Anesthesia Pharmacology Chapter 8:  Pharmacology for Hypertension Management

• Chlorothiazide (Diuril)

  • The thiazides act in the distal tubule to decrease sodium reabsorption (inhibits Na/Cl transporter).

    • As a result of decreased sodium and chloride reabsorption, a hyperosmolar diuresis ensues.

    • Delivery of more sodium to the distal tubule results in potassium loss by an exchange mechanism.

  • Thiazides also promote calcium reabsorption, in contrast to loop diuretics.

  • The initial decrease in blood volume followed by a longer-termed reduction in vascular resistance appear to account for the hypotensive effects of the thiazides.

  •  Adverse Effects

    • Potassium depletion is a potentially serious side-effect that may require potassium supplementation and/or concurrent use of potassium-sparing diuretics.

    •  Hyperuricemia may occur precipitating gout. 

      • The increase in systemic uric acid is due to a decrease in the effectiveness of the organic acid secretory system.

    •  Diabetic patient may have difficulty in maintaining proper blood sugar levels.

•   Furosemide (Lasix), Bumetanide (Bumex),Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)

  • Furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), and ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) are "high-ceiling" loop diuretics acting primarily at the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.

    • The effectiveness of these agents is related to their site of action because reabsorption of about 30 - 40% of the filtered sodium and chloride load occurs at the ascending loop.

    • Distal sites are not able to compensate completely for this magnitude of reduction of NaCl reabsorption.

  • Loop diuretics increase urinary Ca²⁺ in contrast to the action of thiazides.

  • Loop diuretics also increase renal blood flow by decreasing renal vascular resistance.

  • These drugs are rarely used in the management of hypertension because of their short duration of action and the availability of better drugs. 

  • Adverse Effects

    • Ototoxicity

    • Furosemide (Lasix) and ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) block renal excretion of uric acid by competition with renal secretory and biliary secretory systems.Therefore these agents can precipitate gout.

    • Potassium depletion.

• Clonidine (Catapres) (Sympatholytic)

  • Antihypertensive:

    • Clonidine (Catapres) acts in the brain, inhibiting adrenergic outflow from the brainstem. Inhibition of sympathetic outflow results in a decrease in blood pressure.

    • Mechanism of action: centrally acting selective a₂ adrenergic agonist.

    • Especially effective in

      • management of severe hypertension or

      • in renin-dependent hypertension

    • Transdermal clonidine (Catapres) patch: useful for surgical patients unable to take oral formulation

    • Clonidine (Catapres) reduces cardiac output (by reducing both stroke volume and heart rate) and peripheral resistance.

    • Reduction in stoke volume occurs due to increased venous pooling (decreased preload).

    • Clonidine (Catapres) does not interfere with cardiovascular responses to exercise.

    • Renal blood flow and function is maintained during clonidine treatment.

    • Clonidine (Catapres) has minimal or no effect on plasma lipids.

  • Other Clinical Uses

  • Analgesia--

    • Preservative-free clonidine administered into epidural/subarachnoid space (150-450 micrograms)-- dose-dependent analgesia

    • No respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, delayed gastric emptying or pruritus -- effects associated with opioids

      • Probable Mechanism: activation postsynaptic a₂ receptors in the spinal cord substantia gelatinosa

        •  Clonidine (Catapres) and morphine: no cross-tolerance when used concurrently in neuraxial analgesia

    • Side effects of neuraxial clonidine (Catapres)

      •   hypotension, sedation, dry mouth

  • Preanesthetic Medication:

    • Oral clonidine (Catapres) (preanesthetic medication):

      • Enhances intrathecal morphine + tetracaine (pontocaine) for postoperative analgesia (no increase in morphine-related side effects)

      • Preanesthetic clonidine (Catapres) also:

        • Reduces reflex tachycardia that may be caused by direct laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation

        • Reduces intraoperative blood-pressure heart rate lability

        • Reduces plasma catecholamines levels

        • Significantly decreases anesthetic requirements for inhaled (MAC) and injected agents.

  • Adverse Effects

    • Dry Mouth (xerostomia)

    • bradycardia (in patients with SA nodal abnormality)

    • Withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation (increased blood pressure, headache, tachycardia, apprehension, tremors

Stoelting, R.K., "Antihypertensive Drugs", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, 302-312.

• Methyldopa (Aldomet) (Sympatholytic)

  • Methyldopa (Aldomet) is a prodrug which is metabolized to the active agent, alpha-methylnorepinephrine.

    • Alpha-methylnorepinephrine acts in the brain, inhibiting adrenergic outflow from the brainstem. Inhibition of sympathetic outflow results in a decrease in blood pressure.

  • Methyldopa (Aldomet) produces no change in cardiac output in younger patients, but in older patients a decline in cardiac output results from reduced heart rate and stroke volume.

    • The reduction in stroke volume occurs due to increased venous pooling (decreased preload).

  • Since renal blood flow and function is maintained during methyldopa treatment, methyldopa maybe valuable in managing hypertensive patients with renal insufficiency.

  • Adverse Effects

    • Dry Mouth

    • Parkinsonian signs

    • Reduced libido

    • Hyperprolactinemia (gynecomastia, galactorrhea)

    • Bradycardia (in patients with SA nodal abnormality)

    • Hepatoxicity (avoid in patients with hepatic disease)

    • Positive Coombs' test (20%)

      • 1-5% of those with positive Coombs' develop hemolytic anemia (requiring immediate discontinuation of the drug)

• Guanethidine (Ismelin)and Guanadrel (Hylorel) 

  • Guanethidine (Ismelin) inhibits the function of postganglionic adrenergic neurons, thus inhibiting sympathetic function.

  • Guanethidine (Ismelin) uses the norepinephrine (N.E.) re-uptake transporter to reach its site of action, the neurosecretory vesicles.

    • Guanethidine (Ismelin) replaces norepinphrine in the vesicle and is released instead of the normal transmitter.

    • Guanethidine (Ismelin) is an inactive transmitter and the replacement of N.E. by an inactive agent is responsible for its antihypertensive effects (maintenance dosing).

  • Adrenergic blockade by guanethidine (Ismelin) results in post-synaptic supersensitivity.

  • Sympathetic blockade by guanethidine (Ismelin) produces:

    •  venodilatation

    •  reduction in cardiac output due to inhibition of cardiac sympathetic innervation

    •  blockade of  the sympathetic reflex arteriolar response to the reduction in cardiac output.

  •  Adverse Effects

    • Symptomatic hypotension (due to sympathetic reflex blockade)

    • Sexual dysfunction (delayed ejaculation)

    • Diarrhea

    • Guanethidine (Ismelin) effects blocked by N.E. reuptake blockers (tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamine, chlorpromazine (Thorazine))

• Reserpine (Adrenergic Neuron Blocker) 

  • Reserpine inhibits the function of postganglionic adrenergic neurons, thus inhibiting sympathetic function.

  • Reserpine binds to noradrenergic storage vesicles in central and peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals.

    • Storage vesicles become nonfunctional as a result of interacting with reserpine and lose the ability to store and concentrate norepinephrine (N.E.) and dopamine.

    • N.E. and dopamine leaking from vesicles are enzymatically destroyed in the cytoplasm and as a consequence little transmitter is released upon nerve ending depolarization.

  • Depletion of transmitter in both the central and peripheral nervous system suggest that both sites by be important mediators of the antihypertensive response.

  • Chronic adrenergic neuronal blockade by reserpine results in a reduction of cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance.

