Hypertensive emergency, is the most severe presentation of arterial hypertension, having high morbidity-mortality. Clevidipine is a calcium channel blocker. Its pharmacokinetics is favorable to use for hypertensive emergencies, rendering this drug a promising alternative to the restricted therapeutic armamentarium available both in the emergency room and intensive care unit. In this review we describe the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and clinical trials evaluating Clevidipine in emergency situations, comparing this drug to other traditionally used drugs in this condition.