ACE inhibitors and unilateral renal artery stenosis — what price?

The effects of ACE inhibitors on the stenosed kidney in patients with unilateral arterial stenosis are not well characterised. While there are conflicting reports, some experimental and clinical evidence suggest that the stenosed kidney may undergo atrophy: secondary to effective blood pressure lowering and decreased perfusion pressure distally, or due to other mechanism/s. Such a loss of renal function may go unrecognised. In view of the widespread use of ACE inhibitors, the fate of the stenosed kidney needs to be more accurately known.