Key result
Nicardipine as initial antihypertensive therapy in neonates and infants after cardiac surgery had a similar need for a second agent as sodium nitroprusside (15% vs 19%, P=.66) but lower costs.
Why the study?
Nicardipine use in congenital cardiac surgery has been guarded due to calcium sensitivity of immature myocardium and sparse clinical data, particularly in neonates with single ventricles.
Does nicardipine provide safe, effective, and cost-effective postoperative blood pressure control compared to sodium nitroprusside in neonates and young infants undergoing cardiac surgery?
Observational (n=59)
Does nicardipine provide safe, effective, and cost-effective postoperative blood pressure control compared to sodium nitroprusside in neonates and young infants undergoing cardiac surgery?
Absolute Event Rate: 15% vs 19%
p-value: p=.66
Nicardipine is a safe, effective, and cost-saving alternative to sodium nitroprusside for postoperative blood pressure control in neonates and young infants undergoing cardiac surgery.
May lower costs with similar need for second-line therapy in postoperative neonates; leaves open confirmation in randomized studies.
Objective The use of nicardipine in congenital cardiac surgery has been guarded given the calcium sensitivity of immature myocardium and paucity of clinical data. Reports of nicardipine use have excluded neonates with single ventricles. The goal of this study was to compare the use of nicardipine and sodium nitroprusside for postoperative blood pressure control in young patients recovering from cardiac surgery. Methods All neonates (<30 days) and young infants (31-180 days) who received either sodium nitroprusside or nicardipine as first-line therapy for blood pressure control were retrospectively reviewed. Some patients had multiple index operations and each index operation was counted separately regarding treatment with sodium nitroprusside or nicardipine. Results A total of 59 patients underwent 70 procedures (24 as neonates and 46 as infants). Nicardipine was administered as initial therapy following 33 procedures (n = 28 patients), and sodium nitroprusside was administered as initial therapy following 37 index procedures (n = 31 patients). The duration of treatment was longer ( P = .025) when sodium nitroprusside was the initial treatment. Five (15%) patients that received nicardipine required a second blood pressure management agent, and seven (19%) patients that received sodium nitroprusside required a second agent ( P = .66). No adverse events related to titratable antihypertensive therapy were recorded in any treatment group. The use of nicardipine resulted in significant medication cost reduction. Based on average wholesale price, patient costs for sodium nitroprusside use were $182,952 ($5,544/pt), while costs for nicardipine were only $24,960 ($780/pt). Conclusions Nicardipine can be safely used as a first-line antihypertensive in infants. The use of nicardipine as initial antihypertensive therapy rather than sodium nitroprusside can lead to a significant reduction in medication costs without jeopardizing clinical outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lushaj et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Postoperative blood pressure control following cardiac surgery (n=59). Nicardipine vs. Sodium nitroprusside was evaluated on Requirement of a second blood pressure management agent (p=.66). Nicardipine as initial antihypertensive therapy in neonates and infants after cardiac surgery had a similar need for a second agent as sodium nitroprusside (15% vs 19%, P=.66) but lower costs.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: