Changes in nerve function and endothelin level in patients with cerebral infarction after treatment with a combination of urinary kallidinogenase and edaravone

Purpose: To investigate changes in neurological function and endothelin (ET) levels in cerebral infarction patients treated with combination of urinary kallidinogenase and edaravone. Methods: Two groups of acute cerebral infarction patients on admission in our hospital from May 2017 to July 2019 were enrolled in this study. The control group (44 patients) received edaravone, while the study group (44 patients) was given urinary kallidinogenase combined with edaravone. Hemorheological indices, NIHSS scores, cerebral edema area, and ET levels, as well as the clinical effects of the treatments were compared. Incidence of major cerebrovascular adverse events during the 26-month follow-up period after treatment was recorded. Results: Compared with the control group, the study group exhibited increase in shear whole blood viscosity, high shear whole blood viscosity and fibrinogen levels after the treatment (p < 0.05); however, lower NIHSS score, ET level and brain edema area were observed in the study group (p < 0.05). Total treatment effectiveness in the study and control groups was 95.45 and 79.55 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Fewer adverse cerebrovascular events were observed in patients in the study group (11.36 vs 29.55 %, p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis revealed a mean event-free period of 16.12 months for the study group and 12.41 months for the control group (chi(2) = 14.868, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Urinary kallidinogenase combined with edaravone treatment yields a favorable effect in optimizing the hemorheological indices of cerebral infarction patients, reducing the degree of neurological deficits, and elevating ET levels.