Transdermal nitroglycerin in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Reinert, Michael; Wiest, Roland; Barth, Laurence; Andres, Robert; Ozdoba, Christoph; Seiler, Rolf (2004). Transdermal nitroglycerin in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neurological research, 26(4), pp. 435-9. Leeds: Maney 10.1179/016164104225015976

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Delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND) following cerebral vasospasm remains a cause for high morbidity and mortality in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There is experimental and clinical evidence of positive effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors on cerebral vasospasm. We therefore analysed the effect of transdermal nitroglycerin in patients with SAH measuring transcranial Doppler velocities (TCD), cerebral blood flow (CBF) and DIND. Nitroglycerin was used in a target dose of 14 microg/kg/h. TCD assessment was performed daily. CBF measurements were done using the perfusion CT-technique. Blood pressure, volume intake and vasopressor administration, were registered. Nine patients were randomly assigned either to the nitroglycerin group (N-group) and eight patients in the control group (C-group). Mean TCD values in the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were lower in the N-group (p<0.005). Mean TCD in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) showed no difference. The Lindegaard ratio was higher in the N-group (p<0.04). CBF in the N-group was higher than in the C-group (p<0.03). Even though nitroglycerin reduces blood pressure and lowers ICA TCD-values and increases the Lindegaard ratio, a higher CBF was measured in the N-group. Thus, nitroglycerin influences the cerebral vascular tone and increases CBF. SAH therapy with nitroglycerin is possible without increasing the risk of DIND. The exact timing of onset, duration and reduction of nitroglycerin administration in respect to the appearance of vasospasm may have a strong impact on the success of such a therapy.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Head Organs and Neurology (DKNS) > Clinic of Neurosurgery
UniBE Contributor:	Reinert, Michael
ISSN:	0161-6412
ISBN:	15198873
Publisher:	Maney
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 15:02
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:19
Publisher DOI:	10.1179/016164104225015976
PubMed ID:	15198873
Web of Science ID:	000222021400014
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/27037 (FactScience: 101368)