Renovascular hypertension with massive proteinuria.

A 65-year-old woman with renovascular hypertension and massive proteinuria is reported. Her urinary protein ranged from 3 to 5 g/day. Serum potassium was 2.9 mEq/l. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were very high. A CT scan disclosed atrophy of the left kidney. Renogram showed a non-functioning pattern of the left kidney. An abdominal aortogram showed complete occlusion of the left renal artery at its ostium. After left nephrectomy, her high blood pressure and urinary protein were normalized. It seemed that the massive proteinuria was mainly due to some endocrinological effect of the left kidney.