[Severe and malignant arterial hypertension: the optimal treatment]

54 patients were treated with a combination of capoten and diuretics for 40 to 250 days. Some patients had been subjected to the "nitroprusside test" prior to medication. The relation between the clinical state, the perilimbal and eye fundus microcirculation and degree of BP decrease were studied using fluorescent angiography. An adequate (for this group of patients) effect was observed when blood pressure decreased by 25-30% as compared to the initial level. For this capoten, up to 150 mg per day, is sufficient. However, when the BP during the "nitroprusside test" and capoten "overdosage" fell by 35-40% or more as compared to the basal level, undesirable changes were observed. The angioarchitecture deteriorated considerably due to a significant increase in the number of non-perfused vessels and vast ischemic zones as compared to the initial state.