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A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
06:59

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

Management of hypertensive emergency and urgency

Derek M Polly1, Christopher A Paciullo, Chad J Hatfield

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. derek.polly@emoryhealthcare.org

Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal
|May 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Severe hypertension, or hypertensive crisis, requires prompt emergency department evaluation. Management of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies differs based on target organ damage, impacting treatment speed and medication choice.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Severe hypertension is common in emergency departments, historically termed hypertensive crisis.
  • Hypertensive crises are classified as emergencies (with target organ damage) or urgencies (without).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of hypertensive crises.
  • To outline the distinct management strategies for hypertensive emergencies and urgencies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and clinical guidelines on hypertensive crises.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria differentiating hypertensive emergencies from urgencies.
  • Comparison of treatment protocols, including medication types and speed of blood pressure reduction.

Main Results:

  • Hypertensive emergencies necessitate immediate intravenous antihypertensive treatment.
  • Hypertensive urgencies can be managed with oral antihypertensives over 24-48 hours.
  • Distinguishing between emergencies and urgencies is crucial for appropriate and timely care.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate identification and evaluation of hypertensive crises in the ED are vital.
  • Differentiated management prevents target organ damage progression and mortality.
  • Understanding these distinctions optimizes patient outcomes in emergency settings.

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