  • Adverse Effect

    • CNS effects predominate, including sedation, inability to concentrate, and depression.

• Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) 

  • Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) is a competitive antagonist at both a₁ and ß₁-adrenergic receptors. It also has an intrinsic sympathomimetic effect at ß₂ receptors

  • Antihypertensive effects of labetalol results from actions at both alpha₁ and beta-adrenergic receptors.

    •  alpha₁ receptor blockade results in vasodilatation which is further enhanced by ß₂ receptor activation.

    •  A reduction in heart rate is mediated by beta₁ receptor antagonism.

  • Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) does not alter serum lipids.

  •  Adverse Effects

    • Orthostatic hypotension may occur due to alpha₁ receptor blockade.

    • Liver injury has been reported with labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) usage.

    • Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) metabolites: false positive for pheochromocytoma

    • Paresthesias (scalp tingling)

    • Bronchospasm -- incidence similar to that observed with metoprolol (Lopressor) or atenolol (Tenormin)

    • urinary retention

Stoelting, R.K., "Antihypertensive Drugs", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, 302-312.

• Prazosin (Minipress) (alpha1-Arenoceptor Antagonis); Terazosin (Hytrin) (alpha1-Adrenoceptor Antagonist)

  • Prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), and doxazosin (Cardura) reduce arteriolar resistance and increase venous capacitance as a consequence of alpha₁ adrenergic receptor blockade.

    • Normal inhibition of norepinephrine-mediate inhibition through alpha₂ receptors remain-- prazosin (Minipress) is a selective postsynaptic alpha₁ adrenergic receptor blocker

    • The short-term increase in heart rate and plasma renin levels do not persist although the vasodilation continues.

    • Prazosin (Minipress) monotherapy --less effective than thiazide diuretics

    • Prazosin (Minipress) in combination with other agents: quite effective in young patients with moderately severe hypertension

    • Good patient compliance

  • Cardiovascular Effects: --

    • Prazosin (Minipress) reduces systemic vascular resistance without:

      • causing reflex-mediated tachycardia

      • causing increases in plasma renin (as seen with minoxidil/hydralazine)

        • absence of changes in plasma renin reflect continued alpha₂ receptor function which normally inhibits renin release (recall that prazosin is an alpha₁ selective antagonist)

    • Prazosin (Minipress) -- greater affinity for venular alpha receptors compared to arteriolar alpha receptors; resultant hemodynamics effect (orthostatic hypotension) --an action more similar to nitroglycerin than hydralazine (Apresoline).

  • Renal blood flow is maintained.

  • Retention of salt and water occurs.

  • Alpha₁-adrenergic receptor blockers reduce plasma triglycerides, total and LDL-cholesterol, and increase HDL-cholesterol.

  • Other Therapeutic Uses:

    • Congestive heart failure: valuable for reducing afterload

    • Preoperative preparation of patients with pheochromocytoma

    • Treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy in older males (drug decreases prostate size)

  • Adverse Effect

    • Inital-dose marked orthostatic hypotension is seen in about 50% of cases-- (sudden syncope; dosage dependence)

    • Fluid retention, vertigo

    • dry mouth, urinary frequency, lethargy, sexual dysfunction, nasal congestion, nightmares

  • Anesthetic Implications:

    • Prazosin (Minipress)-induced alpha₁ blockade may cause exaggerated hypotension during epidural anesthesia (alpha receptor--blockade prevents compensatory vasoconstriction)

      • Prazosin (Minipress)-exacerbated hypotension may not be responsive to typical alpha₁ adrenergic agonists (e.g. phenylephrine) dosage; epinephrine may be required to increase systemic vascular resistance and BP in this setting

      •  The combination of prazosin (Minipress) and a beta-blocker could result in nearly refractory hypotension during regional anesthesia (diminished response to both b and alpha₁ agonists)

  Stoelting, R.K., "Antihypertensive Drugs", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, 302-312.

• Diazoxide (Hyperstat),  Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride)

  • Vasodilators used for acute management of hypertensive crisis or malignant hypertension include sodium nitroprusside and diazoxide.

  • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) is the agent of choice.

    • Administered by a continuously variable rate i.v. infusion pump, precise blood pressure control can be obtained.

    • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride), a nitrovasodilator, is metabolized by smooth muscle cells to nitric oxide which dilates both arterioles and venules.

  •  Side effects are mainly due to excessive vasodilation.

    • Much less commonly, toxicity may result from conversion of nitroprusside to cyanide and thiocyanate.

    • Risk of toxicity due to thiocyanate increases after 24 to 48 hours.

    • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) can worsen arterial hypoxemia in patients with obstructive pulmonary airway disease since nitroprusside will interfere with hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. A result is increasing ventilation-perfusion mismatching.

  • Diazoxide (Hyperstat) is infrequently used unless accurate infusion pumps are unavailable.

    • The mechanism of action involves activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, hyperpolarization of arteriolar smooth muscle, relaxation and dilation.

    • Adverse effects include salt and water retention and hyperglycemia. Diazoxide inhibits insulin release.

• Hydralazine (Apresoline) Minoxidil (Loniten) 

  • Vasodilators used for chronic treatment include hydralazine (Apresoline) and minoxidil (Loniten).

    • These drugs are not typically administered as monotherapy due to significant reflex-mediated cardiac stimulation and water retention. Instead they may be combined with sympatholytic drugs.

  • Adverse effects include those induced by vasodilation such as:

    • hypotension

    • palpitation

    • tachycardia

    • fluid retention

    • headache

    • angina

  • A drug-induced lupus syndrome is associated with hydralazine (Apresoline).

  • A drug-induced hypertrichosis is associated with minoxidil (Loniten).

• Amlodipine (Norvasc)   Felodipine (Plendil) 

  • Calcium channel blockers are effective in treating hypertension because they reduce peripheral resistance.

  • Amlodipine (Norvasc) and Felodipine (Plendil) have relatively little effects on reducing myocardial contractility compared to verapamil (Isoptin, Calan) or diltiazem (Cardiazem).

  • Arteriolar vascular tone depends on free intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.

    • Calcium channel blockers reduce transmembrane movement of Ca²⁺

    • reduce the amount reaching intracellular sites

    • and therefore reduce vascular smooth muscle tone.

  • All calcium channel blocks appear similarly effective for management of mild to moderate hypertension.

  • For low-renin hypertensive patients (elderly and African-American groups), Ca²⁺ channel blockers appear good choices for monotherapy (single drug) control.

  • Adverse Effects

    •  SA nodal inhibition may lead to bradycardia or SA nodal arrest.

    • This effect is more prominent if beta adrenergic antagonists are concurrently administered.

    • GI reflux.

    •  Negative inotropic are augmented if beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists are concurrently administered.

    •  Calcium channel blockers should not be administered if the patient has SA or AV nodal abnormalities or in patients with significant congestive heart failure.

• Nimodipine (Nimotop)

  • Overview

    • Highly lipid-soluble nefedipine analog

    • Ready access to the CNS -- reduces large cerebral arterial contraction

  • Clinical Use:

    • Cerebral Vasospasm:

      • Useful in preventing/reducing cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage

      • Vasospasm -- mediated by calcium ion influx

      • Nimodipine (Nimotop) administered over a three week course (oral administration) results and decreased frequency of neurologic defects secondary to cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

        • For comatose patients: deliver through nasogastric tube

      •  Side effects/Concerns:

        • systemic hypotension (with excess nimodipine (Nimotop) effect)

        • possible increase in intracranial pressure -- especially in patients with decreased intracranial compliance

  Stoelting, R.K., "Calcium Channel Blockers", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, p. 350.

