[Treatment of renovascular hypertension in the state of Paraná].

PURPOSE

To verify the incidence of treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) in the state of Paraná, in a two-year period (1991-92).

METHODS

Questionnaires were mailed to the 72 vascular surgeons members of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery--Paraná Chapter, and to the vascular radiologists with experience in renal artery angioplasty. The questionnaire inquired about cases of RVH treated by surgery or renal artery angioplasty.

RESULTS

All 8 vascular radiologists and 38 (52.7%) vascular surgeons returned the questionnaires. Only 18 patients with HRV were treated in Paraná: 10 by surgical methods and 8 by renal angioplasty. The annual incidence of treatment of RVH in Paraná was estimated to be 0.16 cases per 100,000 adults.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of treatment of RVH in Paraná is extremely low, due to several factors: unavailability of diagnostic methods, absence of screening programs, and little information in the medical community.