Incidence of Arterial Hypotension in Patients Receiving Peroral or Continuous Intra-arterial Nimodipine After Aneurysmal or Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background Oral nimodipine is used for prophylaxis and treatment of delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with aneurysmal or perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In cases of serious refractory cerebral vasospasm, a continuous intra-arterial (IA) infusion of nimodipine (CIAN) may be required to avoid cerebral ischemia. Nimodipine can cause arterial hypotension requiring either a dosage reduction or its discontinuation. Aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different nimodipine formulations on arterial blood pressure in aneurysmal or perimesencephalic SAH patients and to measure the plasma levels after both, peroral administration as tablet or solution and IA infusion.