[Prophylactic treatment of vasospasm with nimodipine in subarachnoid hemorrhage]

Nimodipine, a calcium antagonist, was administered to 33 patients with subarachnoidal haemorrhage as prophylaxis of late ischaemic neurological deficiency. Despite the relatively high frequency of vasospasm during repeated angiographic examinations (27%), the general therapeutic effect in the group of treated patients was favourable. 52% patients improved and had no or only a minimal neurological deficit. Possible mechanisms of the favourable effect of nimodipine in subarachnoidal haemorrhage are mentioned in the discussion.