Adverse events associated with aggressive treatment of increased blood pressure

YANTURALI S., Akay S., Ayrik C., Cevik A.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, vol.58, no.5, pp.517-519, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 58 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1368-5031.2004.00171.x
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.517-519
  • Keywords: hypertension, ischaemic stroke, nifedipine, adverse event, SUBLINGUAL NIFEDIPINE, HYPOTENSION, EMERGENCIES, ISCHEMIA
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Patients with severely increased blood pressure often present to the emergency department. Rapid lowering of blood pressure can precipitate or worsen end organ damage. We report two cases that developed cerebrovascular and cardiovascular adverse events associated with aggressive treatment of increased blood pressure by the use of sublingual nifedipine capsule. The first patient had developed ischaemic stroke; the second patient actually had acute left ventricular failure causing deteriorated, and required positive inotropic treatment for persistent hypotension. These cases emphasise that the pseudoemergency may rapidly progress into a real emergency when blood pressure is rapidly and aggressively reduced.