Malignant hypertension and accelerated hypertension are both hypertensive emergencies, with similar outcomes and therapies. Accelerated hypertension is defined as a recent significant increase over baseline blood pressure that is associated with target organ damage. This is usually seen as vascular damage during funduscopic examination (eg, flame-shaped hemorrhages, soft exudates) without papilledema. To diagnose malignant hypertension, papilledema (swelling of the optic disc) must be present.
For more on the diagnosis of hypertensive emergencies, read here.
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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared for a Hypertensive Emergency? - Medscape - Jul 02, 2014.
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