ABSTRACT
Dr. Borer (Moderator): It is important to define the terms ‘‘hypertensive emergency’’ and ‘‘hypertensive urgency.’’
Dr. Fenichel: In the U.S., off-label use of immediate-release nifedipine for hypertensive urgencies and emergencies is not infrequent. By hypertensive emergencies we mean evidence of on-going organ damage from uncontrolled or inadequately controlled high blood pressure. Such evidence includes depression of the normal state of consciousness, negative alteration in renal function, chest pain, papilledema, or some other abnormality indicating that critical end organs are jeopardized. To meet this definition, no specific cut point in blood pressure need be achieved, so long as blood pressure is abnormal: hypertension-induced organ injury or imminent threat of organ injury would suffice.
