Oral administration of cilnidipine to patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the acute stage: significance and role of an N-type calcium channel blocker.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure (BP) causes rebleeding or enlargement of intracerebral hematomas. AIMS: How a long-acting oral calcium channel blocker, cilnidipine, could control BP in the acute stage of cerebral hemorrhage was evaluated. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Cilnidipine given within 3 days of hospitalization has more benefit than cilnidipine given after 4 days of hospitalization; it can reduce the amount of intravenous nicardipine, and it can help to maintain the BP below 80% of the initial BP. Surgical removal of the hematoma has no benefit in reducing the amount of intravenous nicardipine and maintaining the BP below 80% of the initial BP.
CONCLUSION: In order to reduce the total amount of intravenous nicardipine and to maintain the BP below 80% of the initial BP, oral administration of a long-acting N-type calcium channel blocker, cilnidipine, is useful and important, independent of whether the hematomas are surgically removed.