NICARDIPINE - PERIOPERATIVE APPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN

Nicardipine is the first intravenously administered dihydropyridine ca lcium channel blocker. Its primary physiological actions include vasod ilatation with limited effects on the inotropic and dromotropic functi on of the myocardium. Several reports have documented its use in adult patients for pharmacological control of blood pressure. We present ou r experience with the perioperative use of nicardipine in children to treat intraoperative hypertension, as an agent for controlled hypotens ion during spinal fusion and LeFort I maxillary osteotomies and to tre at postoperative hypertension. Dosing regimens and possible applicatio ns in paediatric anaesthesia are discussed.