Open AccessAdverse events associated with aggressive treatment of increased blood pressure
Author(s) -
Yanturali S.,
Akay S.,
Ayrik C.,
Cevik A.A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1368-5031.2004.00171.x
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , adverse effect , nifedipine , stroke (engine) , emergency department , inotrope , anesthesia , hypertensive emergency , cardiology , intensive care medicine , surgery , mechanical engineering , psychiatry , engineering , calcium
Summary 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.