Sodium Nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used in hypertensive emergencies by rapidly relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Structure of Sodium Nitroprusside
- It is a coordination complex containing a central iron atom bonded to five cyanide ligands and two nitrosyl groups.
- Chemical Formula: Na₂[Fe(CN)₅NO]
Mode of Action
- Nitric Oxide Release: It releases nitric oxide (NO) upon metabolism.
- Vasodilation: NO activates guanylate cyclase, increasing cyclic GMP levels and causing smooth muscle relaxation.
- Rapid Action: Provides immediate vasodilation, reducing both preload and afterload.
Advertisements
Uses
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Rapidly lowers blood pressure in acute hypertensive crises.
- Controlled Hypotension: Induced during surgical procedures to reduce bleeding.
- Heart Failure: Manages acute decompensated heart failure by reducing vascular resistance.
- Aortic Dissection: Lowers blood pressure and reduces shear stress on the aortic wall.
Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!
