Management of hypertension in selected acute conditions associated with an increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system

Abstract

The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in cardiovascular homeostasis by affecting the peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac output, renal function. Dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, manifested by chronic increased sympathetic activation, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and target organ damage. Sudden conditions of enhancement sympathetic activity, running with an immediate increase in arterial pressure, may pose a direct threat to life. The present work provides guidelines for the management of hypertension in some selected cases associated with an increased activity of the sympathetic — pheochromocytoma, sudden clonidine withdrawal, drug addiction, perioperative stress.