[Intravenous nicardipine: a new calcium antagonist for perioperative use].

Nicardipine is a calcium antagonist belonging to the dihydropyridine group of molecules. An intravenous formulation has recently become available, offering certain advantages over other drugs in this group, given that it lacks their negative inotropic effects and its vasodilator effect favors coronary and cerebral artery beds. Nicardipine lowers arterial pressure in proportion to plasma levels by means of a reduction in systemic vascular resistance produced by relaxation of arteriolar smooth muscle. It has been suggested that nicardipine has a protective effect on the myocardium.