Long-term survival after surgical revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery disease

We analyzed the long-term clinical outcome and survival after surgical revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

The study group comprised 222 patients who underwent surgical revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis between 1974 and 1987. The indications for performing surgical revascularization were treatment of hypertension in 60 patients, preservation of renal function in 12, and control of hypertension and preservation of renal function in 148. Postoperative blood pressure, renal function and survival data were analyzed during a mean followup of 7.4 years.

There were 5 operative deaths (2.2%) and postoperative thrombosis or stenosis of the repaired renal artery occurred in 16 patients (7.3%). Long-term cure or improvement of renovascular hypertension was achieved in 72.4% of patients. Preoperative renal function correlated significantly with a favorable blood pressure response to surgical revascularization (p = 0.013). Long-term improvement or stabilization of renal function was achieved in 71.3% of patients. Preoperative renal function (p = 0.034) and bilateral atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (p = 0.04) correlated significantly with a favorable renal function result after surgical revascularization. Actuarial 5 and 10-year survivals for the entire series from the time of surgical revascularization were 81 and 53%, respectively. The expected 5 and 10-year survivals for a comparable healthy population are 89 and 77%, respectively. Using a multivariate analysis, factors correlating with diminished long-term survival were age older than 60 years (p = 0.002), coronary artery disease (p = 0.031), and previous vascular operations (p = 0.001).

These data support the long-term therapeutic efficacy of surgical revascularization in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. The merits of newer forms of therapy, such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and endovascular stenting, must ultimately be weighed against these results.