Efficacy and safety of Palmaz stent insertion in the treatment of renal artery stenosis in kidney transplantation

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify the safety and long‐term efficacy of Palmaz stent insertion in the treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) in kidney transplantation. Nine of our transplanted patients were submitted to Palmaz stent insertion because of recurrence of renal artery stenosis after previous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or because of severe ostial stenosis. The post‐stenting results were excellent in all patients, with a follow‐up period ranging from 1 to 3 years. The mean blood pressure (one‐third systolic pressure plus two‐thirds diastolic pressure) fell from 118.11 ± 7.44 to 103.21 ± 9.25 mm Hg; P < 0.001. Renal artery peak blood flow velocity as determined by Doppler sonography fell from 352 ± 73.24 cm/s to 169.8 ± 23.35 cm/s; P < 0.001. The serum creatinine 1‐year after stenting was 1.3 ± 0.3 mg/dl with a slight reduction with respect to the prestenting values (1.5 ± 0.3 mg/dl; NS). As no complication occurred, we conclude that insertion of the Palmaz stent is a safe and effective way to treat recurrence of artery stenosis or ostial stenosis in renal transplanted patients.     

同种异体肾移植术后移植肾动脉狭窄 介入治疗的临床疗效分析

目的探讨同种异体肾移植术后移植肾动脉狭窄（TRAS）介入治疗的临床疗效。方法介入治疗同种异体肾移植术后TRAS患者22例,其中单纯球囊扩张治疗10例（球囊组）,内支架治疗12例（支架组）。对所有患者术前及术后2年内血压、肾功能以及生活质量进行评估,并与同期接受单纯药物治疗的6例TRAS患者（药物组）进行比较。结果球囊组技术成功率90.00%,支架组技术成功率100%。术后在血压及肾功能改善方面,球囊组和支架组均取得显著疗效,两组近期疗效未见明显差异,药物组疗效不满意。术后随访6个月～2年,支架组再狭窄率16.67%,除1例不明原因治疗无效外,其余11例均能比较健康的生活和工作。球囊组手术失败1例,再狭窄率达40.00%。结论内支架植入术可作为TRAS特别是I型及Ⅱ型狭窄的首选治疗方法。     

Endovascular revascularization of renal artery stenosis: technical and clinical results

PURPOSE: The natural history of renal artery stenosis is progression with subsequent deterioration of kidney function and development of renovascular hypertension. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty is effective in the treatment of nonostial lesions but less effective for ostial stenoses. Because of the poor technical success experienced with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty, stenting of ostial stenoses is becoming the standard of endovascular care. In this retrospective study we analyzed the technical and clinical outcomes after renal artery stenting in 73 consecutive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 1992 to January 1999, 88 Palmaz stents were deployed in 85 renal artery stenoses in 73 patients, with a mean age of 67.9 +/- 9.4 years. Twelve patients (16%) underwent bilateral stent placement. Atheromatous lesions were the most prevalent (99%: 82% ostial, 16% nonostial). Most stents were implanted for suboptimal balloon dilation (52%) or dissection (24%). Mean percent stenosis was 86% +/- 12%. Renal insufficiency (creatinine level > or = 1.5 mg/dL) was present in 50 (68%) patients, and uncontrolled hypertension (systolic > or = 160 mm Hg or diastolic > or = 90 mm Hg with more than two medications) was present in 57 (78%). RESULTS: Primary technical success was achieved in 89%. At the initial procedure, three additional stents were placed for residual stenoses, and urokinase was used to treat one intraprocedural stent thrombosis, resulting in an assisted primary technical success rate of 94%. Major complications occurred in 9.1% of stents placed: access artery thrombosis (n = 4), renal artery extravasation (n = 1), renal artery thrombosis (n = 1), and hematoma requiring operation (n = 2). Long-term clinical data were available on 69 (95%) patients at 20 +/- 17 months. Overall, a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic pressures (P <.001) and reduction of medication (P <.01) were noted without a change in renal function (P = NS). Angiography was performed on 22 patients at 11.3 +/- 10.3 months for persistent or worsening renal function or hypertension or for other reasons; 10 patients had significant restenoses in 14 renal arteries. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective analysis demonstrates that endovascular stenting of renal artery stenosis in patients with poorly controlled hypertension or deteriorating renal function is a safe and effective alternative treatment to surgical management.     

Stenting of transplant renal artery stenosis: outcome in a single center study

AIM: Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is the most frequent vascular complication following transplantation and is a potential curable cause of resistant hypertension, allograft dysfunction, and graft loss. Percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) is the treatment of choice, but the incidence of restenosis may be as high as 35%. Alternative treatment option combines the angioplastic procedure with the placement of a stent. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the clinical outcome of 30 patients with TRAS or post-PTA recurrent TRAS between 1991 and 2006 treated by endoluminal stenting. Primary outcomes of this study were survival rate, percentage of restenosis and lost of the graft. Secondary outcomes were: reduction of blood pressure, creatinine levels and number of antihypertensive medications. METHODS: From May 1991 to May 2006 a retrospective review of stent placement procedures for TRAS was performed. Reviewed parameters included: technical success, arterial blood pressure and number of antihypertension medications, serum creatinine level before and after intervention. Thirty-two interventions in 30 allografts were carried out. Allograft survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier METHODS: RESULTS: The technical success rate of stenting was 100% with a single major complication event (a puncture site pseudoaneurysm). Mean follow-up time was 7.1 years; of the 30 allograft that underwent stent placement, all were patent at the last follow-up, with five restenosis (15.6%) of which only one needed to be retreated endoluminally. A reduction of the mean serum creatinine levels and of the number of blood pressure medications was observed. There was no difference in the survival curve of the grafts without TRAS compared to those with stenting treated TRAS. CONCLUSION: The treatment of the TRAS with selective or primary stenting is safe with a long-term patency rate. The efficacy of the stenting in this retrospective study is suggested by a decrease in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine levels and number of blood pressure medications.     

