Sodium nitroprusside

Structure of Sodium nitroprusside

• Sodium nitroprusside is a coordination complex containing a central iron atom bonded to five cyanide ligands and two nitrosyl groups.

• Chemical Formula: Na₂[Fe(CN)₅NO]

Structure of Sodium nitroprusside

Mode of Action

• Nitric Oxide Release: Sodium nitroprusside releases nitric oxide (NO) upon metabolism.

• Vasodilation: NO activates guanylate cyclase, increasing cyclic GMP levels and causing smooth muscle relaxation.

• Rapid Action: Provides immediate vasodilation, reducing both preload and afterload.

Uses

1. Hypertensive Emergencies: Rapidly lowers blood pressure in acute hypertensive crises.

2. Controlled Hypotension: Induced during surgical procedures to reduce bleeding.

3. Heart Failure: Manages acute decompensated heart failure by reducing vascular resistance.

4. Aortic Dissection: Lowers blood pressure and reduces shear stress on the aortic wall.