[Comparative study of the use of nifedipine and captopril in hypertensive emergencies].

Forty patients with hypertensive crises, whose pressure levels had not satisfactorily decreased after intravenous furosemide 20 mg, were selected in the Emergency Ward. These patients were divided in two groups. The ones in group A received sublingual nifedipine 10 mg and the others in group B received oral captopril 50 mg. These drugs were repeated after 30 minutes to the maximum of three doses or until obtaining diastolic blood pressure less than 115 mmHg. Most patients (77.5%) had their blood pressure reduced to the proposed values after the first dose, and the remaining ones (22.5%) reacted to the therapy only after the administration of the subsequent doses. No side effects were observed. All patients were discharged from the emergency unit and were sent for follow-up in the outpatient service. The use of nifedipine and captopril has proved to be an effective treatment for hypertensive crises.