Geriatric hypertension of renovascular origin: diagnosis and management.

Atherosclerotic occlusion of the renal arteries is the predominant cause of renovascular hypertension in the elderly. Medical therapy is appropriate when blood pressure is easily controlled and renal function remains stable. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty is suitable for selected patients with non-ostial, unilateral lesions, but surgical revascularization currently offers the best interventive results for both hypertension and preservation of renal function in elderly patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.