Draining cerebrospinal fluid may improve the recovery of patients who have had a hemorrhagic stroke. This was shown by a review study published in the journal. World Brain Surgery.
Studies of 2,473 patients analyzed by the authors of the new study showed that pumping cerebrospinal fluid into the lower back after a hemorrhagic stroke could prevent cerebral vasospasm and tissue damage.
A hemorrhagic stroke causes long-term disruption of blood flow to the brain. Scientists suggest that this may be due to the accumulation of metabolic products from the blood in the brain tissue. This condition causes swelling and narrowing of the vessels and loss of brain tissue. Draining the cerebrospinal fluid improves blood flow to the brain, thus increasing the chance of survival without the risk of serious complications. However, protection against death was observed for six months or longer.
The review authors believe the data suggest that larger clinical studies of the approach they describe are needed.
Previous scientists I learnedA drug made from Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to improve thinking after a stroke.