The Role of a Single Dose of Sublingual Nifedipine in Managing Hypertensive Emergencies in the Patients who Undergo Haemodialysis

Abstract

Introduction: The hypertensive emergencies in haemodialysis require immediate therapy, usually by parenteral drug administration; however, sublingual medications may have a potential in this special condition. Methods:A prospective, non randomized, case control study was carried out to know the effectiveness and the safety of a single dose of 5mg Nifedipine (sublingual) in this subset of patients. About 100 patients were studied, who were on maintained haemodialysis and were having high Blood Pressure (BP) during the haemodialysis. The patients were monitored for about 5 hours. Results:The patients who had chronic renal failure, who were maintained on regular haemodialysis, who had high systolic and diastolic blood pressure of >220 (systolic) and >125 (diastolic) respectively, were subjected to the study. These patients were of the 20-70 years age group, who visited our hospital between January 2010 to January 2011. Out of the 100 patients 30% were females and the rest (70%) were males. A single dose of nifedipine (5 mg by the sublingual route) was prescribed to determine its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies during haemodialysis.