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Purpose: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) for pediatric renovascular hypertension (RVH) secondary to total renal artery occlusion (RAO)., Materials and Methods: From 2011 to 2021, 13 pediatric patients with RVH confirmed with 14 renal artery occlusions were reviewed. The mean age was 11.2 years (range, 4-16 years). Nine occlusions involved main artery occlusion, and 5 involved branch occlusion. Blood pressure ratio (BPR) was defined as the ratio of the actual measured blood pressure (BP) value to the 95th percentile value adjusted for age, sex, and height., Results: PTRA was performed in 9 patients (9/13, 69%). Technical success was achieved in 5 patients (5/9, 56%), with stent placement in 2 children (2/9, 22%). During the 12-month follow-up, restenosis was identified in both of the stent-receiving patients at the 12-month follow-up visit (2/9, 22%). Mean systolic BPR decreased from 1.20 (SD ± 0.07) to 0.96 (SD ± 0.06; P = .003), mean diastolic BPR decreased from 1.19 (SD ± 0.07) to 0.95 (SD ± 0.08; P = .005), and the number of medications required decreased from 3.8 (SD ± 0.8) to 2.4 (SD ± 0.9; P = .052) after PTRA. Subsequent to PTRA, the mean glomerular filtration rate of the occluded kidney improved from 19.5 mL/min (SD ± 12.3) to 36.3 mL/min (SD ± 10.8; P = .007), and the mean longitudinal dimension of the affected kidneys significantly increased from 8.2 cm (SD ± 1.5) to 9.2 cm (SD ± 1.7; P = .006)., Conclusions: Endovascular treatment is often feasible for pediatric patients with RAO, results in acceptable BP control, and preserves renal function., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with selective stenting treating Chinese patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS) due to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)., Background: Endovascular data of patients with RAS caused by FMD are scarce in China., Methods: Clinical data of 105 hypertensive patients with RAS caused by FMD underwent endovascular therapy at a single-site between June 2001 and October 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Baseline blood pressure, use of antihypertensive medications, renal function, and adverse events at a 1-year follow-up were evaluated., Results: The patients were aged between 10 and 64 years (mean age 26.7 ± 8.2 years) and 52 (49.5%) were female. In total, 105 patients undergoing endovascular therapy involving 124 RASs. Thirty (24.2%), sixty-four (51.6%), and thirty (24.2%) RASs were multifocal, unifocal, and tubular types, respectively. Ninety-four (89.5%) and eleven (10.5%) patients underwent PTA alone and PTA plus stenting, respectively. The technical success rate for endovascular therapy was 95.2% (100/105) without severe complications. During 1-year follow-up (n = 100), the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 157.6 ± 17.5 and 102.3 ± 14.2 to 129.6 ± 12.3 and 81.3 ± 11.1 mmHg, respectively, and the number of antihypertensive medications reduced from 2.2 ± 1.2 to 0.8 ± 1.0 (all p < .001). The cure rate and improved rate of blood pressure was 49.0 and 40.0%, respectively. The serum creatinine levels remained stable. The primary and secondary restenosis rate was 13.4 and 5.8%, respectively., Conclusion: Endovascular therapy for treating RAS caused by FMD was technically safe and effective for reducing blood pressure in Chinese patients., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Renal artery (RA) stenosis has been implicated in the pathophysiological mechanism for resistant hypertension. Despite the increasingly diagnosed frequency of hemodynamically significant lesions, the value of RA revascularization remains controversial. Our group had previously demonstrated significant blood pressure (BP) reduction in a retrospective cohort of appropriately selected patients undergoing RA stenting up to 18-months of follow-up. We herein present long-term clinical outcomes data 5-years post revascularization on 26 subjects who continued follow-up at our institution., Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on subjects who underwent RA stenting at our institution for hemodynamically significant (≥70%) RA stenosis and systolic hypertension on ≥3 antihypertensive agents. Clinical outcome data for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), creatinine level and number of antihypertensive drugs was assessed prior to and then later at 6-12 months and 3-5 years post RA stenting., Results: Mean age was 69 ± 9 years; 27% (7/26) were male. Median follow-up was 5.1 years. Blood pressure reduction was sustained at long-term follow-up (135/70 ± 18/11 mmHg) compared to initial reduction noted at 6-months (136/69 ± 16/8 mmHg; p ≤0.01 for both) and from baseline (162/80 ± 24/18 mmHg; p ≤0.001 for both). The number of antihypertensive agents also decreased from 4.1 ± 1.0 to 2.7 ± 2.1 (p = 0.002) at 6-months and was sustained at long-term follow-up, 3.4 ± 1.2 (p = 0.03) with no difference in renal function between short- and long-term follow-up compared to baseline., Conclusions: This study shows sustained benefit of RA stenting in BP reduction in an appropriately selected cohort with significant stenosis ≥70% and uncontrolled hypertension on multiple medications on long-term follow-up., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Renal artery stenosis may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of secondary hypertension, renal dysfunction, and flash pulmonary edema. Currently correction of renal arterial inflow stenosis is reserved for resistant hypertension patients who have failed maximal medical therapy, have worsening renal function and/or unexplained proximal congestive failure. With the recent advances in minimally invasive percutaneous stent placement techniques, open surgical revascularization has been largely replaced by renal artery stenting. The potential benefit of revascularization seemed intuitive; however, the initial enthusiasm and rise in the number of percutaneous interventions have been tempered by many subsequent negative randomized clinical trials that failed to prove the proposed benefits of the percutaneous intervention. The negative randomized trial results have fallen under scrutiny due to trial design concerns and inconsistent outcomes of these studies compared to pivotal trials undertaken under US Food and Drug Administration scrutiny. Treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery occlusive disease has become one of the most debatable topics in the field of vascular disease. The results from recent randomized clinical trials of renal artery stenting have basically limited the utilization of the procedure in many centers, but not every clinical scenario was covered in those trials. There are potential areas for improvement focusing mainly on procedural details and patient selection with respect to catheter based treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. We believe, limiting patient selection, enrollment criteria and outcomes measured functioned to reduce the benefit of renal artery stenosis stenting by not enrolling patients likely to benefit. Future studies incorporating potential procedural improvements and that include patients more likely to benefit from renal stenting than were included in ASTRAL and CORAL are needed to more carefully examine specific patient subgroups so that "the baby is not thrown out with the bath water." We also discuss several other concerns related to renal artery stenting which include diagnostic, procedure, indication, and reimbursement issues.

