LA NIFEDIPINE EN TANT QU'ANTIHYPERTENSEUR VASODILATATEUR D'EFFET RAPIDE

Calcium channel blockers, and specifically nifedipine, may be regarded as an additional tool in the management of hypertensive emergencies. Advantages of nifedipine, as compared to other drugs currently used in such emergencies include almost immediate onset and persistent duration of action, in frequent occurrence of side effects, increased cardiac output, ease of administration, efficacy in different types of hypertensive emergencies. In high blood pressure complicated by intracranial bleeding, the benefit of pressure reduction should be balanced against the risks specifically related to reduced smooth muscle vascular tone and contractility due to Ca blockade. If further clinical experience supports our observations, nifedipine or, more generally, calcium channel blocking agents, will find a place in the management of paroxysmal or persistent hypertension due to pheochromocytoma during preparation of the patient for surgical removal of the tumor in cases of malignant metastasizing tumor.