The current role of renal angioplasty in the treatment of renovascular hypertension.

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty, a relatively noninvasive technique, has assumed an increasing role in the treatment of renovascular hypertension. The combined advent of digital subtraction angiography, renal-vein renin samples, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have prompted many physicians to reassess their treatment strategies. The authors present their experience with renal angioplasty at the New York Hospital and briefly describe the history and mechanism of action of this procedure.