PURPOSE: To verify the incidence of treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) in the state of Parana, in a two-year period (1991-92). METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to the 72 vascular surgeons members of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery--Parana Chapter, and to the vascular radiologists with experience in renal artery angioplasty. The questionnaire inquired about cases of RVH treated by surgery or renal artery angioplasty. RESULTS: All 8 vascular radiologists and 38 (52.7%) vascular surgeons returned the questionnaires. Only 18 patients with HRV were treated in Parana: 10 by surgical methods and 8 by renal angioplasty. The annual incidence of treatment of RVH in Parana was estimated to be 0.16 cases per 100,000 adults. CONCLUSION: The incidence of treatment of RVH in Parana is extremely low, due to several factors: unavailability of diagnostic methods, absence of screening programs, and little information in the medical community.