CAPTOPRIL AND FRUSEMIDE IN SEVERE DRUG-RESISTANT HYPERTENSION

10 patients with severe refractory hypertension were treated with captopril and frusemide. All patients had uncontrolled blood pressure (mean arterial pressure >140 mm Hg), and 7 had developed accelerated hypertension despite maximum conventional treatment. Captopril and frusemide controlled blood pressure in all 10 patients, without side effects in 9. There was a significant rise in plasma-potassium in 9 patients (1 mmol/l), and hyperkalæmia (plasma-potassium >6 mmol/l) developed in 3 patients despite coincident treatment with frusemide.