Revascularization for preservation of renal function in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Fifty-one patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease have undergone elective revascularization primarily to preserve renal function. In all patients the blood pressure was well controlled preoperatively with medical therapy and was not an indication for revascularization. The preoperative serum creatinine value was 2.0 mg./dl. or more in 35 patients and less than 2.0 mg./dl. in 16. Vascular reconstruction was technically successful in all patients, with postoperative followup ranging from 4 to 76 months. The current level of over-all renal function is improved in 34 patients (67 per cent), unchanged in 14 (27 per cent) and deteriorated in 3 (6 per cent). In selected patients with atherosclerotic renal artery disease revascularization can achieve preservation or improvement of renal function.