[Multiple renal arteries and renovascular hypertension]

The presence of multiple renal arteries (MRA) as a congenital developmental anomaly encountered in 13% angiographic examinations is not the cause of vasorenal hypertension. Sustained hypertension develops in affection of one or several of the MRA. The authors analyse 55 patients with vasorenal hypertension in affection of one or more of the MRA. Interventions on the MRA restored their blood flow in 91.0% of patients. Positive results with reduction of hypertension were produced in 85.4% of patients. Complications--restenosis, thromboses--occurred in 12.7% of cases. One patient died from acute renal failure which had developed in thrombosis of the renal arteries. Patients with affection of one or several of MRA of various etiology may be cured successfully by organ-preserving reconstructive operations. Nephrectomy should be resorted to only in intraorganic affection of the renal vessels or in total loss of kidney function.