• Diltiazem (Calcium Channel Blocker) 

  • Calcium channel blockers are effective in treating hypertension because they reduce peripheral resistance.

  • Arteriolar vascular tone depends on free intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.

    • Calcium channel blockers reduce transmembrane movement of Ca²⁺ , reduce the amount reaching intracellular sites and therefore reduce vascular smooth muscle tone.

  • All calcium channel blocks appear similarly effective for management of mild to moderate hypertension

    • .For low-renin hypertensive patients (elderly and African-American groups), Ca²⁺ channel blockers appear good choices for monotherapy (single drug) control.

  • Diltiazem has a direct negative chronotropic effect on the heart sufficient to block reflex-mediated tachycardia secondary to the decrease in peripheral resistance.

  • The reflex-mediated adrenergic stimulation tends to counteract negative inotropic properties of diltiazem.

  •  Adverse Effects

    •  SA nodal inhibition may lead to bradycardia or SA nodal arrest.

      • This effect is more prominent if beta adrenergic antagonists are concurrently administered.

    • GI reflux.

    • Negative inotropic are augmented if beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists are concurrently administered.

    • Calcium channel blockers should not be administered if the patient has SA or AV nodal abnormalities or in patients with significant congestive heart failure.

• Captopril and other Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

  • Pharmacological Properties

    • Angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, is produced by the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) on the substrate angiotensin I. Angiotensin II activity produces

      • a rapid pressor response

      • a slow pressor response and

      • vascular and cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling.

    • Antihypertensive effects of ACE inhibitors are due to the reduction in the amount of angiotensin II produced.

    • ACE inhibitors are efficacious in management of hypertension and have a favorable side effect profile.

    • ACE inhibitor are advantageous in management of diabetic patients by reducing the development of diabetic neuropathy and glomerulosclerosis.

    • ACE inhibitor are probably the antihypertensive drug of choice in treatment of hypertensive patient who have hypertrophic left ventricles.

      • Hypertensive patients who have ischemic heart disease with impaired left ventricular function also benefit from ACE inhibitor treatment.

    • ACE inhibitors reduce the normal aldosterone response to sodium loss (normally aldosterone opposes diuretic-induced sodium loss).

      • Therefore, the use of ACE inhibitors enhance the efficacy of diuretic treatment, allowing the use of lower diuretic dosages and improving control of hypertension.

    •  If diuretics are administered at higher dosages in combination with ACE inhibitors significant and undesirable hypotensive reactions can occur with attendant excessive sodium loss.

    •  Reduction in aldosterone production by ACE inhibitors also affects potassium levels.

      • The tendency is for potassium retention, which may be serious in patients with renal disease or if the patient is also taking potassium sparing diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents or potassium supplements.

    • Captopril (Capoten): not a prodrug

    • Enalapril (Vasotec): prodrug

    • Lisinopril (Prinvivil, Zestril): not a prodrug

    • Ramipril (Altace): prodrug

  • Captopril (Capoten)

    • Overview

      • Orally effective, competitive inhibitor of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptidase) [enzyme converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II (active)]

      • Decreases circulating angiotensin II and aldosterone (angiotensin II stimulates aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex)

        •  Compensatory response: increase in angiotensin I and increased renin levels (loss of negative feedback control)

      • Decrease in aldosterone cause slight increase in serum potassium

    • Pharmacokinetics:captopril

      • well absorbed; 25%-30% protein bound

      • rapid converting enzyme inhibition (within 15 minutes following oral administration)

      • 50% drug excreted unchanged

      • elimination half-life: two hours -- oxidation, real excretion

    • Cardiovascular Effects: captopril (Capoten)

      • Decrease systemic vascular resistance (secondary to a decrease in Na⁺ and water retention)

      • Prominent decrease in renal vascular resistance

      • Reduced systemic blood pressure: no change in heart rate and cardiac output

        • Absence of heart rate change despite reduced blood pressure may suggest alteration baroreceptor sensitivity

      • No orthostatic hypotension (captopril does not interfere with sympathetic nervous system function)

      • captopril may improve vasodilator drug treatment efficacy in management of CHF by blocking vasodilator-induced increases in renin secretion

    • Adverse Effects

    • Angioedema, although rare, may be potentially fatal

    • ACE inhibitiors should not be used during pregnancy

    • Dry cough

    • In renovascular hypertension, glomerular filtration pressures are maintained by vasoconstriction of the post-glomerular arterioles, an effect mediated by angiotensin II. Used of ACE inhibitors in patients with renovascular hypertension due to bilateral renal artery stenosis can therefore precipitate a significant reduction in GFR and acute renal failure.

    • Initial dose of an ACE inhibitor may precipitate an excessive hypotensive response.

• Losartin (Cozaar);  Irbesartin

  • Angiotensin II receptor antagonists: Losartin (Cozaar) and Irbesartin, AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonists, act by blocking the interaction between angiotensin II and its receptor.

  • The magnitude of the blood pressure decrease associated with losartin may be somewhat less than that seen with ACE inhibitors.

Essential Hypertension (greater than 90% of cases)

• Occurs in patients who have arterial hypertension without a clear, definable cause.

• Essential hypertension is also referred to as primary or idiopathic hypertension.

• Classification of Arterial Hypertension

  • I. Systolic hypertension (with wide pulse pressure) can be caused either by conditions of decreased aortic compliance, often due to arteriosclerosis or to increased stroke volume.

    •  Some conditions that increase stroke volume:

      • Thyrotoxicosis

      • Fever

      • Aortic regurgitation

  • II. Systolic and Diastolic hypertension (increased peripheral vascular resistance)

    • Renal 

      • Renovascular stenosis or renal infarction

      • Polycystic kidney disease

      • Acute and chronic glomerulonephritis

      • Chronic pyelonephritis

      • Renin-producing tumors

      • Other severe renal diseases)

    • Endocrine 

      • Adrenocortical hyperactivity (Cushing's disease, primary hyperaldosteronism)

      • Oral contraceptives

      • Pheochromcytoma

      • Acromegaly

      • Myxedema

    • Neurogenic

      • Psychogenic

      • Polyneuritis

      • Elevated intracranial pressure

      • Familial dysautonomia

    • Miscellaneous

      • Increased intravascular volume

      • Polyarteritis nodosa

      • Hypercalcemia

      • Aortic coarctation

  • Hypertension of Unknown Etiology

    • Toxemia of pregnancy

    • Acute intermittant porphyria

    • Essential Hypertension (> 90% of all cases of hypertension

Control of Blood Pressure

Arterial pressure is determined by a number of interacting factors

• Physiological Factors Influencing Arterial Pressure

• Preload and Contractility:

  • As blood volume returning to the heart increases, preload increases and there is enhanced filling with ventricular dilation.

  • According to Starling's Law, increased ventricular stretch usually leads to increased contractility.

  • Increased preload and increased contractility lead to increased stroke volume and ultimately an increase in arterial pressure, all other factors remaining equal.

  • Some antihypertensive drugs decrease preload.

• Heart rate: Since the product of heart rate and stroke volume equals cardiac output, an increase in heart rate will increase arterial blood pressure, all other factors remaining equal.

  • Some antihypertensive agents decrease heart rate (ß-adrenergic receptor antagonists, e.g.).

