PURPOSE: We studied the effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) on renal function in azotemic patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. METHODS: The results of PTRA were analyzed retrospectively in 40 patients. There were 61 stenoses, 54 of which received balloon angioplasty; 7 had stent placement during the initial procedure, 6 for recurrent stenosis 6-18 months after PTRA. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 95% of cases. The complication rate was 15%, compared to 6% in nonazotemic patients. Mean creatinine rose from 1.9 +/- 0.15 mg/dl (mean +/- SEM) to 2.4 +/- 0.17 mg/dl during the year before PTRA, stabilizing at 2.5 +/- 0.57 mg/dl for 1 year after PTRA. PTRA was clinically successful in 60% of patients; 40% showed further deterioration of renal function. Clinical failure was associated with residual renal artery stenosis and presence of intermittent claudication. CONCLUSION: We conclude that PTRA helps salvage renal function in patients with azotemia and atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.
PURPOSE: We studied the effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) on renal function in azotemic patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. METHODS: The results of PTRA were analyzed retrospectively in 40 patients. There were 61 stenoses, 54 of which received balloon angioplasty; 7 had stent placement during the initial procedure, 6 for recurrent stenosis 6-18 months after PTRA. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 95% of cases. The complication rate was 15%, compared to 6% in nonazotemic patients. Mean creatinine rose from 1.9 +/- 0.15 mg/dl (mean +/- SEM) to 2.4 +/- 0.17 mg/dl during the year before PTRA, stabilizing at 2.5 +/- 0.57 mg/dl for 1 year after PTRA. PTRA was clinically successful in 60% of patients; 40% showed further deterioration of renal function. Clinical failure was associated with residual renal artery stenosis and presence of intermittent claudication. CONCLUSION: We conclude that PTRA helps salvage renal function in patients with azotemia and atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.