[Transcutaneous intravascular balloon dilatation in renal artery stenosis and arterial hypertension]

In 20 patients with stenosis of the renal artery and arterial hypertension Gruentzig balloon catheter was introduced transcutaneously into the artery with subsequent dilatation. In 2 cases arterial pressure became normal, in 8 the course of the disease improved, in 4 high hypertension was retained but responded to hypotensive agents, in 2 there was no effect, and in 4 balloon dilatation could not be carried out due to the impossibility of pushing the catheter through the stenosed segment of vessel. According to the data of renal scintigraphy plasma flow on the affected side rose by 16-66% after dilatation as compared to the initial figures, there was no significant change in the contralateral kidney.