Anomalous renal artery is potential cause of resistant hypertension in a 53 year old patient: case report

Abstract

Background: Drug-resistant hypertension can be attributable to secondary hypertension and other causes. Anomalous renal artery is uncommon but can be a potential cause of resistant hypertension.

Case Report: We highlight the challenges in management of resistant hypertension and describe its unusual association with renal artery anomaly in 53 years old man who was referred to our nephrology clinic from a peripheral general hospital on account of poorly controlled hypertension. At presentation, BP was severely elevated at 208/100mmHg but no remarkable findings in the rest of the examination. Several investigations done including abdominal ultrasound scan and Computerised Tomography (CT) Renal angiogram revealed a Left anomalous renal artery. Patient declined all suggested urologic interventions and he was then managed conservatively.

Conclusion: We found that anomalous renal arteries can be a potential cause of resistant hypertension. We therefore recommend ultrasound scan of the abdomen as a screening modality due to its being non-invasive.

Keywords: Renal artery, anomalous, resistant hypertension, stenosis