Clinical experience with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of stenotic renal arteries

During an 18-month period, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed in 66 patients who had renal artery stenosis. All of the patients were hypertensive, and 12 were in renal failure. Of 52 patients with renovascular hypertension in whom dilatation was achieved, 23 (44%) are cured and 25 (48%) are improved. Four (8%) did not respond to attempted dilatation. Of the 12 patients in renal failure, two (17%) are now out of failure, seven (58%) are stable, and one (8%) is slowly deteriorating after an initial favorable response. Significant complications were noted in two patients (17%) in this group. While the initial results are promising, a long-term study of this technique is indicated.