Juxtarenal aortic atherosclerosis. Surgical experience and functional result.

Ninety patients underwent combined aortic (90) and renal artery (138 arteries) reconstruction for severe, symptomatic aortic occlusive disease (47 patients), aortic aneurysmal disease (30 patients), and visceral atherosclerosis (13 patients). Transaortic endarterectomy was used for 67% of renal artery reconstructions and 69% of visceral arteries. Aortic reconstruction required prosthetic grafting in 74%. A standard transabdominal approach was used in 72 of 90 patients (80%), and thoraco-retroperitoneal exposure was necessary in 18 patients. Perioperative mortality was 9% (8/90) and morbidity 16% (14/90). Ninety per cent of the patients were evaluated at long-term (mean 32 months). Hypertension was cured or improved at discharge in 82% (59/72), and in 96% hypertension improvement was sustained during the follow-up interval. Renal function was improved or preserved in 93% (40/43) at discharge, and this response was sustained in 84% during the follow-up period. Late mortality (8/74, 11%) was lower than expected and is attributed to the technique of combined repair, the cure and control of hypertension, the prevention of ongoing renal ischemia, and the preservation of renal function.