Which oral antihypertensive medication should be given to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients within 24 hours of admission?
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3 min read
According to guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, oral nimodipine should be administered to all patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) to improve neurological outcomes. This medication, a calcium channel blocker, is typically initiated as soon as feasible, ideally within 24 hours of admission, though within 96 hours is acceptable. It is crucial to distinguish nimodipine's role in preventing delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) from other antihypertensive agents used specifically for acute blood pressure control.