Purpose: To assess whether intrarenal Doppler ultrasound (US) enables prediction of the outcome of renovascular hypertension in a pediatric population.
Materials and methods: A prospective study of 29 children with renin-mediated hypertension was performed. In these patients, intrarenal Doppler US was performed before angiography. Doppler US and angiographic findings were compared with patient outcome with respect to treatment required and blood pressure (BP) status after therapy. Cure was defined as a normal BP without medication.
Results: Intrarenal Doppler US was positive in 15 patients (52%), group 1, and negative in 14 patients (48%), group 2. In 10 patients (67%) in group 1, the severity of the vascular lesion precluded permanent cure. Cure was achieved in all patients in group 2, except for patients with neurofibromatosis. Thus, there was a statistically significant association (P < .05) between cure and a negative Doppler US result.
Conclusion: In children with renovascular hypertension, a negative Doppler US result enables the prediction that a cure is more likely to be achieved with endovascular therapy or surgery.