IN THE usual definition, the benign phase of essential hypertension is characterized by elevated diastolic pressure associated with diffuse vascular disease (arterial and arteriolar sclerosis) of unknown origin but without significant impairment of renal excretory function. Malignant hypertension has been defined in a variety of ways and there is no complete agreement about its pathognomonic fe...

To determine the role of vasopressin in the maintenance of high blood pressure, the antihypertensive effect of the antagonists of the vasopressor effect of vasopressin, [1-deaminopenicillamine, 4-valine, 8-D-arginine] vasopressin (dPVDAVP), and [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid), 4-valine, 8-D-arginine] vasopressin (cyclo dVDAVP), was studied in unanesthetized, nons...

1. As proposed by Schürmann & MacMahon (1933), we suggest that two types of malignant nephrosclerosis exist. 2. In the type called primary malignant nephrosclerosis, renal vascular lesions precede hypertension. 3. In the second type, called secondary malignant nephrosclerosis, renal vascular lesions are considered to be the consequence of malignant hypertension.

The smoking habits of 82 patients with malignant-phase hypertension were compared with those of subjects in three control groups matched for age and sex. Sixty-seven (82%) of the patients with malignant-phase hypertension were smokers compared with 41 (50%) and 71 (43%) of the patients in two control groups with non-malignant hypertension, and 43 people (52%) in a general population survey. The...