Intravenous nicardipine for the treatment of severe hypertension. A dose-titration infusion to therapeutic response.

Intravenous nicardipine titration, starting with 10 mg/hr and increased slowly every 4 minutes by the rate 1 mg/hr until target supine DBP of 90 mmHg was achieved, was a very effective and safe method for patients with very severe hypertension. All patients had their BP under good control with few adverse effects. Although the heart rate rose significantly there were only four cases with palpitation and one case with chest pain which spontaneously recovered without sequele.