Prevention and Treatment of Delayed Ischaemic Dysfunction in Patients with Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

The papers presented in this supplement volume of "Acta Neurochirugica" cover a broad spectrum of topics, from basic data on the pathophysiology of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) and delayed ischaemic dysfunction to the clinical use of Nimodipine which has been largely documented among calcium inhibitors for its cerebro-vascular properties. The first two presentations deal with the pathophysiological events following SAH, and discuss a variety of mechanisms which may be responsible for the neurological dysfunction. The second part discusses the cerebro-vascular and direct cerebral effects of Nimodipine and its evaluation by transcranial Doppler sonography and the interactions of this with general anaesthesia. Therapeutic aspects constitute the third part of this volume. On the basis of present knowledge and experience, it seems that early surgery combined with prophylactic treatment represents the best option for patients after aneurysmal rupture.