Effects of a novel free radical scavenger edaravone on acute cerebral infarction

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of edaravone in treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 83 patients of acute ischemic stroke were randomly divided and assigned to a therapy group and a control group. The control group was given a routine treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The therapy group was treated with edaravone in addition to the routine treatment received by the control group. Barthel index (BI) and Chinese stroke scale (CSS) in the two groups were assessed at different time points before treatment and 1 month after treatment. The changes of brain edema and the adverse reaction associated with the edaravone treatment were also observed. Results The results of CSS and BI of two groups improved after 1-month treatment, and CSS and BI of the therapy group was better than the control group (P0.01). After 2-week treatment, the incidence of 2- and 3-grade brain edema of the therapy group was 12%, lower than that of the control group (31%) (P0.05). There was no obvious adverse reaction of the edaravone treatment. Conclusion It is safe and effective to use edaravone in treatment of acute ischemic stroke.