Control of hypertension and prophylaxis against vasospasm in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage: a preliminary report

Abstract

Thirty hypertensive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were divided randomly into two groups. The treated group was begun on preliminary volume expansion, and control of hypertension was carried out using vasodilators and centrally acting drugs. The control group was treated in the classical manner for hypertension, with a diuretic as the foundation for therapy. The incidence of clinical vasospasm was compared to that of angiographic spasm. The incidence of preoperative vasospasm in the treated group was 20%, as compared to 60% in the untreated group (P less than 0.01). Of the treated group, 87% survived to operation, whereas only 53% of the control group survived to operation (P less than 0.01).