Renovascular resistance in primary hypertension: experimental variations detected by means of Doppler ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To gauge the influence of renovascular resistance changes on blood flow velocity pulsatility in kidneys of hypertensive patients by means of the ultrasonic colour and pulsed-wave Doppler method, since we have previously shown in normotensive subjects that the blood flow velocity pulsatility in renal interlobar arteries varies with changes in renovascular resistance.


METHODS
In six male patients with primary hypertension, renal blood flow velocity profiles were investigated by means of duplex ultrasound. Single-kidney renovascular resistance was assessed by measurements of split renal function (gamma-camera renography), renal plasma flow (steady-state para-aminohippurate clearance) and cuff blood pressure. The pulsatility index of the blood flow velocity spectrum in the renal interlobar artery and renovascular resistance were measured either at rest, during infusion of angiotensin II, or after angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition.


RESULTS
A significant correlation existed between pulsatility index and renovascular resistance (r = 0.50, P < 0.002), which did not improve after correction for the blood pressure pulsatility. Changes of pulsatility index were more closely related (r = 0.64, P < 0.001) to the corresponding changes in renovascular resistance.


CONCLUSIONS
With the two-dimensional image-guided colour and pulsed-wave Doppler method it is possible to assess semiquantitatively small intra-individual changes in renovascular resistance in hypertensive patients by means of pulsatility index measurements. Pharmacologically induced alterations in renovascular haemodynamics may therefore be evaluated with this technique.
Jensen
G
G
Department of Nephrology, Sahlgrenska Sjukhuset, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Bardelli
M
M
Volkmann
R
R
Caidahl
K
K
Rose
G
G
Aurell
M
M
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D010130:p-Aminohippuric Acid / Q000097:blood
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000804:Angiotensin II; D010130:p-Aminohippuric Acid