Background: The indications for conservative "best medical treatment" (BMT) versus additional renal artery stenting are a matter of ongoing debate. The RADAR study aimed to evaluate the impact of percutaneous renal artery stenting on the impaired renal function in patients with hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS)., Methods: RADAR is an international, prospective, randomized (1:1) controlled study comparing BMT alone versus BMT plus renal artery stenting in patients with duplex sonographic hemodynamically relevant RAS. Follow-up assessments were at 2, 6, and 12 months and at 3 years. The primary endpoint was change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 12 months., Results: Due to slow enrollment, RADAR was terminated early after inclusion of 86 of the scheduled 300 patients (28.7%). Change in eGFR between baseline and 12 months was 4.3 ± 15.4 ml/min/1.73 m 2 (stent group) and 3.0 ± 14.9 ml/min/1.73 m 2 (BMT group), p > 0.999. Clinical event rates were low with a 12-month composite of cardiac death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure of 2.9% in the stent and 5.3% in the BMT group, p = 0.526, and a 3-year composite of 14.8% and 12.0%, p = 0.982. At 3 years, target vessel (re-)vascularization occurred in one patient (3.0%) in the stent group and in 8 patients (29.4%) in the BMT group., Conclusion: In RADAR, outcomes of renal artery stenting were similar to BMT. These results have to be interpreted with the caveat that the study did not reach its statistically based sample size., Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00640406. Registered on 17 March 2008.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of drug-eluting stents (DES) compared to bare metal stents (BMS) for the endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS)., Methods and Results: We retrospectively evaluated all of our endovascular BMS and DES implantations performed in de novo ARAS between 2000 and 2014 at our institution. The occurrence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) detected by ultrasound or angiography, kidney function, blood pressure (BP), and the number of antihypertensive drugs were analysed as endpoints. Overall, 338 renal arteries were treated in 298 patients. BMS were implanted in 163 (48%), and DES in 175 lesions (52%). Of the 175 lesions treated with DES, 55 (31%) were treated with a BMS-in-DES hybrid technique. For reasons of comparability, only lesions treated with balloon sizes of 4-6.5 mm were included in the final analysis. After 12 months, the rate of ISR >50% was 18.6% in the BMS group and 7.2% in the DES group (p=0.031). None of the BMS-in-DES-treated (hybrid) lesions developed ISR (hybrid technique vs. BMS only p=0.008, hybrid technique vs. DES only p=0.034). Systolic BP and number of antihypertensive drugs remained unchanged in the BMS group but declined in the DES group (p=0.02). Renal function significantly deteriorated in the BMS group (p=0.03) but did not change significantly in the DES group (p=0.188)., Conclusions: DES were superior to BMS in preventing ISR. Overall, the BMS-in-DES-technique (hybrid) achieved the lowest risk for ISR.

Background: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) has a high prevalence in older patients, especially in the context of general atherosclerosis. It is frequently associated with resistant hypertension and impaired renal function and their attendant consequences. The issue whether revascularization via percutaneous renal angioplasty and stenting (PRA/S) can benefit these patients remains unsettled., Objective: To present a case series of patients with refractory hypertension and RAS undergoing PRA/S and also to provide an extensive review of the literature on the current status of PRA/S for resistant hypertension., Methods: Data of all consecutive patients undergoing PRA/S by a single operator over 1 year were prospectively collected. These were 9 patients with hypertension refractory to drug therapy who also had other clinical cardiac problems that led to their hospitalization, including flash pulmonary edema and coronary artery disease. They were all receiving ≥3 antihypertensive drugs and renal angiography revealed critical RAS (unilateral in 3 and bilateral in 6). In addition, an extensive literature review of the topic was carried out in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar., Results: PRS was successful in all 9 high-risk RAS patients with resistant hypertension (5 men, mean age 71 years) without complications and helped in bringing under control their elevated blood pressure (BP) and in maintaining their renal function over a mean of 21 months. Literature review of this controversial topic indicates that in carefully selected patients, PRA/S may play an important role in controlling BP, alleviating symptoms and perhaps preventing renal failure, albeit without concrete evidence of significantly affecting hard end-points of renal events, major cardiovascular events and death. Randomized controlled studies (RCTs), including a large one (CORAL trial), although heavily criticized, have not provided evidence in favor of revascularization. Although RCTs are rather neutral, a multitude of prospective, observational cohort studies, comparing the outcomes of patients after PRA/S have demonstrated significant improvement in systolic and diastolic BP in about two thirds and improvement and/or stabilization in renal function in 30-40% of patients undergoing PRA/S. Nevertheless, the issue remains unsolved and a subject of future studies for further more definitive settlement. Suggestions have been made to adopt physiological and functional renal lesion assessment that may enhance patient selection, at least for RAS cases of moderate lesion severity. Based on this small case series and on exhaustive literature review, an algorithm for approaching patients with significant RAS is herein proposed., Conclusion: In high-risk RAS patients with truly resistant hypertension, flash pulmonary edema, and/or rapid deterioration of renal function, PRA/S, a procedure with currently high technical success, may constitute the only viable option. Importantly, despite the unfavorable results of RCTs, current guidelines have not yet changed and clinicians should continue to abide by them. They recommend PRA/S as a reasonable option for patients with hemodynamically significant (especially ostial) RAS and uncontrolled, resistant or malignant hypertension, recurrent, unexplained congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema or unstable angina., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of renal artery stent combined with optimal medical therapy as treatment for renal artery stenosis., Research Design and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis received percutaneous renal artery stent because of poorly controlled hypertension or preservation of renal function. The patients also received optimal medical therapy to achieve the blood pressure, lipid and blood glucose targets., Main Outcome Measures: All patients underwent a 12 month follow-up to observe the effect of the procedure on blood pressure control, number of antihypertensive medications and creatinine level., Results: Stents were placed in 185 renal arteries of 149 patients. Mean stenosis was 83.1 ± 7.0%. The success rate of renal artery stent was 99.3%. At 12 months, estimated glomerular filtration rate increased significantly compared with baseline (84.1 ± 28.8 vs. 76.5 ± 22.50 ml/min ×1.73 m 2 , p < 0.05). Both office blood pressure and 24 hour blood pressure significantly decreased compared with baseline (from 153/83 mmHg to 134/73 mmHg and from 143/80 mmHg to 124/69 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05), and less antihypertensive medication was taken compared with baseline (1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 2.2 ± 0.9; p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Renal artery stent combined with optimal medical therapy as a treatment has a beneficial effect on blood pressure control and estimated glomerular filtration rate in selected patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. Larger studies with a longer follow-up appear necessary to further confirm these intriguing findings.

