[Current aspects of nephrosclerosis]

The most frequent form of nephrosclerosis in human kidneys is the so-called benign variant. It may develop subsequent to even short-lasting hypertensive episodes. The interlobular arteries may be primarily affected, occasionally accompanied by glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions. Consequently, progressive renal damage may occur potentially aggravating renal diseases of different origin. Malignant nephrosclerosis became a rare disease. Experimentally, it was impossible to induce its early intimal changes exclusively by high blood pressure values. Therefore, it was assumed that previous adaptive vascular changes, in addition to further advancing hypertension, may also be prerequisites for the development of malignant nephrosclerosis.