NIMODIPINE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY

Objective:To test the efficacy and safety of early intervention with nimodipine treatment in DAI patients Methods:Based on the characteristic radiological signs and criteria for diffuse axonal injury(DAI), 60 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of DAI were enrolled in this open, parallel and controlled study Results:Nimodipine proved to be safe and well tolerated. Nimodipine produced a better clinical result than placebo, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups on favorable outcome at 3 months after injury.A clinical significance was suggested by the analyses in the subgroup of clinical Grade Ⅲ DAI. With the of TCD sonography we found that there is a higher incidence of cerebral vasospasm in this series (40%). Conclusions:A clinically valuable benefit is possible with early treatment of nimodipine in DAI patients.However, the prevention of ischemic brain damage remains the important therapeutic target in clinical management of DAI.