Transcript Case

Case
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60 F with PMH HTN, DM, CVA presented to
UNC ED CC: seizure. Per the daughter the pt
was walking and all of a sudden fell and her
whole body started shaking. No bladder or
bowel incontinence. Post-ictal in the
ambulance. Vitals HR 84 BP 260/180 RR14
100% RA
- BP meds Metoprolol 150 mg daily
Amlodipine 10 mg daily
What is the diagnosis?
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A. Primary Seizure Disorder
B. Stroke
C. Hypertensive Urgency
D. Hypertensive Emergency
Doctor? Doctor?
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A. Head CT
B. 12 Lead EKG
C. CXR
D. IV Labetalol Drip
E. Place an arterial line
F. Chemistry, UA
G. Cardiac Biomarkers
Hypertensive Emergency
Intern Conference
September 2009
Urgency vs. Emergency
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Urgency
Any situation in which a rapid decrease in BP is required to
limit end-organ damage.
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Emergency
Elevated blood pressure with evidence of end organ damage
Causes
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Malignant Hypertension
Aortic dissection
Acute MI
Acute glomerulonephritis
Scleroderma renal crisis
Pheochromocytoma
Cocaine
Eclampsia
End Organ Damage
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Unstable angina
Acute myocardial infarction
Encephalopathy
Acute Retinopathy
Nephropathy
LV failure
Dissecting aneurysm
Major Clinical Manifestations
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Retinal hemorrhages and exudates
Major Clinical Manifestations
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Papilledema
Major Clinical Manifestations
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Malignant nephrosclerosis, leading to acute
renal failure, hematuria, and proteinuria
Major Clinical Manifestations
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Neurologic symptoms due to intracerebral or subarachnoid bleeding,
lacunar infarcts, or hypertensive encephalopathy
 PRES (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy
Acutely hypertensive
1 month later normotensive
Management of hypertensive
encephalopathy
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The initial aim of treatment in hypertensive
emergency is to rapidly lower the diastolic
pressure to about 100 to 105 mmHg; this goal
should be achieved within two to six hours,
with the maximum initial fall in BP not
exceeding 25 percent of the presenting value
Drugs
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Nitroprusside — an arteriolar and venous dilator, given as an intravenous
infusion. Initial dose: 0.25 to 0.5 µg/kg per min; maximum dose: 8 to 10
µg/kg per min. Nitroprusside acts within seconds and has a duration of
action of only two to five minutes.
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Concern for what???
 Cyanide toxicity with prolonged use and renal failure
Nicardipine — an arteriolar dilator, given as an intravenous infusion. Initial
dose: 5 mg/h; maximum dose: 15 mg/h.
Labetalol — an alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocker, given as an intravenous
bolus or infusion. Bolus: 20 mg initially, followed by 20 to 80 mg every 10
minutes to a total dose of 300 mg. Infusion: 0.5 to 2 mg/min.
Fenoldopam — a peripheral dopamine-1 receptor agonist, given as an
intravenous infusion. Initial dose: 0.1 µg/kg per min; the dose is titrated at
15 min intervals, depending upon the blood pressure response
Oral Therapy
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Once BP is controlled transition the patient to
oral therapy
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Start orals while drip is still going and allow nurse
to wean the drip based on the MAP
Be careful not to overshoot and cause hypotension
Prognosis
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Even with adequate antihypertensive therapy
most patients still have moderate to severe
vascular damage occurring
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At higher risk for coronary, cerebrovascular and
renal disease
Case
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Head CT to evaluate for edema
MRI to evaluate for stroke
Every hypertensive emergency deserves an
examination of renal artery stenosis via
dopplers or MRA
Take Home Points
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In hypertensive emergency, control the
diastolic blood pressure within the first two to
six hours with IV drip and with an arterial line
in stepdown or ICU
Perform a fundoscopic exam upon admission
Transition to oral therapy once goal is
achieved
Diastolic BP should be reduced to 85-90 over
two to three months.