Renovascular Hypertension in Unselected Patients

THE REPORTED incidence of hypertension secondary to unilateral renal disease, as high as 20%, is based on the experience of centers to which selected patients are referred.^1,2 We are presenting here the results of a sytematic examination for the presence of unilateral renovascular disease in a group of unselected hypertensive patients.

Materials and Methods  Patients with hypertension were referred from the Medical Clinic and the wards of French Hospital or from a Union Health Center. The sole criterion for referral was the presence of diastolic hypertension. Fifty consecutive patients who were found after referral to have persistent diastolic blood pressure readings in excess of 100 mm Hg were admitted to the study. Systolic pressures ranged from 140 to 300 mm Hg; diastolic pressures from 104 to 190 mm Hg.Ages ranged from 26 to 72 years. Twenty-one patients were white and 29 Negro; 25 were women and 25 men.