Clinicians make frequent treatment decisions regarding acute blood pressure reduction for the critically ill. Key to the decision making process is a balance between reducing arterial wall stress and maintaining perfusion to vital organs. In this article, we review the physiological considerations underlying acute blood pressure management, including the concept of cerebral autoregulation and its adaptations to chronic hypertension. We then discuss available pharmacological interventions suited for reducing blood pressure acutely. We also discuss specific blood pressure targets in common critical illnesses and consider future directions in this therapeutic area.
Keywords: Antihypertensive; Blood pressure; Hypertension; Hypertensive emergencies.