Nitroprusside: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:17, 21 February 2017

Sodium nitroprusside is primarily used as a potent vasodilator.
Works predominantly in arterioles and venules as a result of its breakdown to nitric oxide (NO).^[1]
Nitric oxide reduces both total peripheral resistance and venous return, thus decreasing both preload and afterload
Thiocyanate level when checking for toxicity

Potent arteriolar dilation from its active metabolite, nitric oxide (NO).

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 ==Background==
-Sodium nitroprusside is primarily used as a potent vasodilator.  It works predominantly in arterioles and venules as a result of its breakdown to nitric oxide (NO).<ref>"nitroprusside sodium (Rx) - Nipride, Nitropress, more..". Medscape Reference. WebMD. Retrieved 20 November 2013.</ref>  It is intravenously infused in cases of acute hypertensive crises and its effect is usually seen within minutes.  Nitric oxide reduces both total peripheral resistance and venous return, thus decreasing both preload and afterload.
+*Sodium nitroprusside is primarily used as a potent vasodilator.
+*Works predominantly in arterioles and venules as a result of its breakdown to nitric oxide (NO).<ref>"nitroprusside sodium (Rx) - Nipride, Nitropress, more..". Medscape Reference. WebMD. Retrieved 20 November 2013.</ref>
+*Nitric oxide reduces both total peripheral resistance and venous return, thus decreasing both preload and afterload
+*Thiocyanate level when checking for toxicity
 ==Adult Dosing==