Cerebral vasospasm

Abstract

Cerebral vasospasm (specifically, intracranial arterial spasm) is variously defined as: (1) an arteriographically evident narrowing of the lumen of one or more of the major intracranial arteries at the base of the brain due to contraction of the smooth muscle within the arterial wall, or due to the morphological changes in the arterial wall and along its endothelial surface that occur in response to vessel injury; (2) the delayed onset of a neurological deficit following subarachnoid hemorrhage, thought to be due to ischemia or infarction of a portion of the brain; or (3) the combination of these two features (symptomatic vasospasm). The arterial contraction of intracranial arterial spasm typically develops a few days after the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm and lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Such arterial spasm can also occur in other conditions such as head trauma. If it is severe enough it can lead to cerebral infarction. The pathogenesis of this condition is still unclear. Many ingenious attempts have been made to prevent or treat cerebral vasospasm, but most have failed. The best current approach is to ensure adequate blood volume, and to elevate the patient's blood pressure (especially if the aneurysm has been secured by an early operation). The continuing investigation of drugs such as calcium channel blocking agents to improve the cerebral circulation has begun to provide additional help.