A comparison of prostacyclin and sodium nitroprusside for the treatment of heart failure after cardiac surgery. 1995

N Kieler-Jensen, and E Houltz, and S E Ricksten
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of the two vasodilators, prostacyclin and sodium nitroprusside, on central hemodynamics in heart failure after cardiac surgery. METHODS Randomized cross-over study. METHODS Multi-institutional university hospital. METHODS Ten patients. METHODS cardiac index less than 2.5 L/min/m2; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure greater than 15 mmHg, systemic vascular resistance index greater than 2,500 dynes.s.cm-5/m2, and treatment with inotropic support. Five patients were treated with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. METHODS After control measurements, mean arterial pressure was decreased by 10% to 20% with each vasodilator in each patient. RESULTS Sodium nitroprusside induced decreases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (-21%), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-29%), central venous pressure (-17%), and systemic vascular resistance (-25%), and increases in cardiac output (+7%) and stroke volume (+6%) compared with control. Prostacyclin decreased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (-14%), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-19%), central venous pressure (-7%), and systemic (-40%) and pulmonary (-25%) vascular resistances, whereas cardiac output (+25%) and stroke volume (+22%) increased compared with control. Prostacyclin, compared with sodium nitroprusside, induced a more pronounced increase in cardiac output and stroke volume, associated with less pronounced decreases in cardiac filling pressures and more profound decreases in systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances. CONCLUSIONS Prostacyclin appears to be a useful agent, superior to sodium nitroprusside, in the treatment of postoperative heart failure in patients with normal or mildly elevated cardiac filling pressures, where vasodilator treatment is indicated.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007423 Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping Counterpulsation in which a pumping unit synchronized with the patient's electrocardiogram rapidly fills a balloon in the aorta with helium or carbon dioxide in early diastole and evacuates the balloon at the onset of systole. As the balloon inflates, it raises aortic diastolic pressure, and as it deflates, it lowers aortic systolic pressure. The result is a decrease in left ventricular work and increased myocardial and peripheral perfusion. Pumping, Intra-Aortic Balloon,Intraaortic Balloon Pumping,Balloon Pumping, Intra-Aortic,Balloon Pumping, Intraaortic,Intra Aortic Balloon Pumping,Pumping, Intra Aortic Balloon,Pumping, Intraaortic Balloon
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009599 Nitroprusside A powerful vasodilator used in emergencies to lower blood pressure or to improve cardiac function. It is also an indicator for free sulfhydryl groups in proteins. Nitroferricyanide,Sodium Nitroprusside,Cyanonitrosylferrate,Ketostix,Naniprus,Nipride,Nipruton,Nitriate,Nitropress,Nitroprussiat Fides,Nitroprusside, Disodium Salt,Nitroprusside, Disodium Salt, Dihydrate,Disodium Salt Nitroprusside,Nitroprusside, Sodium
D011464 Epoprostenol A prostaglandin that is a powerful vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is biosynthesized enzymatically from PROSTAGLANDIN ENDOPEROXIDES in human vascular tissue. The sodium salt has been also used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension (HYPERTENSION, PULMONARY). Prostacyclin,Prostaglandin I2,Epoprostanol,Epoprostenol Sodium,Epoprostenol Sodium Salt, (5Z,9alpha,11alpha,13E,15S)-Isomer,Flolan,Prostaglandin I(2),Veletri
D011651 Pulmonary Artery The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs. Arteries, Pulmonary,Artery, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Arteries
D011669 Pulmonary Wedge Pressure The blood pressure as recorded after wedging a CATHETER in a small PULMONARY ARTERY; believed to reflect the PRESSURE in the pulmonary CAPILLARIES. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure,Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure,Pulmonary Venous Wedge Pressure,Wedge Pressure,Pressure, Pulmonary Wedge,Pressures, Pulmonary Wedge,Pulmonary Wedge Pressures,Wedge Pressure, Pulmonary,Wedge Pressures, Pulmonary,Pressure, Wedge,Pressures, Wedge,Wedge Pressures
D001794 Blood Pressure PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS. Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002303 Cardiac Output, Low A state of subnormal or depressed cardiac output at rest or during stress. It is a characteristic of CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, including congenital, valvular, rheumatic, hypertensive, coronary, and cardiomyopathic. The serious form of low cardiac output is characterized by marked reduction in STROKE VOLUME, and systemic vasoconstriction resulting in cold, pale, and sometimes cyanotic extremities. Low Cardiac Output,Low Cardiac Output Syndrome,Output, Low Cardiac
D002316 Cardiotonic Agents Agents that have a strengthening effect on the heart or that can increase cardiac output. They may be CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES; SYMPATHOMIMETICS; or other drugs. They are used after MYOCARDIAL INFARCT; CARDIAC SURGICAL PROCEDURES; in SHOCK; or in congestive heart failure (HEART FAILURE). Cardiac Stimulant,Cardiac Stimulants,Cardioprotective Agent,Cardioprotective Agents,Cardiotonic,Cardiotonic Agent,Cardiotonic Drug,Inotropic Agents, Positive Cardiac,Myocardial Stimulant,Myocardial Stimulants,Cardiotonic Drugs,Cardiotonics,Agent, Cardioprotective,Agent, Cardiotonic,Drug, Cardiotonic,Stimulant, Cardiac,Stimulant, Myocardial

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