Ramipril for hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis. Changes in blood pressure, the renin-angiotensin system and total and divided renal function.

The converting enzyme inhibitor, ramipril, 20 mg once daily, was given to 3 hypertensive patients with unilateral renovascular disease. At 1 month, 24 hours after the last dose of ramipril, blood pressure, plasma angiotensin II and converting enzyme activity remained low, and active renin and angiotensin I high. There was no tendency for converting enzyme inhibition to be overcome during 1 month of ramipril therapy. Ramipril caused slight increases in serum potassium and urea, no change in serum creatinine and no consistent changes in the renal vein renin ratio. Ramipril caused little change in renal plasma flow on the stenotic side, but filtration fraction was reduced in 2 patients. There was no serious deterioration in total or individual glomerular filtration rate during ramipril therapy. The drug was well tolerated and there were no serious side effects. Ramipril, given once daily, is likely to be effective in controlling hypertension with renal artery stenosis.