Hypertension secondary to complete occlusion of the renal artery.

In summary, we feel the results of this study support an aggressive approach toward the diagnostic evaluation and operative management of patients with renovascular hypertension secondary to complete occlusion of the renal artery. Further, the frequent presence of contralateral disease and the progressive nature of renal artery occlusions represent a significant threat to renal function. Since renal function is frequently compromised but potentially retrievable by revascularization, nephrectomy should be employed only when hypertension is difficult to control, revascularization is impossible, and excretory function in the affected kidney is minimal.