"Triple-H" therapy for cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neurocrit Care. 2006;4(1):68-76. doi: 10.1385/NCC:4:1:068.

Abstract

The combination of induced hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution (triple-H therapy) is often utilized to prevent and treat cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Although this paradigm has gained widespread acceptance over the past 20 years, the efficacy of triple-H therapy and its precise role in the management of the acute phase of SAH remains uncertain. In addition, triple-H therapy may carry significant medical morbidity, including pulmonary edema, myocardial ischemia, hyponatremia, renal medullary washout, indwelling catheter-related complications, cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral edema. This review examines the evidence underlying the implementation of triple-H therapy, and makes practical recommendations for the use of this therapy in patients with aneurysmal SAH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Volume*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Hemodilution*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / complications
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / etiology
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / physiopathology
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / prevention & control*