Objectives: Renal artery (RA) stenting can improve control of hypertension yet predicting clinical response remains difficult. We sought to determine the role of the renal frame count (RFC) (number of angiographic frames for contrast to reach distal renal parenchyma after initial RA opacification) as a predictor of improvement in blood pressure (BP) after RA stenting., Methods: Renal flow was quantified in 68 consecutive patients (age 72.5 ± 9.1 years, 72% male) undergoing RA stenting for refractory hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg despite treatment with two or more antihypertensive medications) by measuring RFC pre-RA stenting. Significant renal artery stenosis (RAS) was defined as a stenosis ≥ 70% by visual estimation on angiography. Baseline and 6-month follow-up BP was recorded. Clinical response was defined by a drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP) >10 mm Hg on the same or fewer number of anti-hypertensive medications., Results: Patients with RFC > 30 had SBP reduction (43.2 ± 25.7 mm Hg vs. 30.1 ± 31.3 mm Hg, P = 0.067), diastolic blood pressure reduction (9.1 ± 19.0 vs. -0.2 ± 13.4 mm Hg, P = 0.02), and mean arterial pressure reduction (23.8 ± 19.4 vs. 11.8 ± 16.1 mm Hg, P < 0.001) compared to patients with RFC ≤ 30. Furthermore, baseline RFC >30 was associated with a higher rate of clinical response to RA stenting (93.5% vs. 73%, P = 0.027)., Conclusions: RFC can be used as a clinical predictor of response to RA stenting. RFC > 30 was associated with reduction in BP after RA stenting and was predictive of clinical response. RFC provides a useful intraprocedural tool in assessing the severity of RAS and predicts the likelihood of clinical response following RA stenting., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Endovascular techniques used in the management of renal artery stenosis (RAS) have unique complications, to include stent facture, thrombosis, aneurysm formation, migration, and in-stent restenosis. Described here is an unusual complication of renal artery obstruction and recurrent hypertension without progressive loss of renal function, secondary to intermittent arterial kinking with respiratory and cardiac motion in a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia. This mechanical complication has implication not only in successful endovascular treatment of RAS, but raises questions regarding the alterations in dynamic motion with the cardio-respiratory cycle in stented visceral arteries in other vascular pathologies requiring renal artery stenting (i.e., juxtarenal or pararenal aortic aneurysms)., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: This study aims to observe and analyze the clinical efficacy of interventional therapy for patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) experiencing renovascular hypertension (RH)., Methods: Eight TA patients with RH underwent percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRAS). Patients were followed up 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively for levels of blood pressure, number of antihypertensive drugs being taken, levels of serum creatinine, and the presence of renal artery restenosis., Results: All 8 patients were successfully followed up 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, but 1 was lost to follow-up at 24 months. All patients had significantly lower average blood pressure levels compared with those at baseline (P < 0.05); treatment efficacy rates (recovery or improvement) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months were 94%, 90%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. The average number of antihypertensive drugs being taken was 3.5 at baseline, 1.0 at 1 month, 0.5 at 6 months, 1.0 at 12 months, and 1.5 at 24 months. Serum creatinine levels during the follow-up period were not significantly different from those at the baseline. No patient developed renal artery restenosis during the follow-up period., Conclusions: PTRAS is a safe and effective treatment for TA-associated RH, with a high technical success rate and a low complication rate. This interventional therapy can effectively control TA-related hypertension and can also preserve and even improve kidney function., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The patients with renovascular disease are at increased risk for adverse cardiac outcomes. Recent trials comparing medical therapy alone to medical therapy with stenting are flawed, but lay to rest any existing debate that unselected revascularization is unwarranted; however, revascularization may be appropriate in high-risk populations. Defining an appropriate population for revascularization is an area of ongoing study. Furthermore, delivery of optimal medical therapy in this population is inadequate. This review describes recent developments in renal artery revascularization.

Background: In selected patients with hypertension, renal artery (RA) stenting is used to treat significant atherosclerotic stenoses. However, blood pressure often remains uncontrolled after the procedure. Although catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) can reduce blood pressure in certain patients with resistant hypertension, there are no data on the feasibility and safety of RDN in stented RA., Methods and Results: We report marked blood pressure reduction after RDN in a patient with resistant hypertension who underwent previous stenting. Subsequently, radiofrequency ablation was investigated within the stented segment of porcine RA, distal to the stented segment, and in nonstented RA and compared with stent only and untreated controls. There were neither observations of thrombus nor gross or histological changes in the kidneys. After radiofrequency ablation of the nonstented RA, sympathetic nerves innervating the kidney were significantly reduced, as indicated by significant decreases in sympathetic terminal axons and reduction of norepinephrine in renal tissue. Similar denervation efficacy was found when RDN was performed distal to a renal stent. In contrast, when radiofrequency ablation was performed within the stented segment of the RA, significant sympathetic nerve ablation was not seen. Histological observation showed favorable healing in all arteries., Conclusions: Radiofrequency ablation of previously stented RA demonstrated that RDN provides equally safe experimental procedural outcomes in a porcine model whether the radiofrequency treatment is delivered within, adjacent, or without the stent struts being present in the RA. However, efficacious RDN is only achieved when radiofrequency ablation is delivered to the nonstented RA segment distal to the stent., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare inflammatory disease affecting the aorta and its major branches. In patients with TA, middle aortic syndrome with aortic and renal artery involvement causes severe hypertension that does not respond well to medical therapy. Currently, the optimal therapeutic options have not been established, and the reported results of different treatments vary widely. We herein present a case of middle aortic syndrome with renovascular hypertension caused by TA in a 12-year-old male treated by an aortic stent and renal autotransplantation as a two-staged procedure.

