Hydralazine Flashcards
What is Hydralazine primarily used for?
Hydralazine is primarily used in the management of hypertension and has important roles in anesthesia for intraoperative blood pressure control, management of hypertensive emergencies, and in obstetric anesthesia for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia management.
How does Hydralazine work to reduce blood pressure?
Hydralazine works by acting directly on the smooth muscle cells of arterioles, causing relaxation and a reduction in systemic vascular resistance, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
What are the clinical uses of Hydralazine in the context of anesthesia?
In anesthesia, Hydralazine is used for intraoperative blood pressure control, managing hypertensive emergencies during the perioperative period, and managing severe hypertension in patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
Describe the mechanism of action of Hydralazine.
Hydralazine’s mechanism involves entering vascular smooth muscle cells, modulating intracellular calcium by increasing efflux or inhibiting influx, leading to smooth muscle relaxation, arteriole dilation, and decreased systemic vascular resistance.
What are the key pharmacological characteristics of Hydralazine?
Hydralazine is a direct-acting arteriolar vasodilator, causing a greater decrease in diastolic than systolic blood pressure. It may cause a hyperdynamic circulatory state and is associated with sympathetic nervous system stimulation, leading to various cardiovascular changes.
What side effects can Hydralazine cause?
Side effects of Hydralazine may include a hyperdynamic circulatory state, tachycardia, increased myocardial contractility, increased plasma renin activity, sodium and water retention, and potentially a lupus erythematosus-like syndrome after prolonged use.
How is Hydralazine metabolism characterized?
Hydralazine metabolism is subject to polymorphic acetylation, with slow acetylators generally having higher plasma levels.
