Table 2 Principal causes of acute systemic arterial hypertension in critically ill patients
From: Control of hypertension in the critically ill: a pathophysiological approach
| Organ system | Cause |
|---|---|
| Decompensated essential (primary) hypertension Secondary causes | Discontinuation of antihypertensive drugs |
| Central Nervous System | Pain |
| Anxiety and stress | |
| Delirium | |
| Withdrawal syndromes | |
| Intracranial hypertension | |
| Renal system | Urinary retention |
| Renal failure | |
| Hypervolemia | |
| Respiratory system | Respiratory distress – Hypoxemia, hypercapnia |
| Metabolic | Hypoglycemia |
| Steroid administration | |
| Pheochromocytoma | |
| Cushing syndrome | |
| Intoxication, substance abuse and overdose (cocaine, phencyclidine, amphetamines) |