title: A follow-up study of hypertensive patients after operative treatment of unilateral renovascular or renal disease.
abstract: A study of 44 hypertensive patients with unilateral renovascular or renal parenchymal disease is presented. All patients underwent corrective surgery. Out of the 44 operated patients, five did not participate in the follow-up examination. The remaining 39 patients constitute the study population. The effects of surgery on the hypertensive state could be evaluated in 35 patients, whereas four died less than two months after the operation. Follow-up studies were carried out at 8-60 months after the operation. The average period of observation was 32 months; 24 patients were observed for more than two years. As a group, the patients had severe hypertension with extensive target organ damage and widespread atherosclerosis. A fairly rigorous selection process was applied, and an unsatisfactory response to medical management was considered a point of major importance. In the majority of cases, renovascular lesions were atherosclerotic, with only two cases of fibromuscular dysplasia. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in 32 patients, whereas seven underwent reconstructive vascular surgery. Out of 35 patients, 22 (63%) were cured, 8 (23%) improved and 5 (14%) unaltered. A gratifying regression of hypertensive lesions in target organs was observed in patients who were cured or improved by surgery. The frequency and severity of postoperative complications were related to the presence of extrarenal vascular disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality