Relevant diagnostic procedures in renovascular hypertension

The validity of invasive preoperative diagnostic procedures in patients with unilateral renovascular hypertension was assessed. A significant lowering of blood pressure following reconstructive surgery can be predicted if following stimulation with Dihydralazine the renal-venous renin ratio of the involved to the noninvolved kidney is at least 2.0. Furthermore, it is of importance to determine the renal perfusion rate in the contralateral non-stenotic kidney which should be within normal limits. If these two criteria are met then in the majority of cases surgical intervention in unilateral hypertension is meaningful.