A SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Section of the anterior nerve roots from the 6th thoracic to the 2d lumbar segment in a young girl suffering from persistently high arterial blood pressure left the vascular system flexible. The blood pressure level quickly fell to normal and has remained normal for 7 mos., producing no change in the subjective feeling of the patient except that headaches, palpitation and precordial pain disappeared. Denervation of the kidneys resulting from operation slightly lowered their ability to conc. urine, but not their power to excrete urea. The kidneys were as efficient when the blood pressure was reduced to normal as when it had been high. No increase occurred in the no. of erythrocytes excreted in the urine. Hb, plasma proteins, plasma lipids, urine proteins and urine sugar were not significantly altered following operation. The basal metabolism and cardiac output also were normal. Electrocardiographic records taken before and after operation showed no change from normal.