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.