background: Nimodipine improves outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) through mitigation of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Most studies are based on a treatment duration of 21 days. At our institution, clinical practice is to administer nimodipine for 14 days, regardless of bleed...

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Main Authors: Bryndís Baldvinsdóttir, Peo Wästberg, Björn M. Hansen, Erik Uvelius, Erik Kronvall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Brain and Spine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277252942500195X
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author Bryndís Baldvinsdóttir
Peo Wästberg
Björn M. Hansen
Erik Uvelius
Erik Kronvall
author_facet Bryndís Baldvinsdóttir
Peo Wästberg
Björn M. Hansen
Erik Uvelius
Erik Kronvall
author_sort Bryndís Baldvinsdóttir
collection DOAJ
description Background: Nimodipine improves outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) through mitigation of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Most studies are based on a treatment duration of 21 days. At our institution, clinical practice is to administer nimodipine for 14 days, regardless of bleeding severity. Treatment is prolonged if signs or symptoms of DCI occurs. The present study aims to review this practice. Methods: A prospective cohort of aSAH patients was reviewed and relevant information regarding nimodipine treatment were retrospectively added to this database. Functional outcome was measured using Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOSE) one year after ictus and dichotomized into unfavorable and favorable outcome. Radiological outcome was defined by the occurrence of new cerebral infarctions on brain imaging later than 30 days post-ictus. Results: The study population comprised 164 patients, out of which 97 (59 %) received nimodipine for 14 days or less. Unfavorable outcome was noted in 27 % of patients and brain imaging found cerebral infarctions in 17 % of patients. Both outcome measures were similar to previously published studies. No readmissions or signs of DCI were seen after discontinuation of nimodipine. Conclusions: A shortened nimodipine treatment period in patients without DCI after aSAH could be feasible. This may reduce sleep deprivation of patients and more effective utilization of neurointensive care resources. A large, randomized study is required to answer the question whether a shorter treatment with nimodipine is adequate to give full benefit of the medication in patients without signs and symptoms of DCI.
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spelling doaj-art-12166fb79cc64ca48854009a204175f62025-08-20T03:58:14ZengElsevierBrain and Spine2772-52942025-01-01510437610.1016/j.bas.2025.104376Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohortBryndís Baldvinsdóttir0Peo Wästberg1Björn M. Hansen2Erik Uvelius3Erik Kronvall4Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Corresponding author.Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Radiology, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, SwedenBackground: Nimodipine improves outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) through mitigation of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Most studies are based on a treatment duration of 21 days. At our institution, clinical practice is to administer nimodipine for 14 days, regardless of bleeding severity. Treatment is prolonged if signs or symptoms of DCI occurs. The present study aims to review this practice. Methods: A prospective cohort of aSAH patients was reviewed and relevant information regarding nimodipine treatment were retrospectively added to this database. Functional outcome was measured using Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOSE) one year after ictus and dichotomized into unfavorable and favorable outcome. Radiological outcome was defined by the occurrence of new cerebral infarctions on brain imaging later than 30 days post-ictus. Results: The study population comprised 164 patients, out of which 97 (59 %) received nimodipine for 14 days or less. Unfavorable outcome was noted in 27 % of patients and brain imaging found cerebral infarctions in 17 % of patients. Both outcome measures were similar to previously published studies. No readmissions or signs of DCI were seen after discontinuation of nimodipine. Conclusions: A shortened nimodipine treatment period in patients without DCI after aSAH could be feasible. This may reduce sleep deprivation of patients and more effective utilization of neurointensive care resources. A large, randomized study is required to answer the question whether a shorter treatment with nimodipine is adequate to give full benefit of the medication in patients without signs and symptoms of DCI.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277252942500195XSubarachnoid hemorrhageNimodipineDelayed cerebral ischemiaIntracranial aneurysmVasospasm
spellingShingle Bryndís Baldvinsdóttir
Peo Wästberg
Björn M. Hansen
Erik Uvelius
Erik Kronvall
Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
Brain and Spine
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Nimodipine
Delayed cerebral ischemia
Intracranial aneurysm
Vasospasm
title Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
title_full Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
title_fullStr Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
title_full_unstemmed Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
title_short Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
title_sort nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage shortened treatment in an unselected patient cohort
topic Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Nimodipine
Delayed cerebral ischemia
Intracranial aneurysm
Vasospasm
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277252942500195X
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