[Renovascular hypertension--diagnosis and therapeutic possibilities]

The causes of renal vascular hypertension are outlined. These are guided by the influence on the renin-angiotensin mechanism. The so-called essential hypertension is not infrequently caused by an early nephrosclerosis, which can be diagnosed very early through electrone microscopy. Renal artery stenosis, caused by fibrodysplasia or arteriosclerosis represents a special case of renal vascular hypertension which can be treated effectively by balloon catheter dilatation. The results in 240 patients are presented where these therapeutic principles were applied.