Paediatric anaesthesia
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Nicardipine is the first intravenously administered dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Its primary physiological actions include vasodilatation with limited effects on the inotropic and dromotropic function of the myocardium. ⋯ We present our experience with the perioperative use of nicardipine in children to treat intraoperative hypertension, as an agent for controlled hypotension during spinal fusion and LeFort I maxillary osteotomies and to treat postoperative hypertension. Dosing regimens and possible applications in paediatric anaesthesia are discussed.