Which description best characterizes malignant hypertension due to ephedrine?

Which description best characterizes malignant hypertension due to ephedrine?

• A. Rapid onset with modest BP elevation
• B. Gradual BP rise over hours
• C. Hypertensive crisis with low systolic BP
• D. Sudden, severe BP rise with systolic around 220 and risk of stroke or MI

Answer: (D)

Malignant hypertension here is a hypertensive emergency caused by a potent sympathomimetic like ephedrine, which can produce an abrupt, extreme rise in blood pressure with a high risk of end-organ damage. Ephedrine stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors causing rapid vasoconstriction and also boosts heart rate and contractility through beta effects, pushing the systolic pressure to very high levels (often around 220 mmHg). That sudden, severe rise creates a real danger of stroke or myocardial infarction. The other descriptions don’t fit because they describe less dramatic or slower BP increases, or even a low systolic pressure, which contradicts the crisis scenario.

Malignant hypertension here is a hypertensive emergency caused by a potent sympathomimetic like ephedrine, which can produce an abrupt, extreme rise in blood pressure with a high risk of end-organ damage. Ephedrine stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors causing rapid vasoconstriction and also boosts heart rate and contractility through beta effects, pushing the systolic pressure to very high levels (often around 220 mmHg). That sudden, severe rise creates a real danger of stroke or myocardial infarction.

The other descriptions don’t fit because they describe less dramatic or slower BP increases, or even a low systolic pressure, which contradicts the crisis scenario.