The Comparison of Antihypertensive Effects among Hydralazine, Clonidine and Nifedipine in Hypertensive Emergency

ABSTRACT

If hypertensive emergencies are left untreated, multiple damages on heart, brain and kindney can develop. So rapid control of blood pressure within safty with effective antihypertensive agents is mandatory. For the comparison of antihypertensive effects among hydralazine (IV or IM), clonidine (IV), and nifedipine (sublingual) in hypertensive emergency, which were frequently used in our hospital, we performed propective study with hypertensive emergency patients(243 cases) who visited emergency room from Oct. 1986 until Aug. 1987. The results are as follows ; 1) For 58 patients who recieved hydralazine (IV or IM), initial mean arterial blood pressure(MAP) was 167.2+/-21.5mmHg and 15 minutes later 138.9+/-24.4mmHg, 45 minutes later 141.7+/-21.1mmHg, 90 minutes later, 133.9+/-26.6mmHg and, respectively. For 55patients who recived clonidine(IV), initial MAP was 164+/-21.9mmHg and 15minytes later 137.4+/-18.9mmHg, 45 minutes later 127.5+/-34.9mmHg, respectively. For 130 patients who recived nifedipine(sublingual), initial MAP was 159.8+/-21.4mmHg and 15 minutes later 143.0+/-22.8mmHg, 45 minutes later 127.5+/-21.1mmHg, 90 minutes later 119.3+/-20.0mmHg, respectibely. 2) Pulse rate showed 12.9% increase afer administration of hydralazine, 15.8% decrease in clonidine, 5.6% increase in nifedipine, respectively. 3)Severe reduction of blood pressure(systolic BP<130mmHG) after administration of following antihypertensive agents was found. i.e., hydralazine 5.2%, clonidine 1.8%, nifedipine 1.5%, respectively. 4) In 4 cases(6.9%) out of the 58 cases using hydralazine, 3 cases(5.5%) out of the 55 cases using clonidine, 9 cases(6.9%) out of the 130 cases using nifedipine, acute paradoxic hyertensive effects were observed.