Title |
Labetalol infusion for refractory hypertension causing severe hypotension and bradycardia: an issue of patient safety
|
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Published in |
Patient Safety in Surgery, May 2008
|
DOI | 10.1186/1754-9493-2-13 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Samir Fahed, Daniel F Grum, Thomas J Papadimos |
Abstract |
Incremental doses of intravenous labetalol are safe and effective and, at times, such therapy may need to be augmented by a continuous infusion of labetalol to control severe hypertension. Continuous infusions of labetalol may exceed the recommended maximum daily dose of 300 mg on occasion. We report a case in which hypertension occurring after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, initially responsive to intermittent intravenous beta-blockade, became resistant to this therapy leading to the choice of an intravenous labetalol infusion as the therapeutic option. The labetalol infusion resulted in a profound cardiovascular compromise in this postoperative critically ill patient. While infusions of labetalol have successfully been used, prolonged administration in the intensive care unit requires vigilance and the establishment of a therapeutic rationale/policy for interventions, such as the ready availability of glucagon, beta-agonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, insulin, and vasopressin when severe cardiovascular depression occurs. |
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