Prediction of renovascular hypertension. Comparison of clinical diagnostic indices.

One hundred and six patients were determined to have renovascular hypertension (RVH) out of 3520 patients with hypertension referred by their physicians for a 1-day blood pressure study (1-day BP study) to evaluate the presence of secondary forms of hypertension. The clinical indices (including serum potassium and creatinine concentrations) most likely to predict RVH were analyzed. Patients unlikely to have RVH were those with a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) less than or equal to 90 mm Hg (with or without BP medication) with a serum potassium concentration less than 3.4 mEq/L. A two- to threefold increased prevalence of RVH was associated with DBP greater than 110 mm Hg, an age of onset of hypertension of 51-69 years, or age of onset greater than 60 years with a DBP less than or equal to 100 mm Hg. A four- to sixfold increase came with an age of onset greater than 60 years, serum potassium (with or without BP medication) 2.9-3.3 mEq/L, or serum potassium less than 3.4 mEq/L with DBP greater than 90 mm Hg. A seven- to ninefold increase came with age of onset greater than 60 years with DBP greater than 110 mm Hg or serum potassium (with or without BP medication) of 2.3-2.8 mEq/L.