[Haemodynamic effects during hypotension with sodium nitroprusside neurosurgery (author's transl)]

Haemodynamic effects during hypotension with sodium nitroprusside in the surgery of cerebral aneurysms were studied in 16 patients. Sodium Nitroprusside caused arterial hypotension by a direct vascular musculotropic effect and it was found to reduce peripheral vasculare resistance, and to lower the bloodpressure in the right atrium and pulmonary arteries. Stroke volume decreased in the presence of tachycardia while there was no change in cardiac output. Its evanescent action and easy regulation make sodium nitroprusside suitable for controlled hypotension during cerebral surgery, especially since there are no negative haemodynamic effects.