American journal of hypertension
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Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and labetalol are recommended for the immediate treatment of malignant hypertension. Both are intravenous agents but have different effects on systemic hemodynamics, and may have differential effects on pulse-wave reflection and pulse-pressure amplification, with consequences for peripheral versus central blood pressures (BPs). ⋯ We found no difference in central SBP or PP in subjects treated with SNP and labetalol, but labetalol produced a greater reduction in peripheral SBP and PP in the immediate treatment of malignant hypertension.