Long-term prognosis in malignant or accelerated hypertension.

In 51 consecutive patients with malignant hypertension collected from 1976 to 1981 we have analysed patient and kidney survival at 5 years and at last follow-up. The patients were 41 men, 10 women, mean age 53 years, with a stage III (63%) or stage IV (27%) fundi and a diastolic blood pressure (BP) greater than 130 mmHg. The hypertension was primary in 26, renovascular in 17 and secondary to bilateral nephropathy in eight. At 5-years follow-up, the patient and kidney survival rates were respectively 72.5% and 47%. At last follow-up, 18 patients had died (35%) and 18 additional patients require dialysis (renal death = 70%). The principal causes of death related to terminal renal failure and/or dialysis. Initial involvement of heart (27%) and brain (35%) led to a few more deaths. Blood pressure control reduced consequences for the heart and brain but not for the kidney. Patients at higher risk are those with serum creatinine greater than 200 mumol/l on admission.