Renal embolization for ablation of function in renal failure and hypertension.

The results of transcatheter renal artery embolization are presented in a small group of patients with end-stage renal disease. Five of the patients were suffering from severe drug-resistant hypertension, one from rejection of a renal transplant and one had heavy haematuria from a transplant kidney. All seven patients benefited from the procedure with no significant morbidity. The procedure of renal artery embolization and its potential complications are discussed. It is concluded that renal ablation by transcatheter embolization is not only effective, but also has a significantly lower morbidity and mortality than surgical nephrectomy in this group of patients with end-stage renal disease and associated problems.