An evidence-based approach to diagnosing renovascular hypertension

Making the diagnosis of potentially reversible renovascular hypertension can be problematic. Although there are a number of noninvasive screening tests available, no one study is appropriate for every patient. In general, the available tests can be divided into those that identify the functional consequences of a renal artery obstruction (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-augmented renography) and those that identify the anatomic presence of stenosis (duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography, and contrast tomography angiography). The most appropriate diagnostic approach is based largely on the clinical index of suspicion, the potential etiology of the renal artery lesion (fibromuscular dysplasia or atherosclerosis), and the individual patient's physiology and presentation. A potential treatment algorithm is presented.