What is the drug of choice for a hypertensive crisis?
The traditional drug of choice for therapy of hypertensive emergencies is sodium nitroprusside. Intravenous labetalol produces a prompt, controlled reduction in blood pressure and is a promising alternative. Other agents used are diazoxide, trimethaphan camsylate, hydralazine, nitroglycerin, and phentolamine.
Which medication is the recommended first line treatment for hypertensive crisis?
The drugs of choice in treating patients with a hypertensive crisis and eclampsia or pre-eclampsia are hydralazine, labetalol, and nicardipine (5,6).
What is the agent of choice for a patient presenting in a hypertensive emergency and acute coronary syndrome?
Nitroglycerin: This agent is commonly used as an adjunctive agent in patients with hypertensive emergency with acute coronary syndrome or acute pulmonary edema. The onset of action is immediate, and the duration of action 3 to 5 minutes.
Is nicardipine and nifedipine same?
Nicardipine is a second-generation dihydroperidine calcium antagonist that unlike nifedipine causes little, if any, increase in heart rate. Nicardipine produces slower, and more prolonged decrease in BP than nifedipine, and therefore appears to be better tolerated.
Does nicardipine need a central line?
Administer Cardene I.V. by a central line or through a large peripheral vein. Change the infusion site every 12 hours if administered via peripheral vein [see Intravenous Infusion Site (5.6)].
What is the difference between hypertensive crisis and hypertensive emergency?
Especially severe cases of hypertension, or hypertensive crises, are defined as a BP of more than 180/120 mm Hg and may be further categorized as hypertensive emergencies or urgencies.
Why is tonicity important for IV fluids?
Having a good understanding of tonicity gives a good insight into how dehydration can affect the cells of the body. An isotonic solution is best because the osmotic pressure within and outside the cell is equal, so there is no net movement of water and the cells will retain their shape and function.
What is the difference between sodium nitroprusside and nicardipine?
Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were similar in both groups. The cardiac index was greater with nicardipine while mean pulmonary artery pressure was lower with sodium nitroprusside.
What is the initial infusion rate for nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside?
The initial infusion rate of intravenous nitroglycerin is 5 mcg/min. The maximum infusion rate is 20 mcg/min. The initial infusion rate of intravenous sodium nitroprusside is 0.3 to 0.5 mcg/kg/min. The maximum infusion rate is 10 mcg/kg/min. The initial infusion rate of intravenous clevidipine is 1–2 mg/h.
What is the difference between nitroprusside and nitroglycerin?
It produces more balanced arterial and venous dilation compared to nitroglycerin (which is more of a venodilator particularly at low doses). In contrast to nitroglycerin, nitroprusside does not depend on intracellular metabolism for conversion to NO, and can therefore deliver abundant NO to the coronary microcirculation.
Is sodium nitroprusside or nicardipine better for reducing postoperative afterload?
The cardiac index was greater with nicardipine while mean pulmonary artery pressure was lower with sodium nitroprusside. Conclusion: Nicardipine and sodium nitroprusside have similar abilities in reducing afterload in the postoperative cardiac population.