Vinpocetine treatment in acute ischaemic stroke: a pilot single-blind randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the safety and feasibility of a clinical trial on the effect of vinpocetine, a synthetic ethyl ester of apovincamine, in acute ischaemic stroke. Thirty consecutive patients with computed tomography verified diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke, who could receive drug treatment within 72 h of stroke onset, were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either low-molecular weight dextran alone or in combination with vinpocetine. Poor outcome was defined as being dead or having a Barthel index of < 70 or a Rankin score of 3--5. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied. One-tenth of all hospitalized patients with acute ischaemic stroke were eligible for the trial. Thirty eligible patients were treated with either low-molecular weight dextran alone (mean age 57.9 +/- 11.6 years, n = 15) or in combination with vinpocetine (mean age 60.8 +/- 6.6 years, n = 15). The two treatment groups were comparable with respect to major prognostic variables. A relative risk (RR) reduction of poor outcome at 3 months follow-up was 30% (RR = 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1--3.4), as defined by the modified Barthel Index, and 60% as defined by the modified Ranking score (RR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1--1.7). The National Institute of Health (NIH--NINDS) Stroke Scale score was marginally significantly better in the vinpocetine treated group at 3 months of follow-up (P = 0.05, ANOVA). No significant adverse effects were seen. This pilot study shows that a full-scale randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vinpocetine treatment in acute ischaemic stroke is feasible and warranted.

• Authors: V L Feigin, B M Doronin, T F Popova, E V Gribatcheva, D V Tchervov
• Journal: European journal of neurology (Eur J Neurol) Vol. 8 Issue 1 Pg. 81-5 (Jan 2001) ISSN: 1351-5101 [Print] England
• PMID: 11509086 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dextrans
• Drug Combinations
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Vinca Alkaloids
• vinpocetine

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Aged
• Brain Ischemia (complications)
• Dextrans (chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Drug Combinations
• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Molecular Weight
• Neuroprotective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Pilot Projects
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Stroke (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vinca Alkaloids (therapeutic use)