Radiological predictors of response to renovascular reconstructive surgery

The aim of this study was to identify preoperative angiographic criteria which could be used to predict the response to renovascular reconstruction. A cohort of 49 patients who survived for more than 6 months after renovascular reconstruction was studied. All preoperative angiograms were reviewed independently and the renal size, degree of stenosis and the length of the lesion recorded. The response of blood pressure and renal function to surgery were correlated with the angiographic findings. We found that 58% of patients had long-term improvement in blood pressure control, though the response was significantly better where both kidneys were >12 cm in size (82%) compared with when both kidneys were < 12 cm (25%), P < 0.02. The degree of stenosis, while showing a trend towards a better blood pressure response with increasing stenosis, was not a statistically significant factor. None of the angiographic criteria examined could be used to predict the response in renal function. We have shown that the preoperative renal size is the only angiographic factor that may have some role in predicting the response of blood pressure to renovascular reconstruction.