Evaluation of Intravenous Cardene(Nicardipine)and Labetalol Use in the Emergency Department

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Systolic blood pressure ≥180 mm Hg on 2 consecutive readings(10 minutes apart)presenting in the emergency department (ED) Exclusion Criteria: * Use of any investigational drug within 1 month prior to emergency department (ED) * Pregnant or breast-feeding females * Contraindications or allergy to beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (see FDA approved labeling for nicardipine intravenous and labetalol) * Subjects with decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF) or with a known left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<35% * History of stroke within 30 days * Known liver failure * Suspected myocardial infarction * Suspected aortic dissection * Suspected cocaine overdose * Concurrently receiving other intravenous (I.V.) hypertensive medications