[The effects of sodiumnitroprusside and trimethaphan induced hypotension on haemodynamics and myocardial oxygen consumption (author's transl)].

The influence of controlled hypotension (mean arterial pressure 60 mmHg) induced by sodium nitroprusside and trimethaphan on systemic circulation and myocardial oxygen consumption was studied in 7 anaesthetized closed chest dogs. The hypotensive effect of both drugs was primarily mediated by a reduction in total peripheral resistance. No change in cardiac output was observed. Stroke volume decreased in the presence of tachycardia. Left ventricular max dp/dt remained unaffected during sodium nitroprusside hypotension and was reduced by trimethaphan. Max dp/dt, load data and heart rate indicated that trimetaphan possesses negative inotropic properties. Sodium nitroprusside induced a hyperperfusion of the heart with a marked decrease in myocardial arteriovenous difference in oxygen. Myocardial oxygen consumption remained unchanged. Trimethaphan, on the other hand, induced only small increments in coronary blood flow and a rise in the arteriovenous difference in oxygen of the heart. This resulted in a higher myocardial oxygen consumption (+16%). Cardiac efficiency was lessened by trimethaphan and remained unaffected in the presence of sodium nitroprusside. As sodium nitroprusside neither affects myocardial oxygen consumption nor alters myocardial contractility, we conclude that sodium nitroprusside has advantages over trimethaphan in the management of controlled hypotension and in the therapy of hypertensive crisis and cardiogenic shock.