Safety and Efficacy Study of Clevidipine to Control Hypertension in Patients Admitted With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

This is a single center, single-arm, non-blinded dose titration efficacy and safety trial evaluating the ability of clevidipine, a vascular-selective L-type calcium channel antagonist, to rapidly control acute hypertension in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. At screening a clinical and neurological examination will be carried out. For the purposes of this study, acute hypertension will be defined as a range of SBP to be controlled within immediately prior to initiation of study drug. Approximately 20 patients with acute A SAH will be enrolled. Infusion of study drug will be initiated as soon ass the patient arrives in the ER and diagnosis is made and consent is obtained. All eligible patients will be enrolled to receive clevidipine in an open label manner. Clevidipine will be infused at an initial rate of 2.0 mg/h for the first 90 seconds. Thereafter, titration to higher infusion rates can be attempted as needed q90 seconds to obtain the target SBP range. Titration to effect is to proceed by doubling the dose every 90 seconds, up to a maximum of 32.0 mg/h, until the desired effect (SBP within the target range) is attained. Clevidipine infusion may continue for up to a maximum of 48 hours. Blood pressure and ICP recording will be recorded q 5 minutes. Assessment of safety will be performed throughout the treatment period and until 6 hours after termination of study drug.