REDUCTION OF PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION BY NITROPRUSSIDE

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (2) , 75-80
Abstract
The action of nitroprusside on pulmonary circulation was studied in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to mitral stenosis (group I) or to primary lung disease (group II) and in patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure (group III). Nitroprusside 20 .mu.g/min decreased systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure in groups I and II while higher doses were necessary to produce a similar pressure reduction in group III. Diastolic pulmonary artery pressure was reduced by 40 .mu.g/min nitroprusside in all groups. Systemic arterial pressure declined during nitroprusside infusion similarly in all groups in a dose-related manner; cardiac index remained unaltered. Pulmonary vascular resistance was reduced by 20 .mu.g/min nitroprusside in group I, not below 200 .mu.g/min nitroprusside in group II and remained unchanged in group III. Peripheral vascular resistance declined in all groups with nitroprusside infusion. Direct relaxation of the pulmonary vasculature by nitroprusside probably occurred.

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