Treatment of renovascular hypertension by unilateral nephrectomy. A follow-up study in patients above 60 years of age.

The long term results of surgical intervention in 26 elderly patients with renovascular hypertension are presented. All patients were above 60 years of age at the day of operation. The majority of the patients had atherosclerotic renovascular disease with only one case of fibromuscular dysplasia. Several patients had severe extrarenal atherosclerotic disease. The diagnosis of renovascular hypertension was based upon the results of isotope renography, renal arteriography and renal vein catheterization. All patients underwent unilateral nephrectomy. Notably, no deaths or complications occurred in relation to surgery. At the follow-up study, blood pressure was lowered and the requirement for antihypertensive drugs reduced in 86% of the patients. We conclude that unilateral nephrectomy in elderly high risk patients with renovascular hypertension is a safe and efficient procedure.