Malignant hypertension (arteriolar nephrosclerosis)

Disease	Injury	Nutrition	Poison

Special Topic	Surgery	Symptoms	Test

Hypertensive kidney

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Malignant hypertension (arteriolar nephrosclerosis)

Alternative Names:

Accelerated hypertension; Arteriolar nephrosclerosis; Nephrosclerosis - arteriolar; Hypertension - malignant

Treatment:

Hospitalization is essential until the severe high blood pressure is under control.

Intravenous medications such as nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or others may reduce blood pressure.

After the acute hypertension is brought under control, oral (by mouth) anti-hypertensive medications can maintain control of the blood pressure. The medication may need to be adjusted occasionally. Hypertension can be difficult to control.

Expectations (prognosis):

If treated promptly, malignant hypertension is often controlled without permanent complications. If it is not treated promptly, complications may be severe and life-threatening.

Complications:

recurrence of malignant hypertension episodes
damage to the brain from:
- hypertensive encephalopathy
- spasm or constriction of the arteries of the brain
- cerebral edema
- stroke
- seizures
- intracerebral hemorrhage
- coma
pressure damage to the eyes, permanent blindness
pressure damage to the heart
- decreased cardiac output
- heart attack
- angina
pulmonary edema
acute renal failure

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of malignant hypertension develop. This is an emergency condition!

Call your health care provider if known hypertension is poorly controlled.

Review Date: 12/2/2001
Reviewed By: Andrew Koren, M.D., Department of Nephrology, NYU-Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.