Ischaemic nephropathy: can we preserve renal function?

Atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the renal arteries or ischaemic nephropathy represents a frequent cause of progressive renal failure and is often amenable to therapy. Newer, non-invasive diagnostic studies are now available to identify patients with potentially correctable renovascular disease and avoid the risks of aortic cannulation or contrast nephrotoxicity. Before preceding with an intervention, careful assessment of the risks vs benefits of revascularisation are mandatory and intervention should be considered primarily for management of refractory hypertension or progressive renal dysfunction.