PHARMACOLOGICAL DRUGS FOR CONTROLLED HYPOTENSION

Due to the risks of transfusion reactions and the transmission of infe ctious diseases, there has been increased interest in measures to limi t intraoperative blood loss and avoid the need for homologous transfus ion. Controlled hypotension is one technique that has been used to lim it intraoperative blood loss. Several drugs have been used alone or in combination for controlled hypotension, including the inhalational an esthetics, direct acting vasodilators such as nitroglycerin and nitrop russide, beta adrenergic antagonists, and calcium channel blockers. Va rious drugs available to the clinician for controlled hypotension are reviewed.