[Intravenous pyelography with visualization of renal arteries and pyelogram wash-out, as the method of choice for the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension (author's transl)].

The authors review the various techniques of intravenous arteriography before an excretory urogram and discuss their role in the etiological diagnosis of hypertension. Detection of renovascular disease classically implied Seldinger arteriography, with its limited indications, because of side effects and cost. This classical approach should now be systematically replaced by the visualization of renal arteries during the intravenous pyelography procedure which appears to be a method more effective, as well as less expensive and hazardous. The pyelogram wash-out should still be performed when the visualization of the renal arteries is poor because of its value in the screening for renovascular hypertension. Furthermore, when a renal artery stenosis is clearly defined, the wash-out of the pyelogram should also be performed because of its prognostic value. As the classical approach for the etiological diagnosis of hypertension, this technique has limited indications. It is indicated in severe hypertension in the young, when medical treatment does not control blood pressure satisfactorily or when renal failure progresses rapidly. Furthermore, this technique allows a non traumatic follow up of operated or dilated stenoses.