The purpose of the present retrospective study was to examine the relationship between hypertension and abruptio placentae. Two hundred sixty-five consecutive cases of abruption were reviewed, with an emphasis on the occurrence and severity of hypertensive disease. The results confirm a close relationship between abruptio placentae and hypertension. The incidence of abruption was highest with eclampsia (23.6%), followed by chronic hypertension (10.0%) and preeclampsia (2.3%). In addition, those with eclampsia and chronic hypertension had a significantly higher perinatal mortality than those without these conditions. These data demonstrate that hypertension is associated with an increased risk of abruption. Furthermore, the degree of this increased risk is clearly dependent upon the specific type of hypertensive disorder.