Efficacy and safety of Palmaz stent insertion in the treatment of renal artery stenosis in kidney transplantation.

The aim of this study was to verify the safety and long-term efficacy of Palmaz stent insertion in the treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) in kidney transplantation. Nine of our transplanted patients were submitted to Palmaz stent insertion because of recurrence of renal artery stenosis after previous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or because of severe ostial stenosis. The post-stenting results were excellent in all patients, with a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 3 years. The mean blood pressure (one-third systolic pressure plus two-thirds diastolic pressure) fell from 118.11 +/- 7.44 to 103.21 +/- 9.25 mmHg; P < 0.001. Renal artery peak blood flow velocity as determined by Doppler sonography fell from 352 +/- 73.24 cm/s to 169.8 +/- 23.35 cm/s; P < 0.001. The serum creatinine 1-year after stenting was 1.3 +/- 0.3 mg/dl with a slight reduction with respect to the pre-stenting values (1.5 +/- 0.3 mg/dl; NS). As no complication occurred, we conclude that insertion of the Palmaz stent is a safe and effective way to treat recurrence of artery stenosis or ostial stenosis in renal transplanted patients.