Intraarterial nimodipine infusion to treat symptomatic cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Clinical Outcome in Cerebral Vasospasm Patients Treated with and without Intra-Arterial Nimodipine Infusion

BACKGROUND

 Cerebral vasospasm (CV) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is still a problem. Hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution (triple-H) therapy and oral nimodipine only a modest effect on patients. Intra-arterial treatment, including nimodipine, has been studied, but only as retrospective and single-arm prospective studies. We compared the outcomes between CV patients who received an adjunct intra-arterial nimodipine infusion (IANI) and those who received the standard medical treatment alone in a prospective randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

 In this study, patients between the age of 18 and 80 years, who underwent angiography within 14 days after aneurysm obliteration, were recruited and randomized to receive adjunct IANI or not, if they were identified with angiographic vasospasm. All the angiographic and neurologic data were recorded and analyzed during their admission, at the discharge date, and during the 6-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

 From June 2016 to December 2018, we enrolled 68 patients who were randomized into two groups, 36 in the intervention group and 32 in the control group. The patients' characteristics, aneurysm data, and modalities of treatment were similar between the two groups. Within 24 hours after IANI, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and motor strength revealed a significant improvement of 33.33 and 38.89%, respectively, in the intervention group versus 12.5 and 9.38%, respectively, in the control group. At discharge, the intervention group still had significant motor improvement (58.33 vs. 21.88%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

 IANI could be considered an effective treatment for CV without significant complications. This is the first RCT demonstrating statistically significant motor strength improvement within 24 hours and at discharge.

Intra-arterial nimodipine for severe cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage - neurological and radiological outcome

Objectives

Cerebral vasospasm is a known complication to aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, which can lead to severe morbidity. Intra-arterial vasodilation therapy is widely used as a last resort treatment in patients with symptomatic refractory cerebral vasospasm but there is limited data about the outcome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neurological and radiological outcome in patients treated with intra-arterial nimodipine in relation to cerebral infarction, procedure-related complications and clinical outcome.

Methods

Patients with refractory cerebral vasospasm treated with intra-arterial nimodipine during 2009–2020 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale) at 30 days and 6 months, development of cerebral infarction after intra-arterial nimodipine treatment and procedure-related complications were studied.

Results

Forty-eight patients were treated with intra-arterial nimodipine. A good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) was seen in 25% (n = 12) of the patients after 30 days and in 47% (n = 22) of the patients after six months. Infarction related to the vasospastic vessel after treatment with intra-arterial nimodipine was seen in 60% (n = 29) of the patients. A total of 124 procedures with intra-arterial nimodipine were performed where complications were seen in 10 (21%) patients in 10 (8%) procedures. Four (8%) patients died within 30 days.

Conclusions

A majority of patients developed an ischaemic cerebral infarction in spite of intra-arterial nimodipine treatment. However, a good clinical recovery was seen in almost half of the patients after 6 months. Minor complications occurred in one out of five patients.

Solid Dispersion: A Mechanistic and Realistic Approach on Antihypertensive Drug as a Drug Carrier System

A major percentage of the new chemical entities are reported to have poor aqueous solubility. Several antihypertensive drugs used clinically have either low solubility or high hepatic metabolism, thereby presenting low bioavailability (BA) and high pharmacokinetic variability. Improving the aqueous solubility of drug molecules would assist in overcoming the variability, and several approaches for improving solubility have been reported. Solid dispersion (SD) is known as a potential technique to conquer the problem of poor aqueous solubility and low BA. Drug solubility is improved by increasing the wetting property of drugs. This review is focused on discussing various approaches to improve solubility, classification, and different approaches used for formulation of SDs, along with special emphasis on the application of the SD approach for improving solubility and eventually enhancing dissolution and increasing the BA of antihypertensive drugs. The review leads to the conclusion that the use of more than one polymeric carrier for formulating SDs might help in overcoming storage and stability issues and in increasing the commercial viability and success of SDs.

Intra-arterial nimodipine for the treatment of vasospasm due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The cerebral vasospasm is still considered the most devastating complication for the patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of intra-arterial nimodipine administration in cerebral vasospasm diminutions and outcome of the patients.

Endovascular therapy for vasospasm after aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Balloon angioplasty and/or selective intra-arterial vasodilator therapies are treatment options in patients with vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We analyzed the effect of balloon angioplasty and/or selective intra-arterial vasodilator therapy in our patients.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients (vasodilation group, VDT) were treated with intra-arterial nimodipine. The balloon angioplasty with nimodiopine-group (BAP-N group) comprised 21 patients. The primary endpoint of this study was successful angiographic vessel dilation in vasospastic vessels after balloon angioplasty, together with nimodipine (BAP-N group), compared to intra-arterial vasodilator therapy (VDT group) with nimodipine alone.

