Non-enteral therapy for hypertension in the inpatient setting

Chronic hypertension requiring treatment with regularly administered oral medications is the most common cardiovascular disease among adults. When patients with hypertension suffer an illness which requires hospitalization and precludes normal oral drug intake, blood pressure may rise sufficiently to require alternative treatments. Consequences of the acute illnesses themselves and their treatments may also elevate blood pressure and further complicate antihypertensive management. The optimal medical regimen to control blood pressure under these circumstances depends upon a number of variables, including co-morbid conditions, concurrently administered drugs, and the overall clinical stability of the patient. This paper reviews issues related to hypertension in the hospitalized patient unable to take oral medications and summarizes antihypertensive treatment options based on clinical and pharmacological considerations.