Malignant hypertension: aetiology and outcome in 83 patients.

To evaluate the current pattern of aetiology and outcome in malignant hypertension, we reviewed all medical records of patients presenting between 1979 and 1985 who fulfilled WHO criteria for malignant hypertension. There were 83 patients, 43 males (52%) and 40 females (48%). Primary malignant hypertension was diagnosed in 17 cases (20%) and secondary lesions in 66 cases (80%). Overall one year survival was 94%, and 5 year survival 75%, which is similar to recent reports. Initial serum creatinine was a prognostic indicator.