Nimodipine and the evolution of hemorheological variables after acute ischemic stroke.

We studied the effects of the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine on the evolution of hemorheological variables during the first 3 weeks following ischemic stroke. We studied 13 patients and found that, compared to baseline levels, plasma fibrinogen concentration and low-shear whole-blood viscosity rose significantly in patients receiving placebo but not in those receiving nimodipine. Red blood cell aggregation rose in both groups but less so in nimodipine-treated patients. Hematocrit, high-shear whole-blood viscosity, and red blood cell deformability did not change significantly in either group. In conclusion, the use of nimodipine appears to alter the evolution of some hemorheological variables following acute ischemic stroke.