Surgery of vertebrobasilar aneurysms and nimodipine

Five patients among 60 consecutive patients suffering from recent subarachnoid hemorrhage were operated for ruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysm. Topical nimodipine treatment was given during the operation after clipping and continued systemically for three weeks. One out of the five patients developed symptoms which could be ascribed to delayed arterial vasospasm. Nimodipine may be advantageous in preventing ischemic complications when used prophylactically. Further investigation is needed to elucidate its efficacy in cases of vertebrobasilar aneurysms and conventional timing of surgery.