Long-term follow-up of renal function and blood pressure after selective renal arterial embolization

Renal arterial embolization is a minimally invasive alternative to the surgical treatment of certain renal diseases. The authors aimed to determine the safety of the procedure with respect to renal function and blood pressure control.

This study was a retrospective review of the charts of patients who underwent therapeutic renal arterial embolization between January 1998 and December 2007. Indications for therapeutic renal artery embolizations included either treatment or prevention of renal hemorrhage. Exclusion criteria were total/ partial nephrectomy or dialysis prior to renal artery embolization and lack of appropriate follow-up.

A total of 115 procedures were reviewed, and 41 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 63 ± 18.87 years. Median follow-up was 13.0 months. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the study population changed from 55.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at baseline to 56.63 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at last available follow up (P = .67). At baseline, 22 patients (53.7%) in this study group were hypertensive. Postprocedure, 9 patients required either the initiation of antihypertensive therapy or additional antihypertensive agents. Preexisting renal dysfunction (GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) at baseline did not appear to influence these outcomes.

Renal arterial embolization appears to be a safe procedure with respect to renal function. However, these patients should have close surveillance of their blood pressures to detect either the onset of hypertension or worsening of preexisting hypertension.