PURPOSE: Thoracic aortorenal bypass is a new technique for surgical renal revascularization in patients with severe atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta. In such cases, the thoracic aorta is often free of disease. METHODS: From 1989 to 1992, thoracic aortorenal bypass was performed in 23 patients with hypertension, abdominal aortic atherosclerosis, and celiac artery stenosis; in 21 patients, renal artery stenosis was present bilaterally or in a solitary kidney. RESULTS: There was one operative death. Among the remaining 22 patients, hypertension was cured or improved after operation in 19 (86%), and renal function was improved or stable in 21 (95%). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aortorenal bypass has several advantages and is a useful alternative to abdominal aortic replacement in selected older patients who require renal arterial reconstruction.
PURPOSE: Thoracic aortorenal bypass is a new technique for surgical renal revascularization in patients with severe atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta. In such cases, the thoracic aorta is often free of disease. METHODS: From 1989 to 1992, thoracic aortorenal bypass was performed in 23 patients with hypertension, abdominal aortic atherosclerosis, and celiac artery stenosis; in 21 patients, renal artery stenosis was present bilaterally or in a solitary kidney. RESULTS: There was one operative death. Among the remaining 22 patients, hypertension was cured or improved after operation in 19 (86%), and renal function was improved or stable in 21 (95%). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aortorenal bypass has several advantages and is a useful alternative to abdominal aortic replacement in selected older patients who require renal arterial reconstruction.