[Comparative evaluation of drugs used in the treatment of brain edema in cerebral stroke and their effects on cerebral blood flow].

Altogether 102 patients with grave cerebral stroke were examined for the efficacy of the treatment of brain edema with lasix, mannitol+, glycerol and dexamethasone and for the influence of the drugs on the rheological blood properties. Blood osmolality was studied depending on the time elapsed since the moment of stroke as were its changes after administration of the osmoactive substances (mannitol+, glycerol). Analysis of the data obtained indicates that dexamethasone and glycerol produce the highest clinical effect together with a favourable influence on the rheological blood properties. The use of lasix and mannitol+ did not produce any positive clinical effect. At the same time lasix was noted to exert an untoward effect on the rheological blood properties. The conclusion is made that combination of dexamethasone and glycerol is advisable in the treatment of brain edema in patients with grave cerebral stroke.