Hypertensive emergencies

Beginning with the definitions, this chapter will explore the pertinent information about Hypertensive Emergencies and Urgencies for the Pediatric Critical Care Physician. It provides an in depth review of the reliable ways to measure blood pressure in the PICU. Once sure of the blood pressure reading, the reader is then taught the normal renal, endothelial and cerebral controls over systemic blood pressure as a way to understand the pathophysiology behind hypertension. The most common pediatric etiologies and appropriate diagnostic testing are then outlined in the context of the clinical presentations of hypertensive emergency. Lastly, the medications used in hypertensive emergency are then presented by class and a table of available continuous infusions provides an easy reference guide for the critical care physician.