  • Heart Rate X Stroke Volume = Cardiac Output

  • Cardiac Output X Peripheral Resistance = Arterial Pressure

• Peripheral resistance: For a given cardiac output, blood pressure depends only on peripheral resistance. Some antihypertensive drugs act to reduce peripheral resistance.

•  Depending on mechanism of action, a given antihypertensive may:

  • Reduce preload

  • Reduce afterload

  • Decrease heart rate

  • Reduce peripheral resistance

  • Reduce contractility.

•  Many antihypertensive drugs have multiple effects.

Antihypertensive Drugs and Anesthesia

• There is probably excessive concern about interaction potential between anesthetics and antihypertensive drugs.

• Areas of concern for administration of anesthetic to patients treated with antihypertensive medications:

  • Reduced sympathetic nervous system activity--manifestations:

    • Orthostatic hypotension

    •  Excessive systemic blood-pressure responses (decreases) to:

      1. acute blood loss

      2. body position changes

      3. decreased venous return cause by positive-pressure ventilation

    • Reduced sensitivity to indirect-acting sympathomimetic agents (caused by antihypertensive drugs that deplete norepinephrine from nerve terminals

    • Possible enhanced response to catecholamines and direct-acting sympathomimetics following sympathetic nervous system blockade (reduced alpha-adrenergic receptor tone with loss of tonic stimulation)

  • Altered physiological response to sympathomimetic agents

  • Sedation

• Maintenance of antihypertensive drug treatment during perioperative time frame:

  • Fewer systemic blood-pressure and heart rate fluctuations during anesthesia

  • Decreased likelihood of cardiac dysrhythmias

  • Conclusion:

    • Previously effective antihypertensive drug therapy should be continued during the perioperative period.

    • The pharmacology of the particular antihypertensive drug should be considered in the development of the anesthesia plan.

Stoelting, R.K., "Antihypertensive Drugs", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, 302-312.

  Considerations:  Anesthetic Management in Hypertensive Patients

Hypertension:  Organ Systems Effects

• Cardiovascular System

  • Normal control of BP: sympathoadrenal axis-- response to a decrease in BP

    •  Sensed by Central baroreceptors (heart and great arteries)

    •  Stimulation of ß-adrenergic systems

      • increased heart rate (positive chronotropic response)

      • increased force of contraction (contractility, positive inotropic response)

      • increased renin secretion (juxtaglomerular renal cells)

    •  Stimulation of alpha-adrenoceptor systems: causes vasoconstriction

• Essential Hypertension

  • With essential hypertension, above mechanisms function inappropriately

    •  Excessive sympathetic activation

      • Elevated norepinephrine may promote through vascular endothelium injury:

        1. vascular hypertrophy

        2. atherogenesis

    •  ß-adrenergic receptor down-regulation

    •  Reduced endothelium-mediated vascular relaxation

    • Consequence: increased vasoconstrictive tone (chronic vasoconstriction)

    •  Excessive sympathetic activation promotes enhanced peripheral vascular resistance in hypertensive patients

  • Hypertension and the kidney: 

    • ß-adrenergic receptor stimulation leads to increased renin secretion which in turn leads to increased angiotensin II levels

    • Increased angiotensin II levels promotes an increase in BP by means of:

      1. direct vasoconstriction

      2. increasing renal cortical (zona glomerulosa)aldosterone production which causes  intravascular volume expansion

    • Hypertension associated with elevated renin levels may predispose patients to myocardial infarction (compared to those patients with normal/decreased renin levels)

    • Hypertension associated with elevated renin levels is amenable to treatment with ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril (Capoten))

    • "Pressure-naturesis"-dysfunctional in hypertensive kidneys (Definition of pressure-naturesis: increasing Na⁺ and H₂O excretion by the kidney with increased blood-pressure)

• Secondary Hypertension

  • Frequency: 4%-5% of hypertensive patients

  • Principal causes:

    • Endocrine

    • Renal

  • Endocrine causes of secondary hypertension

    • Cushing's Syndrome--Cortisol overproduction

      • Adrenal hyperplasia:

        • Secondary to excessive pituitary ACTH production

          • Pituitary-hypothalamic dysfunction

          • Pituitary ACTH-producing micro-or macroadenomas

        • Secondary to ACTH or CRH producing nonendocrine tumors

          1. Bronchogenic carcinoma

          2. Thymic carcinoma

          3. Pancreatic carcinoma

          4. Bronchial adenoma

      • Adrenal nodular hyperplasia

      • Adrenal neoplasia

        • Adenoma

        • Carcinoma

      • Exogenous, iatrogenic causes (most common cause)

        • Long-term glucocorticoid use

        • Long-term ACTH use

        • Primary Non-iatrogenic Cause:

          •  bilateral adrenal hyperplasia due to pituitary adenoma (basophilic tumor)

          •  about 20 to 25 percent of Cushing's syndrome patients have adrenal neoplasm

      

      "Adenoma composed of basophilic cells (blue with HandE stain) in Cushing disease."

      • (c) 1999 KUMC Pathology and the University of Kansas, used with permission; courtesy of Dr. James Fishback, Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center.

      • Cushing's disease-Presenting Symptoms:Hypertension,  Truncal obesity, Glucose intolerance, Muscle weakness, Striae*

        • *"Stretch marks on the skin with a silvery-white hue. Often the result of stretching the skin in pregnancy. Heavy or long-term
          corticosteroid use (cream or oral forms) can cause striae formation.-on-line medical dictionary" (http://www.graylab.ac.uk/omd/)

    • Hyperaldosteronism

      • Primary aldosteronism 

        • Overview:

          •   Twice as common in women as in man

          •   Most often presents between 30 in 50 years of age

        • Most common cause:

          •  Adrenal adenoma -- excessive aldosterone production

            • unilateral adenoma (usually small; either side)

          •  Conn's syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism;Two types of abnormalities are noted: (1) benign tumor of one adrenal (adenoma) or (2) hyperplasia., a general enlargement of both adrenals. 

        • Other causes:

          • hyperplastic adrenal glands -- abnormal secretion

          • malignant tumor

            • adrenal carcinoma (rare)

        • Physiological Effects of aldosterone hypersecretion:

          • increased renal distal tubular exchange of sodium for secreted potassium and hydrogen ions -- body potassium depletion/hypokalemia

        • Diagnosis--Criteria:

          1.   diastolic hypertension (no edema)

          2.   renin hyposecretion (low plasma renin activity)

             • renin secretion does not increase with volume depletion

          3.   aldosterone hypersecretion that is not suppressed with volume expansion

        • Clinical Presentation 

          • Diastolic hypertension (not very severe)

            • secondary to increased sodium reabsorption/volume expansion

          • Headaches

          • Polyuria, polydipsia

            • impairment of urinary concentrating ability

          • Weakness

            • due to effects of potassium depletion

          • Tetany

          • Electrocardiographic changes -- consistent with potassium depletion (hypokalemia-- which increases ectopy)

            • prominent U waves

            • cardiac arrhythmias

            • premature contractions

          • Many effects secondary to potassium loss associated with:

            • hypokalemia

              •   may be severe (< 3 mmol/L)

            •  hypernatremia-- due to:

              •  sodium retention

              •  water loss from polyuria

            •  metabolic alkalosis-- due to

              •  urinary hydrogen ion loss

              •  movement of hydrogen ion into potassium-depleted cells

              •  alkalosis enhanced by potassium deficiency which increases proximal convoluted tubule capacity to reabsorb filtered bicarbonate.

