ISSN:
0942-0940
Keywords:
Acute head injury
;
barbiturate coma
;
cerebral blood flow
;
cerebral metabolism
;
hyperventilation
;
indomethacin
;
intracranial pressure
;
intracranial hypertension
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary In five head-injured patients with cerebral contusion and oedema in whom it was not possible to control intracranial pressure (ICP) (ICP〉20 mmHg) by artificial hyperventilation (PaCO2 level 3.5–4.0 kPa) and barbiturate sedation, indomethacin was used as a vasoconstrictor drug. In all patients, indomethacin (a bolus injection of 30 mg, followed by 30 mg/h for seven hours) reduced ICP below 20 mmHg for several hours. Studies of cerebral circulation and metabolism during indomethacin treatment showed a decrease in CBF at 2h. After 7h, ICP remained below 20 mmHg in three patients, and these still had reduced CBF. In the other patients a return of ICP and CBF to pretreatment levels was observed. In all patients indomethacin treatment was followed by a fall in rectal temperature. These results suggest that indomethacin due to its cerebral vasoconstrictor and antipyretic effect should be considered as an alternative for treatment of ICP-hypertension in head-injured patients.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01418518
