OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of the comprehensive protocol of integrative medicine in preventing and treating perioperative delayed cerebrovasospasm (DCVS) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODSUsing a prospective randomized controlled trial design, 63 aSAH inpatients were assigned to the treatment group (31 cases, 24 treated by intervention treatment and 7 by craniotomy) and the control group (32 cases, 26 treated by intervention treatment and 6 by craniotomy). All patients were treated with basic therapy and nimodipine. Those in the treatment group additionally took naomai jiejing decoction No. 1 and No. 2. The incidence and the mortality of DCVS, re-bleeding, hydrocephalus were compared on the 180th day. The middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (Vm), PI value, linde-gard index on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 were compared. The Chinese medicine syndrome score, NIHSS, and revised Rankin questionnaire on day 1, 14, and 180 were compared.

RESULTSThe DCVS occurred in 9 cases (29. 0%) of the treatment group and 17 patients (53.1%) of the control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The occurrence of re-hemorrhage was obviously lower in the treatment than in the control group (3.2% vs. 6.2%), showing statistical difference (P < 0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the mortality (6.4% vs. 9.4%) or the occurrence of hydrocephalus (29.0% vs 25.0%, P > 0.05). The Vm, PI, and linde-gard index on day 7, the Vm and linde-gard index on day 14 were obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The Chinese medicine syndrome score and NIHSS on day 14 and 180 were lower in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe comprehensive protocol of integrative medicine could reduce the incidence of aSAH patients' DCVS, the Chinese medicine syndrome score and NIHSS, and improve their clinical symptoms.