        • Secondary aldosteronism 

          • Cause: inappropriate increased aldosterone production due to renin-angiotensin system activation

          •    Associated with:

            •   Accelerated hypertension

            •   Edema 

          • in pregnancy:

            • normal physiologic response to estrogen-induced increased plasma renin substrate and plasma renin activity and to antialdosterone actions of progestogens

          • in hypertension -- cause:

            • overproduction of renin (primary reninism)

            •  renin overproduction secondary to reduced renal blood flow/perfusion pressure

              •   reduced renal artery lumen secondary to atherosclerosis or fiber muscular hyperplasia

            •  severe arteriolar nephrosclerosis (malignant hypertension)

            •  profound renal vasoconstriction (accelerated hypertension)

          • may be caused by rare renin-producing tumors (primary reninism)

            • juxtaglomerular cell tumor

          • Physiological characteristics:

            • increased plasma renin activity

            • moderate/marked increases in aldosterone levels

            • hypokalemic alkalosis

    • Pheochromocytoma

      • Pheochromocytoma 

        • Occurs as:

          •  a singular tumor or as

          •  an element of  multiple endocrine neoplasia (including thyroidal medullary carcinoma and hyperparathyroidism)

        •  Associated with elevated catecholamine levels

        • Surgical manipulation (during tumor removal) is likely to cause a rapid increase in blood-pressure due to releases of catecholamines.

        • Patients with pheochromocytoma may have reduced blood volume-a factor to consider in perioperative management

        • Undiagnosed pheochromocytoma in patients presenting intraoperatively with hypertension is associated with high mortality (50%)

        • Pharmacological management prior to tumor removal

          • alpha and ß-adrenoceptor blockers (a blockers to reduce vasoconstriction; ß-blockers decrease heart and contractility, also reducing blood pressure) -- both groups of adrenergic blocking agents protect against the effects of elevated circulating catecholamines due to tumor.

            • alpha-adrenergic blockade should precede beta-receptor blockade in order to prevent severe hypertension due to unopposed (ß-receptor-mediated) a receptor mediated  vasoconstriction.

            • alpha-adrenergic blockers--Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline) or phentolamine (Regitine): used to control blood pressure prior to definitive surgical treatment

            • Pheochromocytoma

            • "Catecholamine-secreting pheochromocytoma of adrenal medulla gross. Note spherical enlargement of the adrenal medulla in this cross section of adrenal."

              • (c) 1999 KUMC Pathology and the University of Kansas, used with permission; courtesy of Dr. James Fishback, Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center.

• Hulyalkar, A. R., and Miller, E.D., Evaluation of the Hypertensive Patient in Principles and Practice of Anesthesiology (Longnecker, D.E., Tinker, J.H. Morgan, Jr., G. E., eds)  Mosby, St. Louis, Mo., pp. 157-165, 1998.

• Goldfien, A.,Adrenocorticosteroids and Adrenocortical Antagonists, in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, (Katzung, B. G., ed) Appleton-Lange, 1998, pp 635-650.

• Williams, G. H and Dluhy, R. G. , Diseases of the Adrenal Cortex, In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 14th edition, (Isselbacher, K.J., Braunwald, E., Wilson, J.D., Martin, J.B., Fauci, A.S. and Kasper, D.L., eds) McGraw-Hill, Inc (Health Professions Division), 1998, pp 2035-2056.

Chronic Hypertension: Effects on Cardiac function

• Early Cardiac problems associated with chronic hypertension

  • Diastolic relaxation abnormalities (may be subclinical)

    •  Such diastolic dysfunction may manifest during surgical stress

    •  Identification of diastolic dysfunction: echocardiography (Pulsed-wave Doppler)

    •  Abnormal filling characteristic secondary to diminish left ventricular compliance (increasing ventricular wall stiffness)

•  Angina:

  •  May occur in the absence of coronary vascular disease-- secondary to reduced coronary flow reserve

  •  Transient myocardial ischemia may occur in the absence of coronary vascular disease in these patients (frequency = 50%)

    • Probable mechanism: abnormal coronary flow reserve (ischemia unrelated to left ventricular hypertrophy)

•  Left ventricular hypertrophy:

  • Reversibility: dependent on antihypertensive protocol

  • ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril (Capoten)) or  the calcium channel blocker verapamil (Isoptin, Calan): effective in reducing left ventricular hypertrophy

  •  Other agents useful in left ventricular hypertrophy management:

    • Methyldopa (Aldomet)

    • Calcium  channel blockers

• Methyldopa (Aldomet)

  •  Methyldopa (Aldomet) is a prodrug which is metabolized to the active agent, alpha-methylnorepinephrine.

    • Alpha-methylnorepinephrine acts in the brain, inhibiting adrenergic outflow from the brainstem. Inhibition of sympathetic outflow results in a decrease in blood pressure.

  • Methyldopa (Aldomet) produces no change in cardiac output in younger patients, but in older patients a decline in cardiac output results from reduced heart rate and stroke volume.

    • The reduction in stroke volume occurs due to increased venous pooling (decreased preload).

  • Since renal blood flow and function is maintained during methyldopa (Aldomet) treatment, methyldopa maybe valuable in managing hypertensive patients with renal insufficiency.

• Calcium channel blockers 

  • Calcium channel blockers are effective in treating hypertension because they reduce peripheral resistance.

  • Arteriolar vascular tone depends on free intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.

    • Calcium channel blockers reduce transmembrane movement of Ca²⁺ , reduce the amount reaching intracellular sites and therefore reduce vascular smooth muscle tone.

  • All calcium channel blocks appear similarly effective for management of mild to moderate hypertension.

  • For low-renin hypertensive patients (elderly and African-American groups), Ca²⁺ channel blockers appear good choices for monotherapy (single drug) control.

  • Interactions with Anesthetics:

    • In anesthetized patients with preexisting left ventricular dysfunction--

      •  verapamil (Isoptin, Calan) administration results in:

        1. myocardial depression

        2. reduced cardiac output

    • In patients with depressed left ventricular function, anesthetized with a volatile anesthetic,and undergoing open-chest surgery:

      •  IV verapamil (Isoptin, Calan) or diltiazem (Cardiazem) further decreases ventricular function

    • In patients with preoperative cardiac conduction anomalies, treated with combined calcium channel blockers and beta-adrenergic receptor blockers: condition not associated with perioperative cardiac conduction abnormalities.

  • Interactions with neuromuscular-blocking drugs:

    • Calcium channel blockers potentiate depolarizing and nondepolarizing neuromuscular-blocking drug effects.

    • Similar to effects produced by "mycin" antibiotics in the presence of neuromuscular-blocking drugs (mycins:decrease acetylcholine release, e.g. gentamycin; tetracyclines - chelate calcium and decrease acetylcholine release) 

      •  Note that verapamil (Isoptin, Calan) possesses local anesthetic properties -- due to sodium channel blockade -- in effect which contributes to neuromuscular-blocking drug effect potentiation

      •  Neuromuscular effects of verapamil (Isoptin, Calan): more likely to be evidenced in patients with reduced neuromuscular transmission margin of safety.

