Controlled hypotension induced by sodium nitroprusside. A practical approach.

Although known since 1849 and introduced in medical practice 1955, sodium nitroprusside is used mostly in large medical centres fully equipped with monitoring equipment. This attitude has contributed that sodium nitroprusside is not as popular as it should be. An attempt is made to show that single banded practising anesthesist may and should use sodium nitroprusside to produce controlled hypotension, provided certain "safeguards" are followed. These safeguards are based on information got from the literature and own experience with sodium nitroprusside in obtaining controlled hypotension during anesthesia using sophisticated equipment as well as simplified monitoring, which is fully explained in the article.