Acute Severe Hypertension Often Poorly Managed

Dr. Granger replied that while it's true ASH is more common in low-income patients having relatively few resources, that's only part of the story. Chronically overtaxed emergency departments are a bigger factor, in his view.

“I think the problem relates largely to the fact that in the [United States]—and this may be an issue worldwide as well—the emergency departments where acute severe hypertension is largely being managed are really overburdened and unable to deal with the issues of longer-term care, follow-up, and prevention of recurrences,” Dr. Granger observed.

Both the STAT registry and ECLIPSE were funded by the Medicines Company. Dr. Granger has received research grants and served as a paid consultant to the company.

ASH is a life-threatening condition, yet 65% of patients had no documentation of a follow-up appointment. DR. GRANGER