Treatment of angiotensin-dependent hypertension has been revolutionised by the introduction of specific inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (Fig. 10.14). Of these, the most important have been captopril and enalapril, captopril being the first available effective and orally active inhibitor of ACE.
Transluminal angioplasty using a catheter with a balloon has been a major advance for treating patients with renal artery stenosis. Good results have been reported for both fibromuscular hyperplasia and atheromatous stenosis, with low morbidity.
