REBOUND HYPERTENSION AFTER CLONIDINE WITHDRAWAL IN A PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT : A CASE REPORT

Clonidine abrupt cessation may cause a rebound hypertension. Diagnosis can be confirmed with clinical findings and an increase in noradrenaline urinary levels. We present the case of a patient who presented hypertension and tachycardia after clonidine withdrawal, with no increase in noradrenaline urinary levels, but with an increase in urinary dopamine levels, which is normally not increased significantly. We successfully treated hypertension with the reintroduction and progressive weaning of clonidine, after a therapeutic test with a dopamine antagonist. All catecholamines should be tested in the event of suspected rebound hypertension after clonidine withdrawal.