PURPOSE: To measure the mean cerebral circulation time (CCT) in patien
ts with symptomatic vasospasm stemming from subarachnoid hemorrhage an
d to determine any change after papaverine treatment. METHODS: We stud
ied 27 patients who received intraarterial papaverine from November 19
92 to August 1995 to determine the CCT in 59 carotid territories. CCT
was measured from the first image in which contrast was seen above the
supraclinoid internal carotid artery to the peak filling of parietal
cortical veins, Angiograms at the time of presentation were examined i
n 19 of the 27 patients. A control population of 19 patients (30 carot
id territories) was also studied. RESULTS: The mean CCT on presentatio
n was 6.8 seconds +/-1.1. The prepapaverine mean CCT was 6.1 seconds /- 1.2. The immediate postpapaverine mean CCT was 3.8 seconds +/- 0.8.
CCT decreased in 58 of 59 territories treated with papaverine; the me
an change was -35.7%. In eight of these patients, CCT rose on the foll
owing day to 6.1 seconds +/- 1.1. In the control group, mean CCT was 5
.9 seconds +/- 0.8. The mean CCT in patients with subarachnoid hemorrh
age was slightly prolonged on presentation relative to that in control
subjects. CONCLUSION: Intraarterial papaverine produces a consistent
decrease in CCT in patients with vasospasm.