Renovascular hypertension: Comparison of medical and surgical therapy

Results of medical and surgical therapy were compared in 28 patients with hypertension and unilateral renovascular ischaemia. Renal function remained normal in both groups throughout the study period. After 6 months of follow-up systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the surgically treated patients. After 12 months of follow-up there was no significant difference between the two groups in diastolic blood pressure and after 24 months of follow-up there was no significant difference between the two groups in either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Sixty per cent of surgically treated patients were cured 6 months after operation, but only 40% remained cured after 24 months of follow-up. All patients cured at 6 months who subsequently required antihypertensive medication had arteriosclerotic renovascular disease.