[The malignant hypertension syndrome: incontrovertible and questionable truths]

A total of 42 patients with malignant arterial hypertension (MAH) were examined. Of these, 32 patients had essential hypertension (26 with normal renal function and 6 with renal failure treated by programmed hemodialysis) and 10 suffered from chronic glomerulonephritis. The patients were examined for central hemodynamics, hormonal background (plasma renin activity) (PRA), plasma aldosterone and cortisol concentration. 14 patients underwent closed puncture biopsy of the kidneys. All the patients manifested high PRA associated activation of gluco- and mineralocorticoid adrenal function along with the hyperkinetic syndrome. MAH was characterized by dramatic discrepancy between the stroke and cardiac indices and specific peripheral resistance. Nephrosclerosis whose extent varied, attaining maximum in patients with associated essential hypertension and renal failure and in autopsy material, in addition to severe lesions of the renal vessels appeared to be the common feature of all morphological alterations. Plasmic impregnation and fibrinoid necrosis of the arterioles were not detectable in all the patients, being of focal character. The same alterations were identified in the patients during exacerbation of glomerulonephritis and in the absence of MAH. The data obtained point to the nonuniformity of MAH. Four clinicomorphological variants of MAH are suggested.