Advances in the medical management of renovascular hypertension.

Although clinical reports have suggested that antihypertensive therapy can control blood pressure in patients with renovascular hypertension, adequate randomized studies comparing medical versus surgical management are lacking. It is well recognized that progressive deterioration in renal function can occur despite good blood pressure control. Recent experience suggests that higher-risk patients with atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension can benefit from an aggressive surgical approach, whereas newer medical therapies capable of specific inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system suggest greater potential benefits to other patients. Properly performed randomized trials comparing medical versus surgical therapy of renovascular hypertension are needed.