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Efficacy and Safety of Vinpocetine as Part of Treatment for Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled, Multicenter CAVIN (Chinese Assessment for Vinpocetine in Neurology) Trial

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Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous vinpocetine administration as part of a comprehensive treatment for acute cerebral infarction in a Chinese population.

Methods

610 acute cerebral infarction patients were randomized into two groups: the vinpocetine group (469 patients) received cytidine disphosphate choline 0.4–0.5 g in combination with aspirin 75–100 mg or clopidogrel 75 mg once daily, plus vinpocetine 30 mg intravenously once daily for 7 days, while the control group (141 patients) received cytidine disphosphate choline 0.4–0.5 g in combination with aspirin 75–100 mg or clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 7 days. Additionally, patients received medications for symptoms such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and intracranial hypertension when necessary. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale, and Barthel Index (BI) scores and transcranial doppler (TCD) were assessed at baseline, 7, 14, and 90 days after treatment. Adverse events (AEs) and abnormalities in blood, urine, liver, and kidney function were monitored.

Results

MMSE, NIHSS, and BI scores were significantly higher in the vinpocetine group than in the control group 90 days after treatment, indicating significantly improved cognitive skill, neurological function, and quality of life (QOL) in the vinpocetine group versus the control group. Importantly, such effects of vinpocetine were maintained over time. In addition, TCD monitoring showed significantly increased cerebral blood flow associated with vinpocetine versus control. No significant difference in safety was noted between the two groups.

Conclusions

When used as part of treatment for acute cerebral infarction, vinpocetine improves patients’ cerebral blood flow, cognitive quality, neurological functions, and QOL. Vinpocetine could be an effective and safe component of treatment regimen for acute cerebral infarction.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Hungarian Embassy in China for their support of this study. We would further like to thank Beijing Military General Hospital, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, The People’s Hospital of Liaoning Province, Beijing Haidian Hospital, Tianjin Hospital of Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, Xi’an Central Hospital, Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital, The People’s Hospital of Lvshunkou Dalian, and Anshan Changda Hospital for their participation in and support of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Beijing Military General Hospital, Nanmencang #5, Dongsi Street, Beijing, 100700, China

    Weiwei Zhang & Ying Li

  2. Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku St, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China

    Yining Huang

  3. The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139 Renmin Rd (Mid), Changsha, Hunan, China

    Liming Tan

  4. Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao St, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China

    Jianfei Nao

  5. Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, No. 31 East St, Xijiekou, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China

    Hongtao Hu

  6. The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 37 Yuyuan St, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China

    Jingyu Zhang

  7. Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, No. 41 Zhejiang Rd, Tanggu District, Tianjin, 300450, China

    Chen Li

  8. Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital, No. 68 Zhongshan Rd, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangsu, China

    Yuenan Kong

  9. Anshan Changda Hospital, No. 69, Changda St, Teidong District, Anshan, Liaoning, China

    Yulin Song

Authors
  1. Weiwei Zhang
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  2. Yining Huang
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  4. Liming Tan
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  7. Jingyu Zhang
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  8. Chen Li
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  9. Yuenan Kong
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  10. Yulin Song
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Weiwei Zhang.

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Funding

This study is partly funded by the Chinese-Hungarian Scientific Cooperation Fund supported by the Hungary Embassy in China. The funding source did not play any role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

Conflict of interest

Weiwei Zhang, Yining Huang, Ying Li, Liming Tan, Jianfei Nao, Hongtao Hu, Jingyu Zhang, Chen Li, Yuenan Kong, and Yulin Song declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures in this study were in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its amendments and were approved by the institutional review board of each participating hospital.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all of the enrolled patients.

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Zhang, W., Huang, Y., Li, Y. et al. Efficacy and Safety of Vinpocetine as Part of Treatment for Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled, Multicenter CAVIN (Chinese Assessment for Vinpocetine in Neurology) Trial. Clin Drug Investig 36, 697–704 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-016-0415-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-016-0415-x

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