Background: Renal artery stent revascularization is commonly used for renovascular hypertension. Clinical predictors associated with blood pressure (BP) improvement after renal artery stent revascularization are not well understood., Methods: Patient-level data from 901 patients in five prospective multicenter Food and Drug Administration-approved investigational device exemption studies of renal artery stent revascularization was pooled. BP response was defined as reduction of systolic BP (SBP) by >10 mm Hg. Stent patency was defined within each study. Associations of BP reduction were determined by logistic regression., Results: Of 901 patients, complete outcome information was available in 527. Of these, 212/527 (40%) were male, mean age was 63 ± 13 years, 196/544 (36%) were diabetic and 504/527 (96%) had a SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg at baseline. Compared to baseline, 9-month systolic (164 ± 21 mm Hg vs. 146 ± 22 mm Hg, P < 0.0001) and diastolic (79 ± 13 mm Hg vs. 76 ± 12 mm Hg, P < 0.0001) BP declined significantly. Nine-month stent patency was 90% (305/339). In a univariate analysis, baseline SBP >150 mm Hg (OR = 4.09, CI = 2.74-6.12, P < 0.0001) was positively associated with BP response following renal artery stent revascularization. In a multivariable analysis, baseline SBP remained associated with a positive BP response (OR = 1.76, CI = 1.53-2.03, P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: In the largest pooled dataset of patients treated with renal artery stent revascularization, SBP and DBP were significantly lower at 9-months. Elevated baseline SBP (>150 mm Hg) was strongly associated with BP reduction after the procedure., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) due to atherosclerosis continues to be a major cause of secondary hypertension. It can also lead to renal dysfunction due to ischemic nephropathy. While major clinical trials have emphasized that medical management should be preferred over angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of renal artery stenosis, clinical scenarios continue to raise doubts about the optimal management strategy. Herein, we present two cases that were admitted with hypertensive emergency and renal function deterioration. Medical therapy failed to control the blood pressure and in one patient, renal failure progressed to a point where renal replacement therapy was required. Both patients underwent angioplasty (for >90% stenosis) and stent insertion with successful resolution of stenosis by interventional radiology. Postoperatively, blood pressure gradually decreased with improvement in serum creatinine. Dialysis therapy was discontinued. At 4- and 8-month follow-up, both patients continue to do well with blood pressure readings in the 132-145/70-90 mmHg range. This article highlights the importance of percutaneous interventions in the management of atherosclerotic RAS and calls for heightened awareness and careful identification of candidates who would benefit from angioplasty and stent insertion., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: Secondary interventions for renal artery restenosis (RAS) after renal artery stenting are common, despite limited data about their effectiveness. This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular treatment of recurrent RAS., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent renal artery stenting between 2001 and 2011 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Patients who required secondary interventions were compared with control patients who underwent only primary interventions for RAS. Multivariate regression models were used to identify factors associated with successful outcomes, as measured by changes in blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and number of antihypertensive medications required., Results: Sixty-five secondary (57 patients) renal interventions were undertaken for recurrent RAS associated with progressive hypertension or renal dysfunction and compared with outcomes after 216 primary (180 patients) renal artery stenting procedures. Patients undergoing primary vs secondary interventions did not differ significantly in the number of preoperative antihypertensive medications used, comorbid conditions, or blood pressure. All primary and secondary interventions were performed with stents and showed no difference in procedural complications. At a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 1-128 months), similar improvements in renal function and blood pressure were found between patients undergoing primary and secondary interventions, and there was no difference in rates of restenosis or survival between cohorts. Regression models showed that the use of embolic protection devices was associated with improved renal function after primary (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.8; P < .05) and secondary (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.7-12.5; P < .05) interventions, whereas statin therapy was associated with improved renal (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.2; P < .05) and blood pressure response (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.1-14.9; P < .05) after secondary interventions., Conclusions: Patients undergoing secondary interventions for recurrent RAS have outcomes that are comparable with those for primary interventions. These data suggest that repeated endovascular procedures for RAS can be undertaken with similar expectations for clinical improvement and may be further improved by routine use of embolic protection devices and statin therapy., (Copyright © 2013 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

This is a case report of a 69-year-old female with treatment-resistant severe arterial hypertension despite prior successful percutaneous intervention to both renal arteries for significant renal artery stenoses (stenting of the right and balloon angioplasty of the left renal artery). The office blood pressure was 221/108 mm Hg at baseline. Secondary hypertension was ruled out and catheter-based renal denervation performed (distal to the stent in the right renal artery and in the usual fashion in the left renal artery) without complications. The office blood pressure decreased at 1- and 3-month follow-up to 185/93 mm Hg and 182/95 mm Hg, respectively. This case illustrates the feasibility and potential efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in patients with a renal artery stent, an important finding as persistent hypertension is common in patients despite successful renal artery stenting and currently available trials examining renal denervation have excluded patients with prior renal artery stents., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The aim of our study was to determine a potential relationship between resting translesional pressures ratio (Pd/Pa ratio), renal fractional flow reserve (rFFR) and blood pressure response after renal artery stenting., Methods: Thirty five hypertensive patients (49% males, mean age 64 years) with at least 60% stenosis in angiography, underwent renal artery stenting. Translesional systolic pressure gradient (TSPG), Pd/Pa ratio (the ratio of mean distal to lesion and mean proximal pressures) and hyperemic rFFR - after intrarenal administration of papaverine - were measured before stent implantation. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) were recorded before the procedure and after 6 months. The ABPM results were presented as blood pressure changes in subgroups of patients with normal (≥ 0.9) vs. abnormal (< 0.9) Pd/Pa ratio and normal (≥ 0.8) vs. abnormal (< 0.8) rFFR., Results: Median Pd/Pa ratio was 0.84 (interquartile range 0.79-0.91) and strongly correlated with TSPG (r = -0.89, p < 0.001), minimal lumen diameter (MLD; r = 0.53, p < 0.005) and diameter stenosis (DS; r = -0.51, p < 0.005). Median rFFR was 0.78 (0.72-0.82). Similarly, significant correlation between rFFR and TSPG (r = -0.86, p < 0.0001), as well as with MLD (r = 0.50, p < 0.005) and DS (r = -0.51, p < 0.005) was observed. Procedural success was obtained in all patients. Baseline Pd/Pa ratio and rFFR did not predict hypertension response after renal artery stenting. Median changes of 24-h systolic/diastolic blood pressure were comparable in patients with abnormal vs. normal Pd/Pa ratio (-4/-3 vs. 0/2 mm Hg; p = NS) and with abnormal vs. normal rFFR (-2/-1 vs. -2/-0.5 mm Hg, respectively)., Conclusions: Physiological assessment of renal artery stenosis using Pd/Pa ratio and papaverine- induced renal fractional fl ow reserve did not predict hypertension response after renal artery stenting.

