Antihypertensive effect of intravenous administration of nicardipine hydrochloride in patients with severe hypertension during hemodialysis

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of nicardipine hydrochloride in the treatment of severe hypertension during hemodialysis, nicardipine hydrochloride was administered to six patients with hypertension that could not be controlled by conventional antihypertensive drugs such as sublingually administered nifedipine.
Systemic blood pressure significantly decreased from 216.2±17.2mmHg to 152.5±26.2mmHg at one hour after the administration was started (p<0.05). During dialysis, adequately controlled arterial pressure persisted without serious complications. There were no side effects except for a headache in one patient.
We conclude that continuous intravenuous administration of nicardipine hydrochloride may be useful in treating otherwise unresponsive hypertension during hemodialysis.