Hypertensive Emergency: Parenteral Antihypertensives and Population Data.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Review parenteral therapeutic choices in treatment of hypertensive crises by mechanism of action and summarize recent literature on the management of hypertensive crises.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent data have documented the safety and efficacy of labetalol and nicardipine in treatment of hypertensive crises as well as characterized the hypertensive emergency population to a much greater extent. Based on recent data, hypertensive emergencies are seen in 0.5% of all emergency room visits. Ischemic stroke and heart failure/pulmonary edema are the most common forms of organ damage seen in hypertensive emergencies. There are many therapeutic choices in treatment of hypertensive crises with varied mechanisms of action. Large randomized, controlled trial evidence is lacking in this therapeutic area; however, recent data have documented the safety and efficacy of labetalol and nicardipine.