We examined the effect of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine on postischemic hypoperfusion in the newborn piglet brain. A severe pneumothorax (SP) was induced by injecting air into the right thorax until the mean arterial blood pressure fell to 25% of baseline and was maintained for 4 min. Blood flow was immediately reduced 70-90% from baseline in each brain region during SP. In untreated animals postischemic hypoperfusion existed at 60 min, following recovery from SP with regional brain blood flow reduced 20-30% from baseline. Nimodipine infusion after SP prevented postischemic hypoperfusion in all brain regions and increased blood flows by as much as 40% above baseline in midbrain and brainstem structures. Nimodipine infusion began after severe brain ischemia prevented postischemic hypoperfusion and enhanced brain blood flow in this model.