Abstract
Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) is an excellent and powerful hypotensive agent.Because of rapid onset, short duration and quick recovery, the agent is useful and controls well blood pressure in induced hypotension. Following administration of SNP, rapid decrease of blood pressure and increase of pulse rate are seen. SNP also increases coronary blood flow and improves the left ventricular function. At present, this drug is used clinically for the treatment of malignant hypertension, myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure. Although SNP is thought to be stable chemically, when administered into organism, SNP is reduced instantly by the reductants of hydrogen donor type and cyanide is released. There is also a dangerous possibility that it will produce methemoglobin and reduce hemoglobin as an oxygen-carrying factor during SNP administration. We should use SNP carefully and monitor to detect signs of anoxia due to cyanide intoxication, that is, developing metabolic acidosis, increase of oxygen contents of mixed venous blood decrease of A-VDO2, and increase of excess lactate in blood, If possible, the cyanide level in blood should be measured, and when cyanide intoxication occures, infusion of SNP should be stopped immediately and treatment for poisoning must be begun.
