Renovascular hypertension

Approximately 5% of all hypertensive patients have renovascular hypertension, although its true incidence is unknown. The pathophysiology of renovascular hypertension has been linked to other intrarenal systems, the lipoxygenase pathway, and renin angiotensin. Many advances have been made in this field, but emphasis is now being placed on using less invasive or non-invasive tests to identify functionally significant lesions with a high degree of accuracy. The treatment modalities have shifted from aggressive surgical revascularization to less invasive management. The use of arterial stents has simplified the management of patients with renovascular hypertension, but long-term results are not yet available.