Does extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy cause hypertension?

Several series have suggested that the incidence of hypertension following extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be as high as 8%. In this study, changes in blood pressure and the incidence of hypertension have been observed in 733 patients 12 to 44 months after renal ESWL on the Dornier HM3. The incidence of hypertension following ESWL was 8.1%. In patients with a pre-ESWL diastolic pressure less than 90 mmHg, the incidence of those with a diastolic greater than or equal to 100 mm Hg post-operatively was significantly greater than that predicted by historical data. There was no overall change in the mean blood pressure of the group. The hypertensive risk of ESWL remains unclear. However, blood pressure surveillance should be performed following ESWL and a prospective study is required.