Hypertensive Encephalopathy

Introduction

also see encephalopathy, hypertensive crisis

Pathology

• malignant hypertension
  • blood pressure > 180/120 mm Hg associated with end-organ damage

Clinical manifestations

• confusion
• headache
• vision changes

Radiology

• CT neuroimaging to exclude stroke & intracranial hemorrhage

Management

• decrease blood pressure by 15% or target diastolic BP 100-110 mm Hg
• 1st line agents
  • nicardipine
  • labetolol
  • nitroprusside*

* risk of cyanide toxicity

More general terms

• hypertensive crisis (malignant hypertension)
• encephalopathy

Additional terms

• hypertension (HTN, high blood pressure, HBP)