C. Opasich, G. Cioffi, A. Gualco
Aug 26, 2009
Citations
0
Influential Citations
17
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Current Heart Failure Reports
Abstract
Sodium nitroprusside is an older intravenous vasodilator appropriate for acute hospital treatment of patients with congestive heart failure. It is a balanced arterial and venous vasodilator with a very short half-life, facilitating rapid titration. In general, it improves hemodynamic and clinical status by reducing systemic vascular resistance, left ventricular filling pressure, and increasing cardiac output. This review summarizes recently published literature and recent data regarding the use of this intravenous vasodilator in decompensated heart failure patients.