A compendium for the treatment of hypertensive emergencies

ABSTRACT

A decline in the prevalence of accelerated hypertension and hypertensive emergencies has been due, in part, to increased awareness, improved detection, and more aggressive therapy. Yet, such emergencies continue to present a challenge to the emergency-room and primary-care physician. This compendium reviews the agents currently available for parenteral administration to manage the hypertensive emergency. Those conditions most commonly associated with such emergencies and a plan for initial management are also presented. The indications, advantages, and disadvantages of each agent, as well as dosage recommendations and available preparations, are considered. The management of urgent hypertension with selected orally administered drugs is also discussed.