Vasodilator correction of hypotension in the postoperative period

This case is unusual in that hypotension, as opposed to hypertension, was a consequence of increased sympathetic tone in the postoperative period, but it illustrates the well known fact that patients in compensated congestive heart failure do poorly when faced with an elevated myocardial oxygen need from either increased rate or afterload. Vasodilator therapy was effective in immediately reducing afterload and systolic regurgitant fraction, thereby increasing oxygen supply and lowering myocardial oxygen consumption.