NIMODIPINE IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC CEREBRAL HEMISPHERE INFARCTION

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the e fficacy of oral nimodipine and to compare two different doses in the t reatment of acute hemispheric stroke (120 and 240 mg/day). Of 884 poss ible stroke referrals, 214 were randomised into the trial and 181 cere bral infarctions were available for analysis. Overall there was no sta tistically significant difference (p = 0.49) in mortality or neurologi cal outcome. However, a strong trend in favour of nimodipine was seen throughout the study. A significant benefit was seen (p = 0.06) in les s severely affected patients, i.e. conscious stroke patients vs. uncon scious group. 120 mg/day of nimodipine was found to be better than 240 mg/day in our study.