Hypertensive Emergency (IV)
Background
| Hypertensive emergency - definition: Severe hypertension that is associated with acute end-organ damage. Examples include malignant hypertension, with or without hypertensive encephalopathy, subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage, acute pulmonary edema, aortic dissection, and rebound after withdrawal of antihypertensive medications. Immediate but careful reduction in blood pressure is indicated in these settings. However, an excessive hypotensive response is potentially dangerous, possibly leading to ischemic complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction or blindness in some cases. Thus, in patients who are severely hypertensive but asymptomatic, slower reductions in blood pressure should be provided with oral agents. Source: UpToDate ® |
Enalaprilat - vasotec ®
| ACE-inhibitor with a rapid onset of action and long duration of action. Dosing (Adult): Initial dose 1.25 mg IV push (over 2 to 5 minutes) q6h. May increase up to 5 mg q6h. Reduce dose in azotemic patients. Contraindicated in renal artery stenosis. Onset/duration: Within 15 to 30 minutes/12-24 hr. Note: peak effect may not be seen for four hours. |
Esmolol - brevibloc ®
| Beta-1 selective blocker. Rapidly metabolized by blood esterases (short half-life ~ 9 minutes) and total duration of action ~ 30 minutes. Its effects begin almost immediately. Dosing (Adult): 500 mcg/kg IV bolus over 1 minute, and start infusion at 50 - 100 mcg/kg/min => repeat bolus dose of 500 mcg/kg if no effect within 5 minutes and increase dose by 50 mcg/kg/min. Repeat cycle every 5 minutes until maximum infusion dose of 300 mcg/kg/min. Contraindicated in cocaine toxicity (if used alone) and LVF and COPD/asthma and high-grade heart block. Causes phlebothrombophlebitis - use large vein's. Causes local necrosis if extravasation occurs. Onset/duration:1-5 min/15-30 min. |
Fenoldopam mesylate - corlopam ®
| Fenoldopam is a rapid-acting vasodilator. It is an agonist for D1-like dopamine receptors and binds with moderate affinity to α2-adrenoceptors. Fenoldopam: effective as nitroprusside, however, it has the advantages of increasing renal blood flow (6 times as potent as dopamine in producing renal vasodilitation) and sodium excretion, of not being associated with the accumulation of toxic metabolites, and not requiring shielding from light. Fenoldopam can be safely used in all hypertensive emergencies, and may be particularly beneficial in patients with renal insufficiency.
Dosing (Adult): After a starting dose of 0.1 to 0.3 mcg/kg/minute, the dose is titrated at 15 minute intervals, depending on the BP response. May be increased in increments of 0.05 to 0.1 mcg/kg/minute every 15 minutes until target blood pressure is reached. Maximal infusion rate reported in clinical studies: 1.6 mcg/kg/minute. Onset/duration: 5-10 minutes/~ 1 hour. Supplied: Injection (soln): 10 mg/mLl(1 ml, 2 ml) |
Hydralazine - apresoline ®
| Direct arteriolar vasodilator with little or no effect on the venous circulation. Precautions are needed in patients with underlying coronary disease or an aortic dissection. Beta-blocker should be given concurrently to minimize reflex sympathetic stimulation. The hypotensive response to hydralazine is less predictable than that seen with other parenteral agents.
Dosing (Adult): Initial (Acute hypertension): 10 mg slow IV bolus (maximum dose being 20 mg) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. May increase to 40 mg/dose (generally speaking - do not exceed 20mg/dose). Change to oral therapy as soon as possible. The fall in blood pressure begins within 10 to 30 minutes and lasts 2 to 4 hours. May also be given IM. Supplied: Injection (soln): 20 mg/ml (1 ml vial). Tablet: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg. |
Labetalol - trandate ®
| Combined beta-adrenergic (B1 and B2) and alpha-adrenergic blocker. Its rapid onset of action (~ 5 minutes) makes it the only beta-blocker that is useful in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies. Safe in patients with active coronary disease, since it does not increase the heart rate. Labetalol should generally be avoided in patients with asthma, COPD, CHF, bradycardia, or greater than first-degree heart block. Causes marked orthostatic effects.
Dosing (Adult): can be given as an IV bolus or infusion. The bolus dose is 20 mg initially (over 2 min), followed by 20 to 80 mg every 10 minutes to a total dose of 300 mg. The infusion rate is 0.5 to 2 mg/min. Onset/duration: 5-10 min/2-6 hr. Peak effect in 30 minutes. Hypertension (Oral): Initial: 100 mg twice daily - may increase as needed every 2-3 days by 100 mg until desired response is obtained. Usual dose: 200-400 mg twice daily - not to exceed 2.4 grams/day. Supplied: Injection (soln): 5 mg/ml: (4 ml, 20 ml, 40 ml). Tablet: 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg. |
Nicardipine - cardene ®
| Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Advantages: Does not depress LV function; does not adversely increase ICP (acceptable choice in stroke patients). Major limitation: longer half-life, which precludes rapid titration. Contraindicated in heart block, recent AMI, and renal failure.
Dosing (Adults): Preparation: Dilute to 0.1 mg/ml (25 mg in D5W 250 ml). (Other indications): Supplied: Injection (soln): 2.5 mg/ml (10 ml). Capsule (IR): 20 mg, 30 mg. Capsule (SR): 30 mg, 45 mg, 60 mg |
Nitroglycerin
| Primarily a venous dilator (lesser degree - arteriolar dilator). It may be most useful in patients with symptomatic coronary disease and in those with hypertension following coronary bypass. Drug of choice for hypertensive emergencies with coronary ischemia. It should not be used with hypertensive encephalopathy because it increases ICP. Tolerance may occur within 24-48 hours. Nitrate-free interval (10-12 hours/day) is recommended to avoid tolerance development.
Dosing (Adults): (IV): Initial dose: 5 mcg/min IV infusion. Increase by 5 mcg/minute every 3-5 minutes to 20 mcg/minute. If no response at 20 mcg/minute increase by 10 mcg/minute every 3-5 minutes, up to a maximum of 200 mcg/minute. Angina/coronary artery disease: Supplied: Capsule (ER): 2.5 mg, 6.5 mg, 9 mg. Injection (Soln): 5 mg/ml (5 ml, 10 ml). Ointment: 2% (1 g, 30 g, 60 g). Sublingual tablet: 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, 0.6 mg. Patch (Transdermal ): 0.1 mg/hour; 0.2 mg/hour; 0.4 mg/hour; 0.6 mg/hour. |
Sodium nitroprusside- nipride ®
| Arteriolar and venous dilator. Considered to be the most effective parenteral drug for most hypertensive emergencies (except myocardial ischemia or renal impairment). It dilates both arteries and veins, and it reduces afterload and preload. Onset: within seconds. Duration: 2-3 minutes. Constant monitoring of the blood pressure is required. Alternatives to nitroprusside include intravenous labetalol, nicardipine, and fenoldopam. Hypotension is uncommon with these drugs and cyanide toxicity is not an issue. Dosing (Adults): Initial: 0.3-0.5 mcg/kg/minute. Increase in increments of 0.5 mcg/kg/minute -- titrating to the desired hemodynamic effect or the appearance of headache or nausea. Usual dose: 3 mcg/kg/minute (rarely need >4 mcg/kg/minute). Maximum: 10 mcg/kg/minute. Supplied: Injection (Soln): 25 mg/ml - 2 ml (vial). |
Reference(s)
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed Database.
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