Hypertensive crisis.

Although uncommon, hypertensive crisis must be recognized properly and quickly so that immediate treatment can be instituted to prevent serious and irreversible complications. It is important to bear in mind that it is not necessarily the absolute level of hypertension that signals impending danger but the function of an affected target organ such as the heart or kidneys that allows the physician to make the diagnosis of hypertensive crisis. There are a variety of potent antihypertensive drugs that can lower the blood pressure promptly, but the choice must be based on careful clinical and hemodynamic assessment of the patient. The goal is to lower the blood pressure and to stabilize or improve the target organ function without causing underperfusion.