Development of malignant hypertension in patients with uremia under hemodialysis: a case report and discussions on its etiology.

A woman, now 28 years old, was diagnosed 6 years ago as chronic glomerulonephritis by renal biopsy. From August 15, 1975 she complained of nausea, loss of appetite and weight (about 7 kg within 2 weeks). Severe hypertension (200/130 mmHg), hyponatremia (123 mEq/liter), anemia, elevated plasma renin activity (PRA), advanced azotemia, and eye ground changes of KW-II were found. Dialysis treatment was started on September 2, 1975. From November 1975 massive amounts of sodium (5,000 mEq or more monthly) and water (26 liters or more monthly) were removed by the dialysis. These intensive dialyses resulted in an elevated PRA with recurrence of severe hypertension. At the end of March 1976 she became almost blind with retinopathy of KW-IV. Potent hypotensive drugs including beta-blockers were administered, but no improvements were obtained. On March 31, 1976 nephrectomy was performed to save her life. Marked hyalinization of glomeruli and heavy thickening of intima in interlobular arteries were found in the removed kidneys. Renal artery stenosis was not recognized either macroscopically or histologically. In this patient, the amount of sodium removed by the dialysis was dependent on her diastolic blood pressure and sodium concentration of the dialysis. It may be concluded that too enthusiastic dialysis may develop malignant hypertension due to excessive renin release.