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Mechanistic Deep Dive
Cerebral Autoregulation
- Normal: maintains CBF over MAP 60-150
- HTN patients: shifted right to 80-180
- Acute drop below threshold â hypoperfusion
- Hence gradual lowering (25% in 1h, then 23h)
PRES (Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome)
- Vasogenic edema in posterior circulation
- Causes: HTN, eclampsia, immunosuppressants (calcineurin inh, chemotherapy), uremia
- Symptoms: HA, vision change, seizures, AMS
- MRI: T2/FLAIR hyperintensity, occipital + parietal
- Treatment: BP control, address cause, anti-seizure if needed
- Usually reversible in days-weeks
Recent Trials & Updates
INTERACT-2 (2013) + ATACH-II (2016)
- ICH BP target < 140 within 1-6h
- INTERACT-2: â disability (mRS shift), no mortality benefit
- ATACH-II: no benefit < 140 vs < 180; â renal complications in more intense
- Current: < 140 reasonable, individualized
ENCHANTED-2 / MT (2022-2023)
- BP after mechanical thrombectomy
- Lower BP (< 140) target may be harmful in successful recanalization
- Trade-off: â hemorrhage vs â ischemic stroke
- Current: < 180 if successful TICI 2c-3; < 140 if hemorrhagic transformation
Post-Thrombolysis BP Targets
- < 180/105 for 24h
- IV labetalol or nicardipine
- AHA 2024 update
Eclampsia Management Trends
- Magnesium > diazepam (Cochrane)
- IV labetalol vs hydralazine vs oral nifedipine â all reasonable
- Recurrent HTN â multidisciplinary
- Postpartum HTN can persist days-weeks
High-Yield Specialist Points
Aortic Dissection Management
- Type A (ascending): EMERGENCY cardiac surgery
- Type B (descending): medical first; TEVAR for complicated (rupture, malperfusion, refractory pain)
- IRAD registry: ~ 30% in-hospital mortality Type A
- HR control critical (esmolol, propranolol, labetalol)
- BP < 120 within minutes
- Vasodilator only AFTER β-blocker on board (avoid reflex tachy)
Spinal Cord Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Spinal injury T6 or above
- Stimulus below injury â unopposed sympathetic
- Severe HTN + bradycardia + sweating above injury
- Treatment: identify stimulus (bladder, bowel), nitrates, nifedipine, sit upright
Drug-Induced Crisis Management
- MAOI + tyramine: phentolamine, nicardipine; AVOID β-blocker
- Cocaine: BZD first, nitroglycerin, nicardipine
- Amphetamines: similar to cocaine
- Decongestants (pseudoephedrine): supportive, fluids
Differential of âSevere HTNâ Presentation
- True hypertensive crisis (above)
- Adrenal mass / pheo
- TTP/HUS
- Scleroderma renal crisis (ACEi response)
- Postoperative
- Pain / anxiety / volume overload
Pediatric Hypertensive Crisis (Brief)
- Causes: renal parenchymal, coarctation, secondary
- Agents: labetalol, nicardipine, esmolol, hydralazine
- Avoid abrupt reduction
- Refer pediatric nephrology
Pregnancy-Specific Pearls
- BP > 160/110 = severe â treat within 15-30 min
- IV labetalol 20 mg â 40 â 80 â 80 (max 220 cumulative)
- IV hydralazine 5-10 mg (slower onset)
- Oral nifedipine 10 mg
- Magnesium for eclampsia prophylaxis + treatment
- Delivery definitive
Long-Term Post-Crisis
- Identify and treat cause (secondary HTN, adherence, drugs)
- Optimize regimen with SPC
- F/U weekly initially, then monthly
- Recurrent crisis rate: 25% in 12 months if not addressed
- Cardiac and renal protection
Pearls
- Emergency = end-organ damage; urgency = no damage
- NO sublingual nifedipine for urgency
- IV vs oral: based on emergency (IV) vs urgency (oral)
- Aortic dissection = HR control FIRST (esmolol), then BP
- ICH = < 140 within 1-6h (INTERACT-2)
- AIS = permissive †220/120 unless thrombolysis (< 185/110)
- Pregnancy / eclampsia = labetalol/hydralazine/nifedipine + magnesium; NO ACEi/ARB
- Cocaine / pheo = phentolamine + nicardipine; NO β-blocker alone
- Cyanide toxicity = limit nitroprusside duration / dose