Hypertension and Altered Mental Status (AMS) - Differential Diagnosis Framework Hypertension: • Hypertensive emergency • Hypertensive encephalopathy • PRES • Sympathetic stimulation Cardiac: • CHF • Fluid overload Endocrinopathies: • Cushing’s syndrome • Primary aldosteronism • Pheochromocytoma • Hyperthyroidism CNS: • Stroke - with compensatory HTN • Seizures/NCSE • Delirium/agitation • CNS tumor • Intracranial mass OB: • Eclampsia/Pre-Eclampsia Renal: • Acute GN • Acute/Chronic renal failure • Renal artery stenosis Autonomic Hyperactivity: • GBS Autoimmune: • Vasculitis • Lupus • Polyarteritis nodosa • Scleroderma renal crises Drug (+): • Cocaine • NMS • Serotonin syndrome • Sympathomimetic agents • Amphetamine intoxication • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Drug (-): • ETOH withdrawal • Opioid withdrawal • Clonidine cessation #Hypertension #AMS #encephalopathy #altered #Differential #Diagnosis #causes