    •  Neuromuscular-blockade antagonism: possibly impaired by reduced acetylcholine presynaptic release in the presence of a calcium channel blocker (presynaptic calcium influx is typically required for neurotransmitter release)

• Risks associated with hypertensive cardiomyopathy and caused by myocardial ischemia (secondary to increased myocardial oxygen demand  and reduced coronary flow reserve

  • Sudden Death

  • Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias

• Abnormal ventricular compliance: major characteristic of hypertensive cardiomyopathy

  • Systolic function significantly limited in end-stage disease

  • Sequence in chronic hypertension:

    • Slow increase in left ventricular diastolic pressure (preload) leads to reactive fibrosis + hypertrophy [Increased hypertrophy reduces wall tension] which causes monocyte necrosis and reparative fibrosis (ACE inhibitors, e.g. lisinopril (Prinvivil, Zestril) may prevent reactive fibrosis but reparative fibrosis may be irreversible)

    • Ventricular hypertrophy -- significant wall thickening -- predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias

    • Hypertrophic and fibrotic myocardium associated with patients who have both diabetes and hypertension

• ACE inhibitors

  • Angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, is produced by the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) on the substrate angiotensin I. Angiotensin II activity produces

    • a rapid pressor response

    • a slow pressor response and

    • vascular and cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling.

  • Antihypertensive effects of ACE inhibitors are due to the reduction in the amount of angiotensin II produced.

  • ACE inhibitors are efficacious in management of hypertension and have a favorable side effect profile.

  • ACE inhibitor are advantageous in management of diabetic patients by reducing the development of diabetic neuropathy and glomerulosclerosis.

  • ACE inhibitor are probably the antihypertensive drug of choice in treatment of hypertensive patient who have hypertrophic left ventricles.

    • Hypertensive patients who have ischemic heart disease with impaired left ventricular function also benefit from ACE inhibitor treatment.

  • ACE inhibitors reduce the normal aldosterone response to sodium loss (normally aldosterone opposes diuretic-induced sodium loss).

    • Therefore, the use of ACE inhibitors enhance the efficacy of diuretic treatment, allowing the use of lower diuretic dosages and improving control of hypertension.

  •  If diuretics are administered at higher dosages in combination with ACE inhibitors significant and undesirable hypotensive reactions can occur with attendant excessive sodium loss.

  •  Reduction in aldosterone production by ACE inhibitors also affects potassium levels.

    • The tendency is for potassium retention, which may be serious in patients with renal disease or if the patient is also taking potassium sparing diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents or potassium supplements.

Hulyalkar, A. R., and Miller, E.D., Evaluation of the Hypertensive Patient in Principles and Practice of Anesthesiology (Longnecker, D.E., Tinker, J.H. Morgan, Jr., G. E., eds)  Mosby, St. Louis, Mo., pp. 157-165, 1998. Stoelting, R.K., "Calcium Channel Blockers", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, p. 352-353.

• Chronic Hypertension: CNS Effects

  • Hypertension and Stroke

    •  Reduction in BP reduces stroke incidence

    •  Hypertension predisposes to both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke

  • Mechanism:

    •  Hypertension damages vascular endothelium and in turn damaged endothelial cells promote: 

      • (1) localized platelets aggregation

      • (2) thrombus formation and 

      • (3) atheromatous plaque formation

    •  Plaque formation reduces distal flow

    •  Reduced vessel lumen dimension promotes turbulent blood flow which causes further injury

    •  Smooth muscle media hypertrophy may weaken vascular integrity, increasing the likelihood of hemorrhagic stroke

  • Thrombotic Stroke

    • Acute thrombus  at site of vessel narrowing

    • If a portion of the thrombus breaks off, distal vessel plugging results in embolic stroke

  • Predisposing factors for embolic stroke:

    • Cardiac arrhythmias

      • Atrial fibrillation  (myocardial thrombus formation leading to cerebral emboli)

      • Hypertension predisposes the myocardium to arrhythmias

  • Infarcts secondary to hypotension, when BP  falls below range of cerebral autoregulation 

    •  (Watershed infarcts = insufficient systemic blood-pressure for arterial blood to reach the end of vascular branches-- in particular   poor cerebral  cortical perfusion of a susceptible "watershed zone" between anterior and   middle cerebral artery or middle and posterior cerebral artery  may result in linear infarcts)

    •  In the chronically hypertensive patient, a greater blood-pressure is required to maintain adequate  cerebral perfusion compared to normal patients

Watershed Infarct image courtesy of the Digital Slice of Life Cooperative Project

• Chronic Hypertension: Renal Effects

  • Chronic renal injury

    •  Intimal hyperplasia

    •  Afferent arteriolar sclerosis

    •  Parenchymal fibrosis

      • secondary to reduced  blood flow

    • Reduced renal function as a result of hypertension is characterized by a gradual degradation in renal function (benign nephrosclerosis), leading to ultimately a rapid and irreversible renal failure (malignant nephrosclerosis)

    •  Characteristics of benign nephrosclerosis

      1. Renal dysfunction probably due to compensatory hyperfiltration by normal glomeruli

      2. Increase glomerular pressure is associated with proteinuria

      3. Hyperfiltration of certain glomeruli tends to induce sclerosis of otherwise normal glomeruli

  •  Malignant Nephrosclerosis

    • Renal manifestation of malignant hypertension

    • If untreated (initially with IV vasodilators), malignant hypertension will precipitate renal failure within days-weeks

    • Treatment: typically IV vasodilators initially (e.g., nitroprusside sodium (Nipride), nitroglycerin)

    • Three renal histological changes associated with malignant hypertension

      • Arteriolar fibrinoid necrosis

      • Hyperplastic arteriosclerosis (arteriolar "onion-skinning"-note the vessel in the center of the image below)

      • Glomerulitis in the hypercellular glomerulus (screen position: 7 o'clock position below)

      • Description and image: courtesy of The Urbana Atlas of Pathology, use with permission

Malignant Nephrosclerosis Images

Image contribution by Saint Francis Hospital

Hulyalkar, A. R., and Miller, E.D., Evaluation of the Hypertensive Patient in Principles and Practice of Anesthesiology (Longnecker, D.E., Tinker, J.H. Morgan, Jr., G. E., eds)  Mosby, St. Louis, Mo., pp. 157-165, 1998.

• Chronic Hypertension: Perioperative Issues

  • Increased intraoperative blood-pressure lability in patients not receiving their antihypertensive medication: Recommendation -- administer medications on the day of surgery

    •  -- Exception: possibly diuretics

  • Concerning elective surgery in patients with uncontrolled hypertension:

    •  Surgery not associated with elevated incidence of perioperative cardiac morbidity if preoperative diastolic pressures were less than 110 mm Hg with careful perioperative blood-pressure monitoring

  • Preoperative approaches to the hypertensive patients:

    • Factors that increase risk of myocardial ischemia intraoperatively

      • uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension control solely with diuretics (compared to patients treated with atenolol (Tenormin))

      • myocardial ischemia --most likely occurs during:

        • intubation

        • emergence from anesthesia

    • Intraoperative ischemia: primary association = tachycardia

  • Special considerations:

    •  Diabetic patients with hypertension (noncardiac surgical procedures)

      •  Predictors of postoperative ischemia/infarction

        1. Preoperative cardiomegaly (demonstrate radiographically)

        2. Previous myocardial infarction

      •  Intraoperatively events predictive of postoperative  for cardiovascular complications (renal/cardiac morbidity)

        • intraoperative hypotension (> 20 mm Hg decrease in mean arterial pressure (duration >  1 hour))

        • intraoperative hypertension (> 20 mm Hg increased in mean arterial pressure (duration >  15 minutes )) alternating with hypotension 

    •  Hypertension and organ transplantation

      • Occurs only in some patients

      • Hypertension increases the likelihood of renal failure in the transplanted kidney

      • Antihypertensive drug treatment: no improvement in graft survival

      • Post-organ transplantation hypertension probably due to immunosuppressive drugs:

        • Glucocorticoids -- Na⁺/H₂O retention

        • Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral): increased sympathetic nervous system activity (suggested factor)

  • Perioperative issues in managing patients with cerebrovascular disease/hypertension:

    •  Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

      • Hypertension management may reduce re-bleeding

      • Hypertension management, however may increase cerebral infarction risk

      •  Surgical intervention for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients who have had hypertension: associated with increased seizure risk.