Background: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) causes hypertension (HTN) and threatens renal function (RF). The HERCULES Trial is a prospective, multicenter trial of renal stenting in patients with uncontrolled HTN and ARAS evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the RX Herculink Elite Renal Stent System (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA)., Methods: A total of 202 patients (241 total lesions; 78 bilateral lesions) were enrolled between August 2007 and October 2009. The primary endpoint was 9-month binary restenosis determined by duplex ultrasound and/or angiography. Secondary endpoints included changes in blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, and RF between baseline and 9 months. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured at baseline, 24 hr and 30 days postprocedure., Results: Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline was 162 mm Hg. Nearly 70% of patients were receiving three or more antihypertensive medications (mean 3.4 medications per patient). Baseline serum creatinine was 1.2 ± 0.4 and 61.5% of subjects had estimated glomerular filtration <60. The restenosis rate was 10.5% at 9 months. The study device, procedure, and clinical success rates were 96.0, 99.2, and 98.0%, respectively. Freedom from major adverse events was 94.8%. At 9 months, the mean SBP significantly decreased (mean 145, paired t test P < 0.0001) after stenting with no change in medications. There was no correlation between SBP reduction and baseline BNP or BNP reduction., Conclusions: HERCULES demonstrates clinically and statistically significant SBP reduction in patients with uncontrolled HTN, low in-stent restenosis, and complication rates. This study highlights that when appropriate patients are selected for renal artery stenting, impressive reductions in blood pressure may be anticipated. Although the magnitude of absolute reduction in SBP was related to baseline SBP, elevated baseline BNP levels were not predictive of reduction in SBP. Further studies for predictors of clinical response following percutaneous renal revascularization are needed., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and renal artery stenosis (RAS) following renal artery (RA) stent placement with and without embolic protection device (EPD) usage., Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients who had RA stent placement with EPD were matched to control patients (RA stent only). Blood pressure, number of hypertensive medications, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 3 months before the procedure and after 12 months were determined. An increase of ≥ 20% in eGFR at 12 months from baseline was defined as "improvement," decrease of ≥ 20% as "deterioration," and an eGFR change between those values as "stabilization" at 12 months., Results: At 12 months, stage 4 patients treated with EPD had significantly higher eGFR than controls (P = .01). There was no statistical difference in blood pressure outcomes between the 2 groups., Conclusions: Patients with stage 4 CRI did significantly better with EPD than those treated without it.

Objective: The goal of the study was to determine the blood pressure (BP) response to renal artery stenting (RAS) for patients with hypertension urgency, hypertension emergency, and angina with congestive heart failure (angina/congestive heart failure [CHF])., Methods: Patients who underwent RAS for hypertension emergencies (n = 13), hypertension urgencies (n = 25), and angina/CHF (n = 14) were included in the analysis. By convention, hypertension urgency was defined by a sustained systolic BP ≥ 180 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 120 mm Hg, while the definition of hypertension emergency required the same BP parameters plus hypertension-related symptoms prompting hospitalization. Patient-specific response to RAS was defined according to modified American Heart Association reporting guidelines., Results: The study cohort of 52 patients had a median age of 66 years (interquartile range 58-72). The BP response to RAS varied significantly according to the indication for RAS. Hypertension emergency provided the highest BP response rate (85%), while the response rate was significantly lower for hypertension urgency (52%) and angina/CHF (7%; P = .03). Only 1 of 14 patients with angina/CHF was a BP responder. Multivariate analysis showed that hypertension urgency or emergency were not independent predictors of BP response to RAS. Instead, the only independent predictor of a favorable BP response was the number of preoperative antihypertensive medications (odds ratio 7.5; 95% confidence interval 2.5-22.9; P = .0004), which is another indicator of the severity of hypertension. Angina/CHF was an independent predictor of failure to respond to RAS (odds ratio 118.6; 95% confidence interval 2.8-999.9; P = .013)., Conclusions: Hypertension urgency and emergency are clinical manifestations of severe hypertension, but the number of preoperative antihypertensive medications proved to be a better predictor of a favorable BP response to RAS. In contrast, angina/CHF was a predictor of failure to respond to stenting, providing further evidence against the practice of incidental stenting during coronary interventions., (Copyright © 2012 Society for Vascular Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short and long-term outcomes of percutaneous transluminal intervention in patients with symptomatic renal artery stenosis due to fibromuscular dysplasia (RAFMD) and/or the combination of RAFMD with aorto-ostial atherosclerotic disease., Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients with renal artery RAFMD who underwent transcatheter therapy between January 1999 and December 2009 was performed. Blood pressure (BP) measurement, number of BP medications, and hypertension defined by a systolic BP >140 ± diastolic BP >90 were recorded. Renal function was defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Restenosis was defined by stenosis >60% and was determined by renal artery duplex and/or angiography. Freedom from event (restenosis, renal failure, or recurrent hypertension) was performed using life table analysis., Results: Forty-three procedures were performed on 35 patients with RAFMD. Thirty-two patients (91%) were women, with mean age of 61.9 years old. Technical success was 100% with adjunctive stent placement required in the FMD segment for dissection in 1 patient (2.3%) and in the non-FMD aorto-ostial atherosclerotic lesion in 4 patients (9.3%). Short-term outcomes: the majority (69%) had an immediate clinical benefit for hypertension, 6% were cured without BP medications, and 63% improved with less than or equal to preoperative BP medications. Postintervention, 17% remained at moderately reduced renal function (<60), whereas the percent above >60 mL/minute eGFR increased significantly (from 51% to 69%; P = .002). For the entire cohort, renal function (mean eGFR) significantly increased from 71.9 mL/minute + 5.8 to 80.8 mL/minute + 5.2 (P = .007). Long-term outcomes: freedom from recurrent or worsening hypertension (>140 systolic blood pressure [SBP] and >90 diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) was (93%, 75%, and 41%) and freedom from reduced renal function (eGFR <30 mL/minute) was (100%, 95%, and 64%) at 1, 5, and 8 years, respectively. Patients with reduced baseline renal function (<60 mL/minute) and combined atherosclerotic disease were more likely to experience long-term reduced renal function (eGFR <30 mL/minute; P = .003). Primary and assisted primary patency was (95%, 71%, and 50%) and (100%, 100%, and 100%) at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively., Conclusion: Renal angioplasty is a safe and durable modality for treating RAFMD with favorable short and long-term clinical outcomes. Patients with combined atherosclerotic disease and FMD were older and were more likely to have declining renal function over time. Early intervention may be imperative to achieve possible cure of hypertension., (Copyright © 2012 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To provide safety and performance goals for prospective single-arm trials of bare metal renal artery stenting in patients with resistant hypertension associated with high grade atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis., Background: To date, there have been no US Pre-Market Approval (PMA) bare metal renal stent device trials which have focused on improvement of blood pressure control as a primary effectiveness endpoint., Methods: Analysis of subject-level data from three large industry sponsored pre-market approval (PMA) trials was performed. Hypertensive patients (≥ 155 mmHg) with a ≥ 50% atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis were included. Thirty day and 9-month systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, renal function and 9-month duplex ultrasound assessment of renal artery patency were analyzed., Results: Initial data analysis of 600 patients from the 3 PMA trials identified 286 patients who met inclusion criteria. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure was 177.8 ± 19.3 mmHg with a mean 68.1% diameter renal artery stenosis. Nine months after successful stenting, the mean SBP was 156.7 ± 24.1 mmHg; the 9 month restenosis rate was 14.4%., Conclusion: Based on the statistical modeling of these data and a priori established performance criteria, the co-primary endpoints of 9 month reduction in blood pressure and in-stent restenosis are proposed. The reduction in blood pressure will be analyzed as a continuous variable and will be compared to this performance goal., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent (PTRAS) on hypertension and renal function in elderly patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS)., Methods: The data of elderly ARAS patients as diagnosed by angiography (stenosis ≥ 70%) were retrospectively collected. PTRAS was performed in 65 patients. The average follow-up period was 30.9 months., Results: There were significant decrease in BP (blood pressure, mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) (before: 154 ± 24/ 79 ± 119 vs after: 132 ± 14/69 ± 8; P < 0.01) at Day 3 post-PTRAS and the decrease of BP continued until 36 months after PTRAS. The average category of antihypertensive medication also decreased from 2.3 ± 1.1 to 2.1 ± 1.0. The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) was 9.2%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors of pre-operative diabetes mellitus, GFR ≤ 30 ml×min(-1)·1.73 m(-2), systolic pressure ≥ 180 mm Hg and hydration therapy had a significant relationship with the incidence of CIN (P = 0.0072; OR = 13.51; P = 0.0002; OR = 519.27; P = 0.0134; OR = 13.16 and P = 0.0266; OR = 0.10; respectively). Renal function improved in 9.1%-15.8% of patients, stabilized in 67.3% - 55.3% and deteriorated in 23.4% - 28.9% of patients at Months 12 - 36 post-PTRAS. Logistic regression analysis showed that the diabetics had a higher risk of deteriorating renal function at month 12 post-PTRAS (P = 0.0277; OR = 6.32). The restenosis rate was 13.8%., Conclusion: PTRAS is beneficial in the control of blood pressure in elderly ARAS patients within 36 months after operation. The post-PTRAS improvement of renal function in elderly patients is limited.

