Long-term follow-up of blood pressure after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Thirty-five men and 33 women, mean age 45 years (range 15-67) treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for renal stones by a modified Dornier HM3 lithotripter, were followed in a 24- to 36-month prospective study to assess the risk of hypertension. No significant increase in the mean diastolic blood pressure was observed. No correlation was found between the hypertension incidence and the number of shock waves applied, the kilovoltage, urinary N-acetylglucosaminidase variations, or initial blood pressure. Among the normotensive group, three new cases of hypertension (diastolic pressure of greater-than-or-equal-to 100 mm Hg) were observed (6%), which was not significantly greater than expected. Nevertheless, we believe that long-term surveillance is essential after SWL.