EFFECT OF FELODIPINE ON RENAL-FUNCTION AND VASOACTIVE HORMONES IN INFRARENAL AORTIC-SURGERY

We have examined the possible renoprotective effect of felodipine 5 mg orally, given daily for 5 days before operation, in 29 patients under going elective infrarenal aortic surgery in a randomized, blinded and placebo-controlled study. Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), glomerul ar filtration rate (GFR), urine output, fractional sodium clearance an d plasma concentrations of angiotensin II, aldosterone, arginine vasop ressin and atrial natriuretic peptide did not differ between the felod ipine and placebo groups. ERPF and GFR were not reduced after operatio n in the placebo group. In the felodipine group, GFR was higher 24 h a fter operation compared with before operation. We conclude that increa sed GFR in the felodipine group, measured 24 h after operation, may in dicate a beneficial effect of felodipine but in the present context th is was not clinically important. Felodipine had no significant effect on vasoactive hormones.