RESULTS

A significant effect of angioplasty plus nimodipine was found in the central arteries (composite endpoint) with an OR of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4-4.2], p = 0.002), indicating a chance of improvement of the BAP-N group of more than twice compared to nimodipine infusions alone. Significant advantages for BAP-N-therapy were also encountered in the internal carotid artery (OR 5.4, p < 0.001) and basilar artery (OR 29.7, p = 0.003). A joint analysis of all arteries combined failed to show significant benefit of BAP-N therapy (OR 1.5, p = 0.079), which was also true for cerebral peripheral arteries (OR 0.77, p = 0.367). There was no difference in clinical outcome between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In SAH patients with vasospasm, a combination therapy of balloon angioplasty and intra-arterial nimodipine resulted in a more than doubled vasodilative effect in the central cerebral arteries compared to the sole infusion of nimodipine. Regarding the ICA and BA arteries, this beneficial effect was even more pronounced. Although there was a tendency of better effects of the BAP-N group, regarding the overall effect in all territories combined, this failed to reach statistical evidence. In cerebral peripheral arteries, no differences were observed, and there was no difference in clinical outcome, too.

Is intra arterial nimodipine really beneficial in vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage?

Object/Background: Vasospasm is a common cause of mortality and morbidity following rupture of intracranial aneurysm. Hemodynamic therapy instituted in these patients in the past has been replaced by direct manipulation of the spastic vessels by angioplasty and intra-arterial infusion of vasodilators. However, no case control studies exist proving its superiority. The purpose of our study was to compare the efficacy of intra-arterial nimodipine (IAN) to that of hemodynamic therapy in patients with vasospasm following aSAH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-three patients who developed vasospasm following aSAH were included in the study. IAN was instilled in addition to hemodynamic therapy in 39 patients and 14 patients (who refused to give consent for IAN) were continued on hemodynamic therapy alone and served as controls. The response to IAN was studied on angiogram. The clinical response was assessed in both the groups at regular intervals. IAN was repeated if necessary. The outcome (GOS) at discharge and at 3 months after discharge was compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-six (92.3%) out of 39 patients showed immediate angiographic reversal of vasospasm.28 of them showed clinical response, of which only 11 had lasting response. 11(28.2%) of 39 patients who received IAN had a good outcome at discharge and 23(58.9%) had a favourable outcome at 3 months follow up. In those who received hemodynamic therapy alone, 4 out of 14(28.6%) patients had a good outcome at discharge and 8 (57.1%) a favourable outcome at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiographic reversal of vasospasm is seen in majority of the patients following IAN. However, this does not necessarily translate into a long lasting clinical response. The final outcome in patients who received hemodynamic therapy is comparable to those who received additional IAN. IAN does not appear to provide a major added advantage over the conventional hemodynamic therapy.

Intra-arterial nimodipine for cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage: Influence on clinical course and predictors of clinical outcome

Intra-arterial nimodipine (IAN) has shown a promising effect on cerebral vasospasm (CV) after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. At our institution, Rigshospitalet, IAN treatment has been used since 2009, but the short- and long-term clinical efficacy of IAN has not yet been assessed. The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy and clinical outcome of IAN treatment of symptomatic CV, and to assess the predictors of clinical outcome. Medical records of 25 patients undergoing a total of 41 IAN treatment sessions were retrospectively reviewed. Data on angiographic results, blood-flow velocities and the clinical condition before and after the IAN treatment were recorded. Predictors of the clinical outcome were assessed with a linear regression model. Positive angiographic response was achieved in 95.1% of 41 IAN treatment sessions. Flow-velocity measurements showed no relationship with angiographic responses of IAN. The immediate clinical improvement was observed in three patients (12%). Five patients (20%) had a favourable outcome at discharge and at three-month follow-up; 10 patients (40%) had a moderate to poor outcome; and the rest (40%) died. Increased number of affected vessels and number of procedures carried out per patient, and a trend toward an increased delay time from symptomatic CV to confirming angiographic CV and thus instituting IAN treatment predicted the poor clinical outcome. IAN treatment appears to be effective in reversing angiographic CV. However, it is not always effective in reversing clinical deterioration, as several other factors including treatment delay affect the clinical course.

Clinical Variables Correlated with Numbers of Intra-arterial Nimodipine Infusion in Patients with Medically Refractory Cerebral Vasospasm

Objective

The objective of this study was to find out the clinical variables correlated with repeated intra-arterial (IA) nimodipine infusions in patients with medically refractory cerebral vasospasm (CV) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Materials and Methods

During the 36 months between January 2011 and December 2013, 275 patients were treated at our institute for SAH due to a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Of the 275 patients, 26 patients (9.5%) met the inclusion criteria. For each patient, a retrospective review of their medical records was conducted.

