Are simultaneous aortic reconstruction and renal revascularization safe and effective?

Between 1983 and 1989, 40 patients with uncontrollable hypertension underwent renal revascularization. Of these, 21 patients had simultaneous aortic and renal revascularization. Eleven of the 21 patients (52.4%) had renal insufficiency with a mean creatinine clearance of 0.61 +/- 0.23 ml/sec. Eleven patients had an aortic aneurysm; the remaining 10 patients had aortic occlusive disease of varying severity. Aortic reconstruction was done with either a straight (8 patients) or bifurcated (13 patients) Dacron graft. Renal revascularization was accomplished with either bypass (11 patients) or transaortic endarterectomy (10 patients). One patient died postoperatively secondary to myocardial infarction (operative mortality rate of 4.7%). Among the 11 patients with renal insufficiency the mean creatinine clearance of 0.61 +/- 0.23 ml/sec preoperatively improved to 0.94 +/- 0.30 ml/sec postoperatively (p less than 0.01). In the follow-up period extending to 78 months (mean 39.1 months), one late death occurred. There were no instances of worsening hypertension or deterioration in renal function. Contrary to some previous reports, our results indicate that severe aorto-renal atherosclerosis can be managed with simultaneous aortic reconstruction and renal revascularization at an acceptably low operative risk. In addition, a significant and persisting benefit in both hypertension control and renal dysfunction can be expected after surgery.