Diagnosis and management of systemic hypertension due to renovascular and aortic stenosis in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome

AIM: To describe the incidence, diagnosis, and management of systemic arterial hypertension related to renal artery stenosis in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome were evaluated for hypertension. Enrolled patients underwent Doppler sonography of the renal arteries and Doppler echocardiography. Those with Doppler sonography-detected lesions or with normal Doppler sonography but severe hypertension underwent computed tomography or gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the aorta and renal vessels. Patients needing vascular therapeutic intervention underwent conventional angiography. RESULTS: Systemic arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 21/65 patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome (32%; 13 male) with a mean age of 13.9 years (5mo-20yrs). In 8/21 patients renovascular hypertension was detected. Angioplasty was unsuccessful in five patients with renal artery stenosis, requiring additional treatment. Doppler echocardiography showed cardiac abnormalities in 16/21 (76%) hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: Cardiac abnormalities and hypertension in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome are common. Thus, thorough evaluation and follow-up are necessary to reduce cardiovascular risks and mortality of these patients.