Evaluation and preparation for surgical treatment of renal artery disease.

The diagnosis of renovascular disease and renovascular hypertension is outlined. A comparison and analysis of the advantages of three forms of treatment are made. These include medical management, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and surgical intervention. Selection of patients for revascularization to preserve renal function is discussed, and guidelines for determining renal salvageability are presented. Surgical revascularization is the treatment of choice for patients with ostial atherosclerotic renal artery disease, branch renal artery disease, or a renal artery aneurysm.