Captopril induced reversible renal failure: A marker of renal artery stenosis affecting a solitary kidney

Abstract

Captopril may be effective in resistant hypertension as well as in renal artery stenosis. Patients with resistant hypertension, however, often have widespread vascular disease and some degree of renal impairment. During treatment with captopril in 22 consecutive patients with 'difficult' hypertension attending this clinic we found three cases of reversible renal failure. Subsequent investigation suggested that abrupt reversible renal failure during treatment with low dose captopril may be diagnostic of renal artery stenosis affecting a solitary functioning kidney.