[Treatment of arterial hypertension with minoxidil in renal insufficiency].

Minoxidil was administered to 13 patients with arterial hypertension resistant to ordinary antihypertensive drugs and with various degrees of renal failure. Four patients were followed in this way for 50 weeks. Blood pressure values fell from 208 +/- 9.8/124 +/- 4.8 to 153.1 +/- 7.8/86.9 +/- 2.6 at the end of the treatment period. Propanolol and furosemide were used to offset sodium retention and reflex tachycardia. There was no decrease in renal function. In patients examined for the longest period, the minoxidyl dose, after an intermediate reduction stage, reached the 8th week value. Hypertrichosis was the most disturbing side-effect, especially for the female patients. The question of pericarditis is discussed.