[Organ blood flow in graduated, controlled hypotension induced with sodium nitroprusside].

Metabolic acidosis is a characteristic feature of SNP-induced hypotension; this acidosis is of hepatic origin and is not due to underperfusion of the organ but to cyanide-induced anaerobic metabolism. For SNP doses higher than 3 mg/kg body weight, lactate is produced in the myocardium, brain, and skeletal muscles. The observed changes were reversible after hypotension of 20 min duration.