Calcium antagonists for the treatment of vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage

Cerebral vasospasm and/or delayed ischaemic state following subarachnoid haemorrhage still remain unsolved serious problems. With the development and introduction of calcium antagonists as well as the advances in perioperative management, however, the clinical outcome has much improved in recent years. Among such drugs, nimodipine and nicardipine are those, of which effectiveness on the vasospasm or delayed ischaemic changes was demonstrated by several double-blind placebo-controlled studies. This paper reviews the current status of the calcium antagonists used in the management of subarachnoid haemorrhage, focusing mainly on the clinical study.