Background: The purpose of the current study was to identify clinical and kidney morphologic features that predict a favorable blood pressure (BP) response to renal artery stenting (RAS)., Methods: The study cohort consisted of 149 patients who underwent primary RAS over 9 years. Patients were categorized as "responders" based on modified American Heart Association guidelines: BP <160/90 mm Hg on fewer antihypertensive medications or diastolic BP <90 mm Hg on the same medications. All other patients were deemed "nonresponders." Renal volume was estimated as kidney length × width × depth/2 based on preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance scans. Median follow-up was 19 months (interquartile range [IQR] 10.0-29.5 months)., Results: The median age of the cohort was 68 years (IQR, 60-74 years). A favorable BP response was observed in 50 of 149 patients (34%). Multivariate analysis identified three independent predictors of a positive BP response: (1) requirement for four or more medications (odds ratio, 29.9; P = .0001), (2) preoperative diastolic BP >90 mm Hg (OR, 31.4; P = .0011), and (3) preoperative clonidine use (OR, 7.3; P = .029). The BP response rate varied significantly based on the number of predictors present per patient (P < .0001). Among patients with three-drug hypertension, a larger ipsilateral kidney (volume ≥150 cm(3)) increased the BP response rate more than threefold compared with patients with smaller kidneys (63% vs 18% BP response rate; P = .018)., Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that three clinical predictors (≥4 antihypertensive medications, diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, and clonidine use) are preoperative predictors of BP response to RAS. Kidney volume may help in discriminating responders from nonresponders among those patients with three-drug hypertension. These parameters may assist clinicians in patient selection and provide more concrete data with which to counsel patients on the likely outcomes for RAS., (Published by Mosby, Inc.)

Background: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Renal stenting has become the treatment of choice for RAS in most centers. Primary patency of RAS is well defined, but limited data are available on outcomes of secondary interventions for treatment of in-stent restenosis., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a 10-year experience with renal artery stenting in patients presenting with recurrent symptomatic stenosis. End points included freedom from tertiary procedures, change in baseline renal function by ≥20% measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), patency confirmed by duplex imaging, long-term hypertension response, freedom from hemodialysis, and survival., Results: We reviewed 948 patients with 1150 treated renal arteries. Of these, 107 patients (122 renal stents) returned with symptomatic in-stent restenosis and required reintervention (target vessel revascularization [TVR] rate, 10.6%): 97% had recurrent or worsening hypertension, and 67% had worsening renal function. There were 69 women (64%) and 38 men (35%) with an average age of 68.9 years. Mean follow-up was 35.5 months (range, 1.0-104.7 months) for patency and 37.7 months (range, 0.03-100.9 months) for renal function (creatinine). Secondary interventions included 27 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs), 10 PTAs with cutting balloon, 77 repeat renal artery stenting, and 8 placements of drug-eluting stents (DES). Twenty-five of the 122 arteries (20%) required tertiary interventions in 23 patients, a significantly higher TVR rate vs de novo interventions (11%; P = .003). Freedom from tertiary interventions at 60 months was similar among treatment groups undergoing PTA (66%), cutting balloon (100%), stent (80%), and DES (75%; P = .348). Seventeen (16%) had an increase of >20%, 50 (47%) had a decrease of >20%, and 30 (28%) had no change in renal function. Ultimately 25 (23%) remained or progressed to renal failure (eGFR < 30%), and 8 required hemodialysis. The survival rate was 73% at 5 years. Mean follow-up for long-term hypertension response was 3.2 years, with 56% improved, 28% with no improvement or deterioration, 16% without long-term data available, and no patients cured., Conclusions: Secondary interventions for renal in-stent restenosis had higher TVR vs de novo renal stents in this large series (21% vs 11%; P = .003). Definitive recommendations on the best secondary treatment strategy cannot be made because a medical treatment control group was not available for comparison., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Mosby, Inc.)

