Edaravone in the treatment of severe head injuries

Objective To study the efficacy of edaravone on the brain edema after the severe craniocerebral injury as well as the brain protective mechanism of edaravone. Methods From Aug.2003 to Aug. 2008,165 patients with severe craniocerebral injury treated with edaravone were analyzed retrospectively. Additionally,165 patients with severe craniocerebral injury treated with routine therapy were regarded as controls. Results Among the 165 cases in edaraone group,Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):8-6 121 cases,good recovery 92 cases (76%),moderate disability 12 (9.9%),severe disability 10 cases (8.26%),vegetative cases 4 cases (3.3%),death 3 cases (2.47%); Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):5-3 44 cases,good recovery 20 cases (45.54%),moderate disability 14 cases (31.81%),severe disability 4 cases (9.09%),vegetative 2 cases (4.54%),death 4 cases (9.09%). Total death 8 cases (6.61%). Among the 165 cases in the control group,Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):8-6 121 cases,good recovery 56 cases (46.28%),moderate disability 31 (25.61%),severe disability 21 cases (17.35%),vegetative 4 cases (3.3%),death 9 cases (7.43%). Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):5-3 44 cases,good recovery 12 cases (27.27%),moderate disability 16 cases (36.36%),severe disability6 cases (13.63%),vegetative 3 cases (6.81%),death 7 cases (15.9%). Total death 16 cases (13.22%). Conclusion Edaravone can effectively remove the free radicals and reduce the brain edema after of severe craniocerebral injury,and hence significantly promote neurological recovery,reduce the mortality,improve the prognosis,and improve the quality of life.