Haemodynamic effects of nicardipine hydrochloride. Studies during its use to control acute hypertension in anaesthetized patients

Fourteen patients with vascular disease were studied to evaluate the efficacy of nicardipine hydrochloride as a hypotensive agent in the treatment of acute hypertension occurring during anaesthesia. Five patients received a bolus injection of nicardipine hydrochloride 0.5 mg. Another nine patients received bolus injections of nicardipine 1 and 2 mg. Nicardipine 0.5 mg significantly decreased systemic arterial pressure (by about 24%), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) and rate-pressure product (RPP). Nicardipine 1 or 2 mg had twice the effect in decreasing arterial pressure as did 0.5 mg, without significant change in heart rate or right and left ventricular filling pressures. Cardiac index and stroke volume index increased and SVR, pulmonary vascular resistance, LVSWI and RPP decreased significantly.