Observations on Renal Hypertension

Abstract

Bilateral renal biopsies, aortograms, and renal split function studies were performed on a group of hypertensive patients. Although some of them had aortographic lesions and/or renal split function studies suggestive of unilateral renal ischemia, all showed evidence of bilateral intrarenal arteriolar disease. The differentiation between bilateral arteriolonephrosclerosis and unilateral renal disease as the cause of hypertension is difficult. Biopsy of the contralateral kidney should show little or no vascular change before the diagnosis of curable renal hypertension is entertained. Surgical intervention should not be considered when severe intrarenal vascular disease is present.