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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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A Volumetric Method for Quantification of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: July 28, 2018
Evidence-based pharmacotherapy for cerebral vasospasm.
Eric Michael Deshaies1, Alan S Boulos, Doniel Drazin
1Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA. deshaiee@upstate.edu
Neurological Research
|December 26, 2008
Summary
Nimodipine, statins, and enoxaparin are the only drugs with level-1 evidence for treating cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further research is needed for more effective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage presents a significant therapeutic challenge.
- Existing literature on pharmaceutical treatments is extensive but often lacks statistical power for definitive conclusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and categorize pharmacotherapies for cerebral vasospasm based on evidence-based medicine standards.
- To identify treatments with the highest level of evidence for efficacy in managing cerebral vasospasm.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of English-language literature was conducted using the National Library of Medicine.
- Studies were classified according to the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) evidence-based medicine ranking system.
- Efficacy of each pharmacotherapy for cerebral vasospasm was critically evaluated.
Main Results:
- Nimodipine (Nimotop), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and enoxaparin (Lovenox) were identified as the sole pharmacotherapies with USPSTF Level-1 evidence.
- These findings highlight the limited number of treatments supported by the highest level of scientific evidence.
Conclusions:
- While novel medications are under investigation, current evidence indicates a need for more robust clinical trials.
- Developing effective medical treatments to prevent or reverse cerebral vasospasm remains an ongoing area of research.
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