J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2002 Aug;32(2):89-95.

Papaverine Angioplasty for Cerebral Vasospasm: Preliminary Report

• Kwon OK
• Lee DY
• Oh CW
• Han MH
• Kim CY
• Han DH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We present an evaluation of the clinical outcome and an investigation of the optimal use of papaverine angioplasty for the treatment of symptomatic vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.
METHODS
The authors retrospectively analyzed 24 cases of symptomatic vasospasm treated by papaverine angioplasty from July 1994 to February 1998. Detailed clinical features and detailed techniques of papaverine angioplasty including sex, age, symptoms, time interval from symptom onset to angioplasty, papaverine dose, concentration and duration of infusion were investigated.
RESULTS
After papaverine angioplasty, immediate angiographic vasodilatation was achieved in 23 cases (96%). Fifty eight percent showed clinical improvement within 24 hours but symptomatic vasospasm recurred in 21% of them. Retreatment with papaverine for the recurred cases showed a less response than the initial treatment. Statistical analyses showed that time interval from symptom onset to angioplasty was the factor related to the effects of papaverine angioplasty.
CONCLUSION
Our study shows that optimal timing of papaverine angioplasty is very important for clinical improvement.

Keyword

SAH; Vasospasm; Papaverine angioplasty

MeSH Terms

Angioplasty*
Papaverine*
Retreatment
Retrospective Studies
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Vasodilation
Vasospasm, Intracranial*
Papaverine