Korean J Anesthesiol.  1980 Dec;13(4):366-370.

The Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside on Mean Arterial Pressure and Heart Rate in Anesthetized Patients

• Lee MA
• Joo KR
• Kim HK
• Kim BD
• Ahn CK

Abstract

The time course and magnitude of change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) following a single rapid intravenous injection of 1ug/kg and 2ug/kg of sodium nitro prusside(SNP) were determined in 10 anesthetized patients. The results were as follows: 1) MAP began to decrease 15 seconds after both 1ug/kg and 2ug/kg of SNP and was maximal after 90 seconds with return toward control apparent by 3 minutes and complete after 5 to 6 minutes(Fig. 1). 2) The magnitude of decrease in MAP after SNP was dose related whereas onset and duration of blood pressure changes were not influenced by the SNP dose. 3) HR did not change significantly after either dose of SNP. SNP is a potent, rapid acting antihypertensive drug which produces arteriolar vasodilation and prevention of hypertension and is particularly important in patients with decreased myocardial reserve or intracranial pathology.

MeSH Terms

Arterial Pressure*
Blood Pressure
Heart Rate*
Heart*
Humans
Hypertension
Injections, Intravenous
Nitroprusside*
Pathology
Sodium*
Vasodilation
Nitroprusside
Sodium