Primary Arteritis of the Aorta as a Cause of Renovascular Hypertension in Singapore

Abstract

Summary: One hundred and twenty-seven Asian hypertensive patients between the ages of 12 and 40 were investigated for causes of hypertension. Twelve of these patients had renovascular hypertension. Five of these twelve patients were found to have primary arteritis of the aorta, emphasising the importance of this disorder as a cause of renovascular hypertension in an Asian community. One of these cases presented with concurrent manifestations of rheumatic fever. The pathogenic considerations relating to these cases are discussed together with an evaluation of some immunologic phenomena previously described.