Spontaneous, isolated focal renal artery dissection is an extremely rare cause of renovascular hypertension. Imaging technology for the renal arteries has evolved recently with the development of multidetector computed tomography angiography (CTA), and intravascular ultrasound. We describe a 52-year-old man with spontaneous renal artery dissection complicated by renovascular hypertension, successfully diagnosed initially with CTA, then evaluated by intravascular ultrasound, and finally, treated successfully with stenting.

Objectives: Renal transplantation is a well-accepted therapeutic option for patients with end stage renal disease. Renal artery stenosis occurring in a transplanted kidney is a potentially serious condition and adversely affects graft survival and prognosis. The objective of this study is to document the immediate and intermediate term clinical results of renal stenting in this rare subset of renal artery stenosis., Background: There is limited data about the effectiveness of renal stenting in transplant renal artery stenosis., Methods: Eight patients, aged between 22 and 51 (42.5 ± 9.25) years, were referred to our tertiary care interventional cardiology services for renal intervention. The diagnosis of transplant renal artery stenosis was based on clinical presentation (uncontrolled hypertension (n = 4, 50%), worsening renal function (n = 3, 37.5%) or flash pulmonary oedema (n = 1, 12.5%)] and Doppler ultrasound., Results: All patients had live donor renal transplant using end to end anastomosis 2 to 11 (6.25 ± 3.24) months prior to intervention. Angiography revealed discrete stenosis at the anastomotic site. Intrarenal stenting performed from femoral access using 6 F accessories produced excellent angiographic results. There were no access site or procedure related complications. The intervention produced excellent immediate and intermediate term clinical results. In three patients, there was stabilization of renal function during 62 ± 9.16 months of follow-up with decrease in serum creatinine by 38.86 ± 6.62 %; P = 0.0476. In four patients with refractory hypertension, excellent blood pressure control was achieved with a reduction in mean blood pressure by 25.95 ± 5.48 mm Hg (from 122.4 ± 5.7 to 96.45 ± 2.45 mm Hg; P = 0.0002) during 65.25 ± 23.79 months follow-up. There was decrease in antihypertensive drug requirement from 3.75 ± 0.5 to 1.75 ± 0.5. During follow-up, Doppler ultrasound documented a high peak systolic velocity in one asymptomatic patient with well controlled blood pressure and preserved renal function. Sustained benefits of percutaneous revascularization were supported by normal Doppler parameters in the remaining patients., Conclusions: Percutaneous renal stenting provides excellent angiographic and clinical results sustained at intermediate term follow-up in patients with symptomatic transplant renal artery stenosis., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stenting has been effective in the control of hypertension, renal function, and pulmonary edema caused by atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. However, the role of the procedure has not been fully established in the context of chronic total occlusion of renal artery. We report the successful use of this procedure in 57-year-old male patient who reported for evaluation of a recent episode of accelerated hypertension. A renal angiogram in this patient showed ostial stenosis of the right renal artery, which was filling by way of the collateral artery. Renal angioplasty for chronic total occlusion of right renal artery was successfully performed in a retrograde fashion through a collateral artery, thereby leading to improvement of renal function and blood pressure control.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease is an increasingly recognized cause of severe hypertension and declining kidney function. Patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease have been demonstrated to have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Over the course of the last two decades renal artery revascularization for treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) has gained great increase via percutaneous techniques. However the efficacy of contemporary revascularization therapies in the treatment of renal artery stenosis is unproven and controversial. The indication for renal artery stenting is widely questioned due to a not yet proven benefit of renal revascularization compared to best medical therapy. Many authors question the efficacy of percutaneous renal revascularization on clinical outcome parameters, such as preservation of renal function and blood pressure control. None of the so far published randomized controlled trials could prove a beneficial outcome of RAS revascularization compared with medical management. Currently accepted indications for revascularization are significant RAS with progressive or acute deterioration of renal function and/or severe uncontrollable hypertension, renal function decline with the use of agents blocking the renin-angiotensin system and recurrent flash pulmonary edema. The key point for success is the correct selection of the patient. This article summarizes the background and the limitations of the so far published and still ongoing controlled trials.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRAS) in treating atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS)., Methods: A total of 69 patients with severe ARAS were treated with PTRAS between January 2002 and December 2008. There were 47 males and 22 females with an average age of 66.2 years (range, 42-88 years), including 66 cases of unilateral ARAS (single functional kidney, 1 case) and 3 cases of bilateral ARAS. Renal angiography revealed that the degree of renal artery stenosis was 70%-99%. Concomitant diseases included hypertension (67 cases), atherosclerosis obliterans (69 cases), coronary heart disease (34 cases), diabetes (44 cases), and hyperlipidemia (36 cases). Blood pressure, serum creatinine (sCr), and patency of the renal artery were measured to assess the effectiveness of PTRAS after 12 months., Results: The renal artery stent was successfully implanted in 68 patients and the technical success rate was 98.6%. One patient was converted to ilio-renal bypass because of intra-operative acute renal artery occlusion. One patient died of heart failure at 6 months after PTRAS, and 1 patient was lost at 3 months after PTRAS. The other 66 patients were followed up 32 months on average (range, 13-60 months). The blood pressure decreased significantly at 1 month and gained a further decrease at 12 months after PTRAS when compared with the preoperative ones [systolic blood pressure: (132 +/- 24) mm Hg vs (163 +/- 34) mm Hg, P < 0.05; diastolic blood pressure: (78 +/- 11) mm Hg vs. (89 +/- 17) mm Hg, P < 0.05; 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa]. Hypertension was cured in 4 cases (6.3%), improved in 52 cases (81.2%), failure in 8 cases (12.5%), and the overall benefit rate was 87.5%. The sCr level was stable after 12 months of PTRAS, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative baseline [(107.8 +/- 35.4) micromol/L vs (104.1 +/- 33.8) micromol/L, P > 0.05]. Renal function was improved in 9 cases (13.6%), stable in 48 cases (72.8%), deterioration in 9 cases (13.6%), and the overall benefit rate was 86.4%. Instant restenosis found in 2 patients (3.0%) at 12 months after operation., Conclusion: PTRAS is a safe and effective method to treat ARAS. It can control the blood pressure and stabilize the renal function in most ARAS patients. Long-term efficacy needs further investigation.

