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Nicardipine after spinal cord compression in the lamb
P W Hitchon1, T Hansen, T McKay
1Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City 52242.
Surgical Neurology
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, decreased blood pressure and spinal cord blood flow in lambs with spinal cord compression. Spinal evoked potentials did not recover in either treated or control groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Background:
- Spinal cord compression can lead to neurological deficits.
- Understanding the impact of pharmacological interventions on spinal cord blood flow is crucial for managing such injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and spinal evoked potentials (SEPs) following acute spinal cord compression.
- To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of nicardipine in this model.
Main Methods:
- Anesthetized lambs underwent spinal cord compression, inducing paraparesis.
- Nicardipine was administered intravenously to the treatment group (n=10), while a control group (n=10) received saline.
- Mean arterial pressure (MAP), SCBF, and SEPs were monitored.
Main Results:
- Nicardipine administration resulted in a significant reduction in MAP compared to controls.
- Thirty minutes post-compression, SCBF was significantly lower in the nicardipine group versus the control group.
- SEPs showed no recovery in either the nicardipine or control groups after compression.
Conclusions:
- Nicardipine significantly lowers blood pressure and reduces spinal cord blood flow in a lamb model of spinal cord compression.
- Despite hemodynamic changes, nicardipine did not improve the recovery of spinal evoked potentials after cord compression.