Post carotid endarterectomy hypertension.

Blood pressure changes following carotid endarterectomy were studied in 39 patients undergoing 42 carotid endarterectomies, in order to establish the incidence of hypertension and to study the use of hydrallazine for its treatment. Hypertension occurred in 28 cases (66%) and was treated with intravenous hydralazine in a dose of 20 +/- 8 mg; this resulted in a systolic blood pressure fall of 46 +/- 22 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure fall of 24 +/- 12 mmHg, mean blood pressure fall of 31 +/- 15 mmHg, and a pulse rate increase of 7 +/- 9 beats per minute. Hydrallazine is a safe, effective drug for the treatment of intraoperative hypertension.