Renal Artery Stent Placement: Indications and Results

Although revascularization of renal artery stenosis (RAS) from fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) generally yields satisfying outcomes, traditional approaches to revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) have been suboptimal because of the invasiveness, relatively high perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of surgery, and the low rates of technical success and long-term patency with percutaneous renal balloon angioplasty (PTA). Endovascular stents have been deployed for failed PTA (unsatisfactory results or complications) and treatment of restenotic lesions. Compared to PTA, primary stenting of ostial ARAS gives superior technical success rates greater than 95% and improved long-term patency. Curing hypertension after RAS revascularization is rare (< 10%). Improved control with fewer medications is a more realistic goal. Renal function as judged by serum creatinine improves in 20% to 30%, stabilizes in 40% to 60%, and deteriorates in 20% to 30% of patients whose renal function is impaired initially. One study demonstrated successful stenting slowed the rate of progression of renal failure in 89% of patients whose serum creatinine was less than 400 mol/L. Complications of renal artery stenting may be substantial, though procedure-related mortality is low. Patient selection for renal revascularization remains controversial. Those with renovascular disease and uncontrolled hypertension, progressive renal failure, or recurrent flash pulmonary edema should be carefully considered for renal artery stenting in experienced centers.