SEVERE METABOLIC ACIDOSIS FOLLOWING HYPOTENSION INDUCED WITH SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE

Abstract

Sodium nitroprusside has been considered to have few side effects when used to produce hypotension in anaesthesia. We report here a patient who developed a severe metabolic acidosis following its use. This complication has also been reported in baboons. As sodium nitroprusside has been used on over 600 occasions in our hospital, experience suggests this complication to be an infrequent occurrence. Nevertheless, should a metabolic acidosis be suspected during the use of sodium nitroprusside, blood-gas measurements should be made.