Evaluation of domperidone efficacy to prevent aspiration pneumonia in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Acta neurologica Belgica 2022-10, Vol.122 (5), p.1337-1342
• Main Authors: Allami, Abbas, Kianimajd, Somaieh, Mavandadi, Shirin, Paybast, Sepideh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Evidence- and experienced-based Neurology article; Medicine/Public Health; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences
• ISSN: 0300-9009; 2240-2993
• DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-01925-0

Background and aim Aspiration pneumonia is an essential complication of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is responsible for increased three-fold mortality within a month. There is an interest towards the effect of prokinetics on prevention of stroke-associated pneumonia. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of domperidone to prevent pneumonia in patients with AIS. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 150 patients with AIS were assigned to receive either domperidone 10 mg daily or placebo during hospitalization. The clinical outcomes including of aspiration pneumonia occurrence, gastrointestinal discomfort, the need for intensive care unit admission, the length of hospitalization, final mRs, and mortality were then evaluated in both groups. Results 150 [Mean age 67.5 ± 13.5 years, 90 men and 60 women] were randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics. The domperidone group experienced significantly less dysphagia, nausea and vomiting, and aspiration pneumonia ( P