HYPERTENSION DUE TO RENAL EMBOLISM

Since 1938 I 1 have observed 4 cases in which embolization of one or both renal arteries was followed by a pronounced rise in arterial pressure. Prinzmetal 2 has studied a similar case in detail. Since the 4 cases observed in the span of four years were detected without special search in the course of routine ward work, it would appear that hypertension is more than a rare manifestation of renal embolism. For this reason, and because of the theoretical and practical connotations of the elevation of blood pressure occasioned by embolic plugging of a renal artery, the cases seem worthy of publication. Case 1.— T. H., a man aged 42, was admitted on Oct. 22, 1938. He had felt entirely well until three weeks before admission, when he suddenly had severe constricting substernal pain which radiated down the right arm. Accompanying the pain were extreme apprehension and moderate shortness