Newer Drugs in the Treatment of Hypertension

Sixty-one patients exhibiting severe hypertensive vascular disease were treated with hexamethonium in combination with hydralazine for periods up to 22 months. Results, in terms of blood pressure control, were considerably better with combined therapy than with hexamethonium alone regardless of whether hydralazine was added to hexamethonium initially or later. Improvement in retinopathy and in the electrocardiogram was noted. The malignant phase of hypertensive disease was reversed in eight of nine instances. Late systemic reactions to hydralazine occurred in seven patients. One death, attributed to possible hexamethonium poisoning, was observed. Hexamethonium-hydralazine therapy represents a potent combination of drugs for the treatment of severe hypertensive vascular disease.