        •  Diastolic pressures: best maintained in a range of 95-105 mm Hg

        •  Post-operative control of BP and vasospasm-- nimodipine (Nimotop)

  • Nimodipine (Nimotop)

    • Overview

      • Highly lipid-soluble nefedipine analog

      • Ready access to the CNS -- reduces large cerebral arterial contraction

    • Clinical Use:

      • Cerebral Vasospasm:

        •  Useful in preventing/reducing cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage

        • Vasospasm -- mediated by calcium ion influx

        • Nimodipine (Nimotop) administered over a three week course (oral administration) results and decreased frequency of neurologic defects secondary to cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

          • For comatose patients: deliver through nasogastric tube

        •  Side effects/Concerns:

          • systemic hypotension (with excess nimodipine (Nimotop) effect)

          • possible increase in intracranial pressure -- especially in patients with decreased intracranial compliance

Hypertension and Anesthetic management

• Elective surgery issues:

  • Cancel elective surgery if diastolic pressure > 115 mm Hg (until evaluation and treatment result  in controlled pressure)

• Emergency surgery issues:

  • Intraoperative management of BP with--

    • Short-acting parenteral drugs, e.g. nitroprusside sodium (Nipride), nitroglycerin, esmolol (Brevibloc)

• Nitroprusside (Nipride)

  • Overview:nitroprusside (Nipride)

    • Direct-acting, nonselective peripheral vasodilator--NO mediated

    • Relaxation of arterial and venous vascular smooth muscle

    • Structure:

      • ferrous iron center complex with five cyanide moieties and a nitrosyl group (44% cyanide by weight)

    • Immediate onset of action

    • Short duration (requires continuous IV administration to maintain effect)

    • High-potency:

      •  requires careful dosage titration

      •  frequent systemic blood pressure monitoring -- often by intra-arterial catheter

  • Mechanism of Action: nitroprusside

    • nitroprusside interacts with oxyhemoglobin, forming methemoglobin with cyanide ion and nitric oxide (NO) release

    • NO activates guanylyl cyclase (in vascular smooth muscle);resulting in increased intracellular cGMP

    • cGMP inhibits calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle (may also increase calcium uptake by smooth endoplasmic reticulum): producing vasodilation

      • Mechanisms by which cGMP relaxes vascular smooth muscle remain to be elucidated. cGMP does, however, activate K+ channels (hyperpolarizing effect),  activate a cGMP-dependent protein kinase, , decrease IP3, and inhibit calcium entry into the smooth muscle cells.

    • NO: active mediator responsible for direct nitroprusside vasodilating effect.

      • Note that organic nitrates (e.g. nitroglycerin) require thio-containing agents to generate NO

  • Metabolism:nitroprusside

    • The reaction: nitroprusside interacts with oxyhemoglobin, leading to methemoglobin formation with cyanide ion and nitric oxide (NO) release produces an unstable nitroprusside radical

    • nitroprusside radicals decomposes releasing five cyanide ions (one cyanide reacts with methemoglobin to form cyanomethemoglobin)

    • remaining free cyanide ions (following reaction with hepatic and renal rhodanase) are converted to thiocyanate (thiosulfate donor: body sulfur stores are sufficient detoxifying about 50 milligrams nitroprusside))

  • Organ System Effects: Nitroprusside

    • Overview: Principal effects referable to:

      • Cardiovascular system

      • Cerebral blood flow

      • Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

      • Platelet aggregation

    • Cardiovascular Effects: Nitroprusside

      • Direct venous/arterial vasodilation; rapid decrease in systemic blood-pressure

      • Reduced systemic vascular resistance (arterial vasodilation; venous capacitance vessel vasodilation)

      • Positive inotropic and chronotropic responses: reflex-mediated secondary to hypotensive response

      • Net increase in cardiac output due to:

        •  increase contractility

        •  decreased left ventricular ejection impedance

      • Hypotensive response: associated with reduced renal function; renin release occurs (explains over shoot upon nitroprusside discontinuation (ACE inhibitor-sensitive, i.e. an ACE inhibitor will prevent this overshoot effect))

      • Nitroprusside: may worsen myocardial infarction damage due to "coronary steal", blood flow directed away from ischemic areas by arteriolar vasodilation

    • Cerebrovascular Effects:

      • Increased cerebral blood flow, volume.

        • with decreased intracranial compliance,  increased intracranial pressure results

        • Generally, increases in intracranial pressure are most apparent when systemic mean arterial pressure decreases by less than 30%

        • if systemic mean arterial pressure decreases by > 30%, intracranial pressure decreases below the awake level.

      • Nitroprusside contraindicated in patients with known inadequate cerebral blood flow (e.g. high intracranial pressure; carotid artery stenosis)

    • Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction

      • Nitroprusside infusion (and other vasodilators) causes decrease in PaO₂

      • Mechanism: vasodilator-mediated reduction in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

  • Clinical Uses: -- nitroprusside (Nipride)

    1. Control hypotension during anesthesia and surgery

       • Rapid, predictable vasodilation and decrease in BP allows a nearly bloodless surgical field, required in some operations: spine surgery, neurosurgery (also reduces transfusions)

       • Other drugs that might be chosen to produce controlled hypotension, nitroprusside is most likely to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion (mean arterial pressure's of 50-60 mm Hg can be maintained without apparent complications (in healthy patients))

       • The potential for cyanide toxicity can be diminished by:

         1. Use of other cardiovascular depressant drugs which reduce nitroprusside requirements

         2. These drugs include: volatile anesthetics, beta-adrenergic antagonists, calcium channel blockers; note that beta adrenergic antagonists may cause a decreased cardiac output-- a potential problem in patients with diminished the ventricular reserve.

    2. Treatment of hypertensive emergencies

    3. Acute and chronic heart failure

       • Reduction of afterload may be important for patients with CHF, mitral or aortic regurgitation, acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular failure

       • Role of nitroprusside in chronic, congestive heart failure -- advantageous because:

         1. reduced ventricular ejection impedance (injection at lower end-diastolic volumes

         2. preload reduction (secondary to blood pooling in venous capacitance vessels -- reflected in decreased ventricular and-diastolic volume)

    4. Surgical indications:

       • Aortic surgery

         • reduction of proximal hypertension associated with aortic cross-clamping (thoracic aortic aneurysm, dissections, coarctations)

         • distal hypotension may occur (relative to clamp location)

       • Cardiac surgery necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass

         • Activation of renin-angiotensin system may cause systemic hypertension during cardiac surgery

         • Nitroprusside is effective in reducing such increases in BP

         • Following cardiopulmonary bypass (re-warming phase), nitroprusside-mediated vasodilation facilitates heat delivery to tissues (reduces nasopharyngeal temperature decline after bypass)

         • Nitroprusside is effective in managing pulmonary hypertension after valve replacement

       • Pheochromocytoma resection

  • Hypertensive Crisis

    • Vasodilators used for acute management of hypertensive crisis or malignant hypertension include sodium nitroprusside and diazoxide.

      • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) is the agent of choice-- advantages

        • Rapid onset

        • Effect diminishes rapidly upon drug discontinuation

        • May also be used (rapid injection) to reduce systemic blood-pressure associated with direct laryngoscopic tracheal intubation

      • Administered by a continuously variable rate i.v. infusion pump, precise blood pressure control can be obtained.

      • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride), a nitrovasodilator, is metabolized by smooth muscle cells to nitric oxide which dilates both arterioles and venules.

• If patients have controlled hypertension, anxiolytics may be appropriate (preoperative medication)

  •  diazepam (Valium); oral 

  •  midazolam (Versed); intramuscular

• Patients managed with diuretic drugs for hypertension:

  • Diuretics not given on same day of surgery

  • Patients may be volume depleted

  • Patients whose hypertension is managed with diuretics may have to be dehydrated prior to the surgical procedure (remaining     antihypertensive medications, i.e. non-diuretics should be  administered on the surgical day.)

• Management of hemodynamic variability during  anesthetic induction/emergence:

  • Reduction of variability

    • Esmolol (Brevibloc) (short-acting ß-receptor blockers)

      • Effective in management of sinus tachyarrhythmias and hypertension in cardiac and noncardiac surgical patients

    • Lidocaine (Xylocaine)

    • Nicardipine (Cardene)-management of perioperative hypertension

• Choice of anesthetic for maintenance:

  • Any agent reasonable except for ketamine (Ketalar)

    • Ketamine (Ketalar) associated with hypertension, increased intracranial pressure and tachycardia

•  Intraoperative management of acute blood pressure increases:

  • Prior to antihypertensive drug administration, rule out:

    • hypoxemia

    • hypercarbia

    • inadequate anesthetic depth

Hulyalkar, A. R., and Miller, E.D., Evaluation of the Hypertensive Patient in Principles and Practice of Anesthesiology (Longnecker, D.E., Tinker, J.H. Morgan, Jr., G. E., eds)  Mosby, St. Louis, Mo., pp. 157-165, 1998. Stoelting, R.K., "Calcium Channel Blockers", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, p. 350; Stoelting, R.K., "Antihypertensive Drugs", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, 302-312;and "Peripheral Vasodilators", in Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999, 315-322.

Pharmacological Management of Hypertension

• Non-pharmacological interventions: Diet, Stress reduction, regular aerobic exercise, weight reduction as needed, control of other risk factors (blood lipids, smoking)

  • Diet involves several aspects that may include:

    • reduction of sodium intake

    • caloric restriction for obese patients

    • restriction of cholesterol and saturated fat intake.

• Pharmacological Management

  • Pharmacological interventions in essential hypertension management is based on selecting often a single initial agent and evaluation of patient response. Unless clinical conditions require immediate reduction in blood pressure as in hypertensive crisis, the first step may involve the use of :

    • a calcium channel blocker or beta-blocker, or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor). The specific clinical presentation may favor one choice over another.

      1. For example, in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the use of a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist may be contraindicated since agents belonging to this drug class may cause bronchoconstriction.

      2. Alternatively, a patient with marginal left ventricular function, predisposed to congestive heart failure, may not tolerate beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers because both mediate a negative inotropic effect (reduced myocardial contractility). At this step, beginning with a low dosage first is usually appropriate.

  • Thiazide diuretics has been often used in the past as the first drug given.

    1. Thiazides may be added if adequate blood pressure control by a calcium-channel blocker, a beta-blocker, or an ACE inhibitor has not been achieved.

    2. Thiazides promote potassium loss and increases in serum lipids.

  • If control has not been achieve with the above drugs at optimal dosages, a antiadrenergic drug may be added (such as a central or peripheral-acting sympatholyic). Peripheral vasodilators may also be used at this stage.

  • The general idea is to use a single agent before progressing to multiple agents and then stronger multiple drugs. Often the side-effect profile becomes less favorable as more and stronger drugs are added.

• For hypertensive emergencies/crises sodium nitroprusside is the agent of first choice.

• Hypertensive Crisis

  • Definition: diastolic pressure > 130 mm Hg

  • Malignant hypertension (evidence of  end-organ damage): Medical emergency-requires immediate treatment

    • Malignant hypertension requires the use of parenteral agents with intra-arterial BP monitoring

  • Without end-organ damage present, oral or sublingual antihypertensive drugs might be used

  • Factors causing a rapid increase in BP:

    • Elevation of intracranial pressure (increased blood pressure allows maintenance of cerebral perfusion)

    • Neurological causes of hypertensive crisis:

      1. intracranial hemorrhage

      2. head trauma

      3. CNS tumor

      4. thromboembolic stroke

      5. subarachnoid hemorrhage

    • Cautious management for patients with hypertensive crisis --hypertensive drugs given in severe hypertension (> 200/130 mm Hg)

      • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) -- careful administration (may increase intracranial pressure and patients with reduced intracranial compliance)

      • Beta adrenergic receptor blocking drugs: Not recommended; may cause cerebral vasospasm

      • Centrally acting drugs (e.g., clonidine (Catapres); methyldopa (Aldomet)): not recommended for hypertensive crisis as a result  of neurological cause

Hemorrhage, Subarachnoid, Hypertensive Vessels (left); Hemorrhage, Intraventricular Medulla, Extension into Lateral Recess and Subarachnoid Space (right): Courtesy of Digital Slice of Life (

•  Cardiovascular causes of hypertensive crisis:

  • Myocardial infarction

  • Dissecting aortic aneurysm

  • Therapeutic Objectives:

    •  20%-25% reduction in diastolic or pressure (100 mm Hg)

    • For dissecting aortic aneurysm cases, reducing the arterial pressure rate of rise may prevent aneurysmal rupture-(nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) + ß-adrenoceptor blocker is a useful combination)

    •  In myocardial infarction, maintenance of coronary perfusion is critical as systemic pressure is reduced-Useful drugs include:

      • nitroglycerin

      • calcium channel blockers

      • ß adrenoceptor blockers

• Renal causes of hypertensive crisis:

  • Renal artery stenosis

  • Parenchymal renal disease

  • Therapeutic objectives: 

    • maintain renal perfusion while decreasing BP to prevent fibrinoid necrosis

  • Useful drugs:

    • Nitroprusside sodium (Nipride)

    • Calcium channel blockers

  • Other interventions:

    • the combination of renal failure and malignant hypertension may require dialysis

  •  Special cautions:

    • Thiocyanate levels must be monitored when nitroprusside sodium (Nipride) is used at high doses for extended periods of time

    • ACE inhibitors should not be used if bilateral renal artery stenosis suspected/confirmed:

      • Mechanism -- glomerular filtration is dependent on post-glomerular arteriolar constriction, which is maintained by angiotensin II. Renal failure can be induced if post-glomerular arterial constriction is lost.

• Other causes of hypertensive crisis:

  •  Ingestion of tyramine-rich foods in patients taking MAO inhibitors

  •  Preeclampsia

  •  Recreational drug use

  •  Hyperautonomic syndromes (chronic smoke or dysfunction)

  •  Pheochromocytoma-massive release of endogenous catecholamines by tumor.

CT imaging: Right Renal Artery Stenosis (left); bilateral Renal Artery Stenosis (right)-used with permission

• Hulyalkar, A. R., and Miller, E.D., Evaluation of the Hypertensive Patient in Principles and Practice of Anesthesiology (Longnecker, D.E., Tinker, J.H. Morgan, Jr., G. E., eds)  Mosby, St. Louis, Mo., pp. 157-165, 1998.