Introduction  

Aim of this randomized prospective clinical trial is to compare two methods of antipyretics and evaluate their efficacy in controlling fever during the acute phase of brain damage.

Methods  

Twenty-two febrile comatose patients: 12 severe traumatic brain injury and 10 subarachnoid hemorrhage divided in 2 groups: Diclofenac low-dose infusion (10 patients) and extemporaneous boluses of NSAIDs (CTRL, 12 patients). The primary outcome measure was length of time with temperature >38°C. Secondary outcome measures were: 1) to assess the effects of each antipyretic strategy on intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate; 2) to monitor adverse effects of each antipyretic strategy. The baseline characteristics in the two treatment groups were similar.

Results  

Primary findings: percentage of time per patient with temperature >38°C was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in the DCF group, 4% (0–22%), vs. 34% (8–56%) in CTRL group. In addition, mean T°, max T° were lower in DCF than in CTRL (P < 0.05). Secondary findings: CPP and MAP were significantly higher in DCF group (P < 0.05) while ICP was not different (NS). However, if ICP pre randomization was < 25 mmHg, CTRL suffered a worst ICP (24 ± 11 vs. 16 ± 7 P = 0.01), MAP (89 ± 10 vs. 104 ± 10 P = 0.01) and CPP (75 ± 10 vs. 94 ± 17 P = 0.01) compared to DCF. No differences between the two treatment were recorded when ICP ≥ 25 mmHg before randomization. There was no gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding.

Conclusions  

Low dose DCF infusion is a potential useful strategy for a successful control temperature better than intermittent NSAIDs dosing, minimizing potentially brain-damaging effects of fever.