Interrupters of VAscular daMAge in Malignant Hypertension

The pathophysiology of malignant hypertension is poorly understood. The current dogma is based on an overwhelming renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, leading to arterial hypertension that overcomes target organ auto-regulatory mechanisms and leads to subacute microvascular lesions. However, some patients present with normal or lowered renin in the acute phase of malignant hypertension, suggesting other pathophysiological pathways. Malignant hypertension was reported following anti-VEGF treatment, suggesting that this pathway may be involved. Recent unpublished animal data highlight 1/ the possibility of severe deregulation of the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) system in malignant hypertension 2/ the possibility of compensation of the vasculotoxic effects of VEGF deficiency by inflammasome components. These systems have never been studied together in human hypertension. Investigators will analyze the angiogenic, vasoactive and VEGF systems through blood and urine sampling. These samples will be collected at the time of malignant hypertension diagnosis and repeated one month later in 30 patients. The same tests will be performed in 15 patients with severe non-malignant hypertension, constituting the control group.