Urapidil therapy for acute hypertensive crises in infants and children

In 19 infants and children with acute and severe hypertension following a cardiovascular operation urapidil infusion was started for treatment of the hypertensive crisis. In all patients blood pressure was effectively reduced within 15 min. The drop in systemic blood pressure was combined with a reduction of central venous pressure. Heart rate and urine volume remained unaltered. Serum electrolytes after 12-24 h therapy showed a slight but significant decrease in serum sodium and an increase in serum potassium concentration. In one case urapidil treatment had to be interrupted because of hypotension. In this case the urapidil therapy was tolerated later in lower doses. Serious side effects were not observed. In our experience urapidil can be recommended for the treatment of hypertensive crises in children.