MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD-PRESSURE INSTABILITY IN SEVERE TETANUS - THE USE OF CLONIDINE

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of clonidine in the managemen t of unstable blood pressure in severe tetanus. Design: Patients with severe tetanus and blood pressure instability were treated with clonid ine and the results were compared with those of other patients with se vere tetanus who were not treated with clonidine. Setting: Intensive c are unit of the Chest Hospital of Athens. Patients: We studied 27 pati ents with severe tetanus and autonomic dysfunction. Interventions: Pat ients were managed according to a protocol. Measurements and results: Clonidine was administered until blood pressure stability was fully re stored and the dose was then gradually reduced. Five patients from the non-clonidine group and 2 from the clonidine group died. Conclusions: These results suggest that clonidine is effective in the treatment of blood pressure instability in severe tetanus.