Purpose: To answer the question of whether extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) induces hypertension, a prospective, randomized controlled trial of normotensive patients with asymptomatic renal calculi was designed.
Materials and methods: Patients were randomized to receive immediate ESWL versus observation, reserving ESWL for the onset of symptoms. The rates of new onset hypertension were evaluated for both groups.
Results: There was no observed difference in the incidence of hypertension between the treatment and observation groups.
Conclusions: The risk of hypertension in patients undergoing ESWL therapy is similar to that of a control cohort of initially observed asymptomatic patients.