Treatment of Renovascular Hypertension

Treatment of Renovascular Hypertension

If medical management—medications and lifestyle changes—are insufficient, interventional radiologists can perform angioplasty and, if needed, stenting, to improve blood flow to the kidney. The goal of the treatment in renovascular disease is normalization of the blood pressure or improvement of its control with medications, and improvement or preservation of kidney function. Angioplasty of the renal artery is relatively low risk and can improve blood pressure control and thus prevent further damage to the kidney. Balloon angioplasty and stenting has generally replaced surgery as the first-line treatment for renal arterial occlusions.

Treatment of renal failure

Interventional radiologists play a key role in treating patients with renal failure. In these patients, revascularization with angioplasty has gained acceptance as a treatment to improve or stabilize renal function, with improvement seen in approximately 40 percent of patients. Only select patients are expected to benefit, and candidates need thorough evaluation by their nephrologist.

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