[Saralasin in resistant hypertensive crisis (author's transl)]

4 patients with hypertensive crisis (glomerulonephritis [n = 2], phaeochromocytoma [n = 1], reno-vascular hypertension [n = 1] combined with encephalopathy, showed a normalisation of blood-pressure up to 18 days during angiotensin-II-blockade with saralasin. Prior, blood pressure was treated insufficiently by intravenous diazoxide and Na-nitroprusside. Increased plasma-renin-activity and plasma levels of catecholamines pointed to an activation of the renin-angiotensin- and sympathico-adrenergic system. A trial of therapy with saralasin--especially, if blood-pressure response to diazoxide and sodium-nitroprusside is insufficient--could be indicated. Side-effects like pressor-reactions are excluded by very low priming doses (0,1 microgram/kg/min); rebound-hypertension at the end of the therapy is avoided by an overlapping therapy with renin suppressing drugs (beta-receptor blockers, clonidine, guanfacinum).