Objectives: To investigate the role of renal stenting in selected patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and renal artery stenosis., Methods: Consecutive patients, with chronic ischemic heart disease and severe hypertension and/or impaired renal function undergoing renal stenting, were prospectively enrolled. Mid-term (at least 2 years) follow-up was performed to assess both changes in renal function [serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR)] and blood pressure (BP) control (number of required drugs) and to record the incidence of clinical major adverse events. Moreover, in the first consecutive 24 patients, out-of-range pressure values at 24-hr BP monitoring and GFR at renal scintigraphy were measured at baseline and 1 month after stenting., Results: Seventy patients treated by stenting on 86 renal arteries entered the study. Procedural success rate was 99% and no major complication occurred. At 2-year follow-up, both mean serum creatinine (-0.1 +/- 0.7 mg/dl at follow-up compared to baseline, P = 0.6) and eGFR (+3.7 +/- 23.5 ml/min/1.73m(2) at follow-up compared to baseline, P = 0.2) did not significantly change while the number of drugs required to control BP significantly decreased (2.7 +/- 0.8 to 2.2 +/- 0.7, P < 0.0001). In the subset of 24 patients evaluated at 1 month, GFR significantly increased (62 +/- 20 ml/min to 67 +/- 21 ml/min; P = 0.008) and the rate of the out-of-range systolic pressure values at 24-hr monitoring significantly decreased (51-33%, P = 0.005). Elevated baseline creatinine values and the presence of global renal ischemia were identified as predictors of poor outcome at the multivariate analysis., Conclusions: In selected patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and hypertension and/or renal insufficiency, renal stenting may be performed with very low periprocedural complications and results in unchanged renal function and improved BP control., ((c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is the most common cause of renal artery stenosis in the adult population. ARAS may result in progressive renal impairment, renovascular hypertension, and/or cardiac disturbance syndromes. Because medical therapy does not affect the progressive nature of this disease process, more aggressive treatments are needed to definitively treat ARAS. When performed correctly, renal artery stenting has been shown to stabilize or improve renal function and/or renovascular hypertension in 65-70% of carefully selected patients with ARAS. Therefore, percutaneous renal artery stenting should be considered the primary treatment for patients with symptomatic ARAS., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Although technical success of renal artery stenting (RAS) is high and adverse events are infrequent, clinical success (improved blood pressure and renal function) and durability have been less predictable. Identifying those patients who will respond to RAS could improve overall outcomes of the procedure., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent RAS for treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) between 2001 and 2007 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The primary outcome measure was blood pressure improvement or cure as judged by American Heart Association criteria. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), number of antihypertensive medications, and survival were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with blood pressure improvement at the last follow-up., Results: During the 6-year period, 129 patients (179 renal arteries) underwent stent placement for RVH. Procedural complications occurred nine patients (7.0%). Average length follow-up was 1.5 years. Follow-up data were obtained in 122 patients (95%). At last follow-up, there were significant improvements in systolic blood pressure (161 vs 144 mm Hg, P < .001), diastolic blood pressure (80 vs 73 mm Hg, P < .001), and number of antihypertensive medications (3.1 vs 2.8, P = .034). The eGFR was improved in 16% of patients, stable in 60%, and worse in 24%. By multivariate analysis, a baseline eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2 (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.9; P = .02) and female gender (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1; P = .04) were independent predictors of failure to achieve blood pressure improvement. By 2 and 4 years of follow-up, sustained blood pressure improvement was present in 67% of patients with a baseline eGFR of > or = 40 mL/min/1.73 m2 and in 31% of patients with a baseline eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2. During 2 years of follow-up, survival was similar between patients with sustained blood pressure response and those without., Conclusion: Patients treated for RVH who have a baseline eGFR of > or = 40 mL/min/1.73 m2 demonstrate a better response to RAS at each follow-up interval, with a significant difference at 2 to 4 years, compared with patients with an eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2., (Copyright 2010. Published by Mosby, Inc.)

The objective of this study was to analyze the use of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) placement for the treatment of renal artery in-stent restenosis (RA-ISR). The optimal treatment of RA-ISR has not been fully elucidated to date. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients from our institution who underwent treatment of RA-ISR with a SES from May 2004 to June 2006. Using duplex ultrasound, RA-ISR (> 60% diameter) was determined by peak systolic velocity (PSV) > 300 cm/s and renal aortic ratio (RAR) > 4.0. Renal function (creatinine) and blood pressure were measured at baseline and follow-up. SESs were implanted in 16 patients (22 renal arteries) during the study period. The study cohort was predominantly female (75%) with a mean age of 68 +/- 12 years. RA-ISR was treated with SESs with a mean diameter of 3.5 mm and mean length of 17.9 +/- 3.8 mm. The mean post-dilation balloon diameter was 4.8 +/- 0.6. The baseline renal artery PSV was 445 +/- 131 cm/s with a mean RAR of 5.0 +/- 1.6. Follow-up information was available in 21 renal arteries. During a median follow-up of 12 months (range: 9-15 months), 15 renal arteries (71.4%) developed recurrence of ISR by ultrasonographic criteria. Univariate analysis revealed that female sex was an independent predictor of recurrence of ISR after SES implantation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, placement of a SES for the treatment of ISR in renal arteries is associated with high initial technical success but significant restenosis on duplex ultrasonography at follow-up.

A 57-year-old man presented with renovascular hypertension with chronic kidney disease. 16-Multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) showed that the left renal artery was totally occluded and the left kidney was atrophied. The left atrophied kidney was hormonally active despite the desolation of glomerular filtration function. Percutaneous renal revascularization was successful for stenting this lesion. The renin activity in the left renal vein was decreased immediately after the procedure. He remained healthy with adequate blood pressure for three years. In this case, MDCT and renal vein renin measurement provided useful information for the decision to perform percutaneous renal revascularization.