title: Malignant Hypertension and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: False Friends.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare hematologic disorder resulting in hemolysis of red blood cells, consumption of platelets, and occlusion of microvasculature. Malignant hypertension is the clinical syndrome of severe elevations in blood pressure and funduscopic hypertensive retinopathy, including bilateral flame-shaped hemorrhage and papilledema.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the case of a 63-year-old man who presented with features of TTP and malignant hypertension treated with plasma exchange and developing end-stage renal disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the diagnostic uncertainty at presentation, clinicians should quickly intervene to control hypertension and institute plasma exchange as needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Hossam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alfishawy
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babigumira
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tayyaba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bashir
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006974:Hypertension, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology