Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
[Intravenous nicardipine: a new calcium antagonist for perioperative use]
L E Muñoz Alameda1, M Barcina Sánchez
1Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040 Madrid. luismalameda@teleline.es
Abstract:
Nicardipine is a calcium antagonist belonging to the dihydropyridine group of molecules. An intravenous formulation has recently become available, offering certain advantages over other drugs in this group, given that it lacks their negative inotropic effects and its vasodilator effect favors coronary and cerebral artery beds. Nicardipine lowers arterial pressure in proportion to plasma levels by means of a reduction in systemic vascular resistance produced by relaxation of arteriolar smooth muscle. It has been suggested that nicardipine has a protective effect on the myocardium.
Related Concept Videos
Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
One of the advantages of...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

