[The treatment of hypertensive crisis with nifedipine as the basis]

In 48 patients (p) with hypertensive crisis (HC) the effect of nifedipine (N) sublingual 10-20 mg alone (group I, n = 19, mean control AH +/- SD 232 +/- 15.3/132.5 +/- 4.9 mmHg) or associated with furosemide and clonidine (group II, n = 29, AT 249 +/- 21/131.8 +/- 13.6 mmHg). In both groups the AT fell significantly starting five minutes after the administration of N (except diastolic AT in group II); the values measured at 45 min. being 177 +/- 32/105.4 +/- 13 mmHg in group I and 164.6 +/- 44.4/100.1 +/- 16.3 mmHg in group II (the mean proportional difference at 45 min. for systolic AT was 24.6 +/- 11.4% in group I and 28.7 +/- 12.2% in group II; for diastolic AT 20.5 +/- 9.4% in group I, and 27 +/- 12.2% for group II). The good clinical results consisted of lowering of the AT values below critical levels and clinical improvement in 42 p (87.5%). Tolerance to N was good, in a single case was hypotension associated with fainting, both being promptly treated by simple means. CONCLUSIONS. 1. N administered sublingual, 10-20 mg, alone or associated with furosemide has in most patients a rapid hypotensive effect, lowering AT below critical limits within 45 min; 2. the drug is readily administered and without the risk of side effects and can be used in the field in the emergency treatment of hypertension.