Screening hypertensive patients for surgically reversible causes--unsettled issues.
1. The frequency of surgically reversible hypertension in the general or unselected hypertensive population is not established. Most published studies reporting frequency of surgical hypertension are based on studies from referral centers. 2. Future surveys regarding surgically remediable hypertension should be reported both in terms of frequency and in terms of the actual percent or number of patients who undergo surgical therapy. Studies to date suggest that there is a significant difference between frequency and operated cases. 3. Currently available screening tests for surgical hypertension are not generally recommended except for the serum potassium as a screen for aldosterone adenomas. Other currently available screening tests do not meet the criteria of acceptable tests for mass screening. 4. Medical therapy is a reasonable alternative for selected cases of aldosterone adenomas and is preferred therapy for certain cases of renal artery stenosis.
D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000601:surgery; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006974:Hypertension, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000601:surgery; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D014481:United States