[Antihypertensive therapy with diazoxide during anaesthesia (author's transl)]

The haemodynamic effects of antihypertensive therapy with diazoxide were studied during anaesthesia in 14 patients. Mean arterial pressure decreased after diazoxide from 135 -/+ 14 mm Hg to 98 -/+ 9 mm Hg (p < 0.01) and did not increase within 30 minutes of observation. Cardiac-index increased 23% (p < 0.01) and the heart rate 14%. These parameters reached control values after 30 min of observation. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure showed no significant variations. The results confirm that diazoxide is an effective antihypertensive drug. the authors conclude that the use of diazoxide is indicated in the perioperative period, when the patient is not under close and invasive observation.