Why SAH or aneurysm need midodrine HCL?

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patient also have nimodipine. Pt's BP was around 130/90. Pt also have antihypertensive.

Appreciate your answer.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

This sounds like a homework question.... what are your thoughts about what's going on here?

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Do you understand what both of those drugs are? And what is happening with an aneurysm and SAH? And what can potentially happen with these two issues?

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Aneurysm caused SAH.

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker but more to prevent vasospasm, which is narrowing of the blood vessel, which is an complication of SAH.

During vasospasm, not enough blood is supplied to the brain and a stroke may result. So midodrine, a vasopressor, an alpha agonist was given to elevated the BP.

Am I right?

i was thinking, patien has past medical history of hypertension. Her BP was high or it was her baseline, her BP was around the 130/90 mmHg for the past few days. So is it ok to give midodrine, will it go higher?

Appreciate questions from lovinglife.

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Yes, you are correct. People with aneurysm are often put on very tight BP parameters. We don't want it too high as it can make the bleed worse, but we need to keep those vessels open and prevent vasospasm.

Usually systolicly, we keep these patients in the 140-160 range.

Your thinking is very correct on this one. Good job!!!

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Specializes in GENERAL.

I'm sorry but we are not allowed to give medical advice on this site.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Nursing & Patient Medications forum.

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