The spectrum of renovascular hypertension

This review briefly summarizes pathological findings that may cause renovascular hypertension. Though atherosclerosis is the most common cause of renovascular hypertension, one third of all renovascular disorders has to be contributed to one of the arterial dysplasias. In contrast to atherosclerotic lesions which occur predominantly in older, male patients, fibrodysplastic alterations occur rather in younger, female patients. In very few cases malformations of the renal arteries or generalized diseases may cause renovascular hypertension.