Estrogen-progesterone combination causing hypertension in latent unilateral ischemic renal disease

Abstract

Idiopathic unilateral renal parenchymal ischemia was the underlying cause for high blood pressure in a young woman in whom hypertension occurred following administration of an oral contraceptive agent. Differential renal function studies documented unilateral disease but suggested tubular impairment; angiography failed to indicate an acquired cause for renal parenchymal atrophy; differential renal vein renins did not localize the lesion until birth control medication was discontinued. Nephrectomy was effective. Possible mechanisms for the coexistence of these two entities are discussed.