From the Guidelines
Vasodilation refers to the widening of blood vessels, which can be achieved through various medical interventions, including the use of intra-arterial vasodilators such as nimodipine or other agents to treat conditions like vasospasm.
Key Points
- Vasodilation is a therapeutic approach used to manage conditions like vasospasm, which can occur in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage 1.
- Intra-arterial vasodilators can be used to achieve vasodilation, with options including nimodipine, although its availability may vary by geographic region 1.
- The administration of vasodilators requires careful consideration of potential side effects, including systemic hypotension and elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) 1.
- The choice of vasodilator, dosage, and treatment duration can vary, and there is a need for high-quality studies to compare these factors and their impact on patient outcomes 1.
- Procedural techniques, such as infusion through a cervical catheter or intracranial microcatheter placement, can be used to administer vasodilators, with intermittent therapy often favored over continuous infusion to balance efficacy and complication risk 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Amlodipine is a peripheral arterial vasodilator that acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and reduction in blood pressure Following administration of therapeutic doses to patients with hypertension, amlodipine produces vasodilation resulting in a reduction of supine and standing blood pressures
Vasodilation is the process by which amlodipine acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and reduction in blood pressure, resulting in a reduction of supine and standing blood pressures 2.
- It is a mechanism by which the drug reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
- The effect of vasodilation is to decrease the total peripheral resistance against which the heart works.
From the Research
Definition of Vasodilation
Vasodilation refers to the widening of blood vessels, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure.
Mechanisms of Vasodilation
- Vasodilation can be achieved through various mechanisms, including the use of certain medications such as calcium channel blockers 3, which can dilate the peripheral vasculature.
- ACE inhibitors can also contribute to vasodilation by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, and by preventing the breakdown of bradykinin, a vasodilator 4.
- The local vascular effects of ACE inhibitors and calcium antagonists are complementary, with calcium antagonists inhibiting the effects of vasoconstrictor hormones at the level of vascular smooth muscle, reducing calcium inflow, and facilitating the vasodilator effects of nitric oxide 4.
Examples of Vasodilation
- Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can act by vasodilating the peripheral vasculature 3.
- ACE inhibitors can inhibit the activation of angiotensin I into angiotensin II, preventing the breakdown of bradykinin, which stimulates nitric oxide and prostacyclin formation, leading to vasodilation 4.
Related Concepts
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can be treated with various medications, including calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers 5, 3, 6.
- The renin-angiotensin system plays a crucial role in blood pressure control and is involved in the metabolism of glucose, homeostasis, and balance of electrolytes in the body 6.