Post-transplant renal artery stenosis: impact of therapy on long-term kidney function and blood pressure control

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the long-term outcome of different treatment methods for transplant renal artery stenosis.

Materials and methods: Outcome data for 23 patients with transplant renal artery stenosis treated during a 16-year period were reviewed and analyzed.

Results: There was a higher incidence of renal artery stenosis in cadaveric donor kidneys compared to living donor kidneys (2% versus 0.3%, p < 0.02), and in cadaveric kidneys from pediatric donors less than 5 years old compared to those from adults (13.2% versus 1.3%, p < 0.01). Six patients underwent primary medical treatment for renal artery stenosis, with a successful outcome in 4 (mean followup plus or minus standard error 57 +/- 22 months) and failure in 2. Of the patients 16 were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, including 12 who were cured or improved with respect to hypertension (followup 44.7 +/- 7.6 months). Five patients underwent surgical revascularization for renal artery stenosis with postoperative improvement of hypertension (followup 18.8 +/- 11.6 months). Overall, 21 of 23 patients (91%) were treated successfully for transplant renal artery stenosis with cure or improvement of associated hypertension. Posttreatment renal function was stable or improved in 18 patients, while renal function deteriorated due to parenchymal disease in 3.

Conclusions: Most patients with transplant renal artery stenosis can be treated successfully. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is the initial interventive treatment of choice for high grade renal artery stenosis. Surgical revascularization is indicated if percutaneous transluminal angioplasty cannot be done or is unsuccessful.