Hypothesis: Accessory renal arteries may be an overlooked cause of renin-dependent hypertension

Multiple Treatment Strategies of Accessory Renal Artery Related Hypertension: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review

Renovascular hypertension (RVH) is a primary cause of secondary hypertension, primarily driven by the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation. Recently, growing studies suggested accessory renal artery (ARA) might also contribute to RVH. However, the treatment of ARA-related hypertension and whether to take interventional treatment lack consensus. Herein, we report two cases of ARA-related hypertension in our hospital. Imaging studies of both patients showed ARA stenosis. One patient had ARA occlusion well-compensated through tortuous collateral branches, achieving normal blood pressure by medical treatment alone. The other patient had ARA stenosis coexisted with main renal artery stenosis, and revascularization of both arteries led to a significant postoperative reduction in blood pressure. A literature review was conducted to summarize overall treatment strategies for ARA-related hypertension and clarify the relationship between ARA and hypertension. Recent research supported an association between ARA and hypertension. While medical therapy remains the first-line treatment for ARA-related hypertension, interventional procedures should be considered for patients whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite conservative management.

A rare case of multiple visceral vascular variations around the kidneys: morphological and clinical aspects

Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta is important information for planning any surgeries in the region. We present here a rare constellation of variations of visceral vessels around the kidneys with a brief review of the recent literature. On the right side, an accessory renal artery was observed originating just distal to the main renal artery. The middle suprarenal artery was absent on the right side and there were two inferior suprarenal arteries originating from a branch of the main right renal artery. On the left side, the testicular artery had an arched course anterior to the left renal vein mimicking an unusual variety of nutcracker phenomenon. The right kidney was drained by two renal veins into the inferior vena cava. Knowledge of the coexistence of such complex anatomical variations might be helpful for clinicians during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Relationship between accessory renal arteries and resistant hypertension: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Resistant hypertension (RHT) is a major health care concern affecting 20 to 30% of hypertensive patients and increasing cardiovascular risk. Recent renal denervation trials have suggested a high prevalence of accessory renal arteries (ARA) in RHT. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of ARA in RHT vs. non-resistant hypertension (NRHT).

METHODS

Eighty-six patients with essential hypertension who benefited from an abdominal CT-scan or MRI during their initial workup were retrospectively recruited in 6 French ESH (European Society of Hypertension) centers. At the end of a follow-up period of at least 6 months, patients were classified between RHT or NRHT. RHT was defined as uncontrolled blood pressure despite the optimal doses of three antihypertensive agents of which one is a diuretic or similar, or controlled by ≥ 4 medications. Blinded independent central review of all radiologic renal artery charts was performed.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were: age 50±15 years, 62% males, BP 145±22/87±13mmHg. Fifty-three (62%) patients had RHT and 25 (29%) had at least one ARA. Prevalence of ARA was comparable between RHT (25%) and NRHT patients (33%, P=0.62), but there were more ARA per patient in NRHT (2±0.9) vs. RHT (1.3±0.5, P=0.05), and renin levels were higher in ARA group (51.6±41.7 mUI/L vs. 20.4±25.4 mUI/L, P=0.001). ARA were similar in diameter or length between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective series of 86 essential hypertension patients, we found no difference in the prevalence of ARA in RHT and NRHT. More comprehensive studies are needed to answer this question.

Primary Aldosteronism Masked by Accessory Renal Arteries: A Case Report

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent form of secondary endocrine hypertension, which is characterized by excessive aldosterone secretion and suppressed renin. The currently recommended diagnostic algorithm is very clear, and the plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is considered the first-line screening test. However, this indicator is influenced by many factors, some of which may cause false-negative results, consequently leading to underdiagnosed PA. Here, we report the rare case of a 38-year-old man who presented with bilateral accessory renal arteries and aldosterone-producing adenoma but had a negative ARR test result.