Objective: Nicardipine has been used to treat cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intra-arterial (IA) infusion of high concentrations of nicardipine decreases procedure time, but it may affect hemodynamic parameters. In addition, a quantitative measurement of improvement of vessel diameter on the angiograms has not been performed.
Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective database analysis of consecutive patients with symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who failed medical management and received IA nicardipine between September 2005 and June 2006. Nicardipine (1 mg/mL/min) was infused intra-arterially by microcatheter. Blood pressure, heart rate, and intracranial pressure were recorded during the infusion. The effect of IA nicardipine on the vessel's diameter was measured on angiography by two blinded investigators.
Results: Forty-six treatment sessions were performed in 22 consecutive patients (13 women; age, 56.4 +/-13 years). Fourteen patients received IA nicardipine alone, and 8 patients had additional angioplasty. The average nicardipine dose was 12 +/- 10 mg (range, 2-25 mg). The mean decrease of systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure was 17.4 +/- 18.3 mm Hg, 7.7 +/- 10.4 mm Hg, and 10.9 +/- 11.6 mm Hg, respectively. There was no change in intracranial pressure. Measurement of 49 vessels in the 14 patients treated with nicardipine alone showed a significant increase in arterial diameters (range, 1-74%; P < 0.0001). At the time of discharge, 11 patients (50%) were functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2).
Conclusion: High concentrations of IA nicardipine infusion have a reversible effect on blood pressure and heart rate. IA nicardipine results also in a significant improvement in vessel diameter in patients with vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.