Is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Really Safe in Long-Term Follow-Up? A Nationwide Retrospective 6-Year Age-Matched Non-Randomized Study.

INTRODUCTION: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is widely used. However, several studies have reported increased blood pressure immediately after SWL. Until now, the association between SWL and new-onset hypertension has been a topic of discussion. This study is aimed at determining whether SWL leads to new-onset hypertension.

METHODS: Data were sourced from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 of Taiwan, Republic of China, which was compiled from 1996 to 2010 using National Health Insurance data. Patients who had undergone SWL were compared with controls that were matched for age, sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.

RESULTS: Patients who had undergone SWL had a higher incidence of new-onset hypertension compared to the control groups. Furthermore, new hypertension developed faster in the SWL group.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that an association exists between nephrolithiasis patients who were treated with SWL and subsequent hypertension diagnosis. Patients who undergo SWL may need regular follow-up of blood pressure.