This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by RAST, C. L. Articles by SIEBER, H. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by RAST, C. L., JR. Articles by SIEBER, H. A.

(Circulation. 1955;12:361.)
© 1955 American Heart Association, Inc.

---

Newer Drugs in the Treatment of Hypertension

II. Use of Hexamethonium in Combination with Hydralazine

CHARLES L. RAST JR. M.D.¹; EDWARD S. ORGAIN M.D.¹; JOHN C. MULLER M.D.¹; WILLIAM W. PRYOR M.D.¹; HOMER A. SIEBER M.D.¹

¹ From the Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, and the Cardiovascular Service, Duke Hospital, Durham, N. C.

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.