Results

Eleven patients underwent a single IA nimodipine infusion and 15 patients underwent more than two IA nimodipine infusions. Multiple IA nimodipine infusion patients had poor improvement (2 of 15 patients, 13.3%) in Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores after the first IA nimodipine infusion compared to patients of single IA nimodipine infusion (6 of 11 patients, 54.6%) (p = 0.038). The mean middle cerebral artery (MCA) Lindegaard ratio of multiple IA nimodipine infusion patients was 4.3 ± 1.1 after the first IA nimodipine infusion (p = 0.039). In multiple IA nimodipine infusion patients, CV occurred more often bilaterally (p = 0.035) and distally (p = 0.001). More vessel segments were affected in multiple IA nimodipine infusion patients (3.1 ± 1.0) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The following factors correlated with multiple IA nimodipine infusions: 1) no improvement in GCS after the IA nimodipine infusion; 2) no decrease of MCA velocity on transcranial doppler over 50 cm/s or Lindegaard ratio over 4.3 after the IA nimodipine infusion; 3) distal, bilateral, or diffuse involvement of CV.

Current options for the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced cerebral vasospasm: a comprehensive review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Cerebral vasospasm is one of the leading causes of morbi-mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The aim of this article is to discuss the current status of vasospasm therapy with emphasis on endovascular treatment.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature obtained by a PubMed search. The most relevant articles related to medical, endovascular and alternative therapies were selected for discussion.

RESULTS

Current accepted medical options include the oral nimodipine and 'triple-H' therapy (hypertension, hypervolemia and hemodilution). Nimodipine remains the only modality proven to reduce the incidence of infarction. Although widely used, 'triple-H' therapy has not been demonstrated to significantly change overall outcome after cerebral vasospasm. Indeed, both induced hypervolemia and hemodilution may have deleterious effects, and more recent physiologic data favor normovolemia with induced hypertension or optimization of cardiac output. Endovascular options include percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) and intra-arterial (IA) infusion of vasodilators. Multiple case reports and case series have been encountered in the literature using different drug regimens with diverse mechanisms of action. Compared with PTA, IA drug infusion has the advantages of distal penetration and a better safety profile. Its main disadvantages are the more frequent need for repeat treatments and its systemic hemodynamic repercussions. Alternative options using intraventricular/cisternal drug therapy and flow augmentation strategies have also shown possible benefits; however, their use is not yet as well established.

CONCLUSION

Blood pressure or cardiac output optimization should be the mainstay of hyperdynamic therapy. Endovascular treatment appears to have a positive impact on neurological outcome compared with the natural history of the disease. The role of intraventricular therapy and flow augmentation strategies in association with medical and endovascular treatment may, in the future, play a growing role in the management of patients with severe refractory vasospasm.

Intracranial drug delivery for subarachnoid hemorrhage

Tice and colleagues pioneered site-specific, sustained-release drug delivery to the brain almost 30 years ago. Currently there is one drug approved for use in this manner. Clinical trials in subarachnoid hemorrhage have led to approval of nimodipine for oral and intravenous use, but other drugs, such as clazosentan, hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and magnesium, have not shown consistent clinical efficacy. We propose that intracranial delivery of drugs such as nimodipine, formulated in sustained-release preparations, are good candidates for improving outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage because they can be administered to patients that are already undergoing surgery and who have a self-limited condition from which full recovery is possible.

Intra-arterial nimodipine infusion for cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

This study evaluated the efficacy of intra-arterial nimodipine infusion for symptomatic vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Clinical data collected from 42 consecutive patients with symptomatic vasospasm after aSAH were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-two patients underwent 101 sessions of intra-arterial nimodipine infusion. Angiographic response, immediate clinical response, and clinical outcome were evaluated at discharge and six months later. Angiographic improvement was achieved in 82.2% of patients. The immediate clinical improvement rate was 68.3%, while the deterioration rate was 5.0%. A favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 76.2% at discharge and 84.6% six months. Vasospasm-related infarction occurred in 21.4%. There was no drug-related complication. The nimodipine group showed satisfactory outcomes. Nimodipine can be recommended as an effective and safe intra-arterial agent for the treatment of symptomatic vasospasm after aSAH.

Resistant vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage treated with continuous intraarterial nimodipine infusion

Cerebral vasospasm complicating aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a well-known medical entity. The delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) as a result of vasospasm remain the main cause of morbidity among patients who manage to survive this severe disease pattern. When the traditional treatment options, either medical or interventional, fail to reverse vasospasm, continuous intraarterial infusion of nimodipine through catheters directly into the spastic arteries presents a promising treatment modality. Of 73 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage between 2008 and 2009, a total of 27 had Hunt and Hess grades of 4 and 5. Fifteen percent of them showed refractory vasospasms and were treated with continuous nimodipine infusion via catheters in both internal carotid arteries. We present the method's indications and possible complications.