Study on the vasodilator effects of ethyl apovincaminate in neurosurgical patients

Studies have been performed in a series of 44 neurosurgical cases. The patients were subjected to detailed neurological examination and EEG after admission and before being discharged. The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on cortical electric activity was investigated after the administration of 10 mg i.v. Cavinton. In cases on long-term courses of three times daily 5 mg Cavinton in tablets, control EEG was performed one and two months, respectively, after the start of medication. The state of vessels of the eye-ground was also checked. In cerebral angiography attention was concentrated on width of the vascular lumen and visualization of Cavinton effect on vessels which on account of narrowing or spasm had not filled up with contrast medium prior to Cavinton. During angiography the patients were given i.v. 10 mg. Cavinton diluted to 10 ml with physiological saline. In the cases where investigations failed to reveal any change requiring neurosurgical intervention and insufficient cerebral circulation had to be held responsible for the patient's condition, three times 10 mg Cavinton i.v. was administered daily as long as the patient was at our Department. After having been discharged these patients took three times daily 5 mg Cavinton in tablets. Duration of the course of oral Cavinton depended on the degree of improvement in the patient's condition. Cavinton was used with success in cases where cerebral circulation was damaged for functional or organic reasons. Allergic hypersensitivity did not occur in any of the cases, either on single doses or long-term use of parenteral or oral Cavinton.