Intravenous nicardipine in hypertensive preterm infants.
Eight preterm infants were given intravenous nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, to treat systemic hypertension (renal artery thrombosis (n = 3); dexamethasone for management of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 2); unexplained (n = 3). Nicardipine doses ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 micrograms/kg/min and were given for three to 36 days (mean (SD) 15.9 (10.3) days). Systolic blood pressure had significantly decreased after 12 and 24 hours of nicardipine treatment (-17 (17)% and -21 (10)%, respectively). Diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 24 hours of treatment (-22 +/- 16%). The decrease in blood pressure remained significant over the subsequent days of treatment. No hypotension or other clinical side effects were observed. It is concluded that intravenous nicardipine could be a first line treatment for hypertension in preterm infants.
Gouyon
J B
JB
Service de Pédiatrie 2, Hôpital d'Enfants, Dijon, France.
Geneste
B
B
Semama
D S
DS
Françoise
M
M
Germain
J F
JF
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009529:Nicardipine