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Influence of nimodipine on cerebral blood flow in human cerebral ischaemia

Summary

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by xenon-133 inhalation and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in 7 patients with acute cerebral ischaemia prior to and 30 min after intravenous infusion of nimodipine (1 mg). Neurological examination, CT and CBF study were performed no later than 6 h after the onset of symptoms. Regional perfusion abnormalities were seen in all patients when the CT scan was still normal. Follow-up CT revealed low-density areas roughly corresponding to the core of the perfusion defect. Nimodipine infusion significantly decreased the mean arterial blood pressure (P<0.01), while PaCO2 and clinical symptoms remained unchanged. A significant CBF improvement (P<0.05) after nimodipine was seen in the border zone of the ischaemic infarct but not in the core of the lesion or in the unaffected contralateral hemisphere.

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Pozzilli, C., Di Piero, V., Pantano, P. et al. Influence of nimodipine on cerebral blood flow in human cerebral ischaemia. J Neurol 236, 199–202 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314499

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314499

Key words

  • Cerebral blood flow
  • Cerebral ischaemia
  • Nimodipine