[Descriptive study of complicated hypertension. Experience of the Principal Hospital of Dakar].

We included in a six month-period 85 patients concerned about complicated high blood pressure. Hypertension represented 33% of 276 admissions for cardiovascular cases. Among the 55 men and 30 women concerned, average age was 57 years-old. Male to female ratio was 1,8. Cardiovascular risk factors were determined as follows: obesity: 18 cases (21%), cigarette smoking: 27 cases (32%), diabetes mellitus: 11 cases (13%), hypercholesterolaemia: 44 cases (52 %). Kidney was damaged in 36 patients (42%). Seventy patients (82%) with systolic dysfunction in 21 cases (30%) presented a left ventricular hypertrophy. Malignant hypertension was noted in 13 cases (15%). Eighteen patients (21%) had stroke and 9 died (10,5%). Drugs association was needed to control hypertension. As for everywhere in Africa, complicated hypertension is the main cause to admission for cardiovascular disease in our day-to-day practice. National preventive measures should help for systematic detection process and adequate management.