Status epilepticus in black African patients with hypertensive encephalopathy: a rare entity that must not be underrated.

ABSTRACT

The severity of a blood pressure spike is more closely associated with serious organ dysfunction, which can be life-threatening in the short term, than with the blood pressure level itself. A hypertensive emergency is defined as the presence of high blood pressure associated with acute organ dysfunction. The specific nature of high blood pressure in black patients may cause more frequent hypertensive emergencies. In this retrospective case study, we report our experience and highlight the specific prognosis for black African patients. We examined three patients, aged 27, 47, and 59 years, admitted to intensive care for a hypertensive emergency with neurological distress, and all in status epilepticus. Average blood pressure was 171 mm HG. Treatment included intubation, ventilation, and induction of a barbiturate coma, plus antihypertensive treatment. The outcome was favorable, with an average stay of 5 days. The frequency of hypertensive emergencies varies according to age, ethnic origin, and period studied. Black patients often suffer from more severe forms of high blood pressure, arising at an earlier age. Hypertensive encephalopathy can occur in patients with or without chronic hypertension. Without treatment, the encephalopathy induces a coma that can quickly become fatal. Its spontaneous course is catastrophic (10-20% survival at one year), but more favorable with adequate treatment (60-80% survival at five years).