What does sodium nitroprusside do?
Consequently, what is the use of sodium nitroprusside?
USES: This medication is used for the immediate control of very high blood pressure. Nitroprusside is also used to treat certain heart problems (congestive heart failure) or to control bleeding during surgery. HOW TO USE: This medication is diluted in liquid and given continuously into a vein (IV infusion).
Beside this, how does sodium nitroprusside decreased blood pressure?
Like all other drugs in that class, sodium nitroprusside works by relaxing blood vessels. Once in the body, sodium nitroprusside is quickly broken down into nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator. As the blood vessels expand, blood pressure drops.
Globally, the net hemodynamic effect of nitroprusside is to cause arterial and venous dilatation, reduce afterload, decrease ventricular filling pressures, lower the systemic blood pressure, and increase cardiac output, without significant lowering of the heart rate.