Nimodipine can improve cerebral metabolism and outcome in patients with severe head trauma

In the present study, the effect of nimodipine was investigated in a patient with severe head trauma. Nimodipine was administered into the peripheral vein to prevent secondary neuronal damages in patients. The five patients in control group were treated according to the standard procedures without nimodipine. Other five patients in nimodipine group were treated with standard procedures plus nimodipine. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), intracranial pressure (ICP), jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO(2)), jugular lactate and glucose levels were measured. Additionally, all patients were evaluated with Glascow outcome score (GOS) before discharge. It was found that CPP (p < 0.05) and SjvO(2) (p < 0.05)were significantly higher; but, ICP (p < 0.001),jugular lactate (p < 0.05) and jugular glucose (p < 0.05) were lower in nimodipine than that of control groups. Again, GOS values were significantly higher in nimodipine than that of control groups (p < 0.05). Results of this study revealed that nimodipine can improve cerebral metabolism and outcome in patient with severe head trauma. Thus, nimodipine may be considered as a protective agent against severe head trauma related neuronal injuries. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.