HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS AND DECOMPENSATION OF HEART FAILURE DUE TO NASAL DECONGESTIVE ABUSE – CASE REPORT

Abstract

Introduction: Decompensated heart failure is a significant global health problem and hypertensive crisis is one of its main causes. Case report: A 65-year-old female patient with multiple comorbidities and preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF) was admitted to the emergency room with decompensated heart failure due to hypertensive emergency due to indiscriminate use of a nasal decongestant, Naphazoline Hydrochloride, for 40 years. After stabilization, the patient was discharged with instructions to discontinue the drug and replace it with an intranasal corticosteroid. Discussion: Poor control of arterial hypertension is the main cause of decompensated HFpEF. Naphazoline Hydrochloride acts on vascular alpha-adrenergic receptors, stimulating them and, consequently, generating an increase in blood pressure, which is potentiated when the drug is used indiscriminately, as in this case. Conclusion: in overdoses, Naphazoline Hydrochloride may lead to decompensation of heart failure, and it is of utmost importance to raise awareness of the adverse effects and rational use of this class of drugs.