Authors: Piecha G, Wiecek A, Januszewicz A
Abstract
Renovascular hypertension (hypertension induced by renal artery stenosis) is a form of secondary hypertension caused by overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system by the ischemic kidney. Prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) is estimated to be between 2% (unselected hypertensives) and 40% (older patients with other atherosclerotic comorbidities). Most cases of RAS are caused by atherosclerosis; other causes, including fibromuscular dysplasia, vasculitis, thromboembolism and aneurysms, are less frequent. The most frequent clinical presentation of RAS is hypertension. Acute kidney injury, rapid loss of kidney function and episodes of flash pulmonary edema are other symptoms of RAS, especially in bilateral disease. In current...