移植肾动脉狭窄腔内治疗的中期结果

目的探讨移植肾动脉狭窄经皮血管腔内成形(PTA)及支架置入的安全性及中远期结果。方法回顾性分析2011年1月至2018年12月解放军总医院血管外科收治的18例移植肾动脉狭窄患者的临床资料。结果3例经同侧股动脉,15例经对侧股动脉人路治疗。4例单纯PTA治疗,8例PTA后置入支架,6例直接置入支架。共置入14枚支架,均为球扩式支架,其中2枚为药涂支架,技术成功率100%。平均造影剂用量64ml,治疗前肾动脉狭窄率为50%〜99%,腔内治疗后狭窄率降为10%〜30%。收缩压由术前的(157.2±43.0)mmHg降至术后的(129.8±8.6)mmHg;血清肌酐(SCr)水平由术前的(258.8±214.7)μmol/L降至术后的(176.3±101.1)μmol/L,尿素氮由术前的(15.7±1.6)mmol/L降至术后(10.6±1.1)mmol/L(均P<0.05)。术后中位随访42.4个月(3~93个月),治愈17例,无效1例,1例单纯球囊扩张后术后30 d出现再狭窄,予以置入支架。除1例移植肾动脉出血外无其他并发症。结论移植肾动脉狭窄是导致移植肾失功的常见血管因素,腔内治疗安全、有效。     

Primary endoluminal stenting of transplant renal artery stenosis from cadaver and non-heart-beating donor kidneys

This study evaluated the efficacy of primary endovascular stenting in cases of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) from cadaver and non-heart-beating donor kidneys. Patients with TRAS (n = 13) from a single-centre transplant population (n = 476) were treated by primary percutaneous angioplasty and endovascular stenting. The short-term efficacy of this intervention is demonstrated in terms of serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) biochemical, anti-hypertensive medications and mean arterial blood pressure control. Stenting for TRAS was performed in male (n = 10) and female (n = 3) recipients. The median age at transplantation was 55 yr (range 10-67 yr). Stenting occurred at a median duration of 410 d post-transplantation (range 84-5799 d). Mean serum creatinine (pre, 247 micromol/L; post, 214 micromol/L; p = 0.002), GFR (pre, 82.6 mL/min; post, 100.9 mL/min; p < 0.001), arterial blood pressure (pre, 104 mmHg; post, 97 mmHg; p = 0.036) and the number of anti-hypertensive medications required (pre, 3.4; post, 3.0; p = 0.002) showed significant improvement after post-endovascular therapy. There were no serious complications encountered. Primary endovascular stenting of TRAS produces a significant improvement in biochemical parameters of renal graft function and in blood pressure stability, with the benefit of low patient morbidity and single arterial puncture. Primary endoluminal stenting of TRAS is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of TRAS.     

移植肾动脉狭窄的诊治(附3例报告)

目的探讨移植肾动脉狭窄的诊治方法. 方法回顾性分析253例肾移植术后发生的3例移植肾动脉狭窄(transplant renal artery stenosis, TRAS)的诊治经过. 结果 3例TRAS均发生于肾移植术后半年内,经彩超和肾动脉造影确诊.3例均行经皮穿刺移植肾动脉球囊扩张成形(percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty, PTRA)和血管内支架置入,获临床治愈.随访15～24个月,无TRAS复发,移植肾功能正常. 结论彩超是筛选TRAS的首选检查方法,肾动脉造影是TRAS的确诊手段.PTRA/血管内支架置入是治疗TRAS的安全、有效和首选方法.     

Minimally invasive salvage therapy for transplanted renal allografts

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventional therapy for complications of transplanted renal allografts. Materials and methods: Between January 2009 and March 2014, 14 patients underwent interventional therapy for complications of renal allografts. Complications included transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS), TRAS combined with pseudoaneurysms, transplant renal venous kinking and ureteral obstruction (UO). Serum creatinine (S.Cr) levels were evaluated before and after procedure. The characteristics and procedure outcomes of these patients with vascular and nonvascular complications were also analyzed. Results: All primary procedures were successfully performed, which included percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for TRAS (n?=?4), stenting and coil embolization for TRAS combined with pseudoaneurysms (n?=?1), stenting for renal vein kinking (n?=?2), and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for UO (n?=?7) and secondary antegrade stent placement in six UO patients after 1 week of PCN. No major procedure related complications occurred. S.Cr level subsequently improved from 6.0?±?3.6 to 2.6?±?2.1?mg/dL (p?<?0.001), as well as patients’ clinical features within 1 week after procedure. In our study, the onset time of vascular complications was earlier (<6 months) than nonvascular complications with significant difference (p?<?0.001). During follow-up, the patient with TRAS and pseudoaneurysms suffered acute rejection 1 month after treatment and received transplant renal artery embolization. One patient with TRAS showed restenosis 4 months after procedure, and was retreated successfully with stenting. Thirteen cases reserved their transplanted renal allografts. Conclusion: Interventional therapy could be prior considered for transplanted renal allograft complications as its effectiveness and minimal invasiveness in saving the transplanted renal grafts.     

Transluminal vascular stent implantation for a patient with renovascular hypertension due to renal artery stenosis

In recent years, transluminal vascular stents have been implanted in patients with renal artery stenosis. At present, controversy remains as to whether the long-term outcome of stent implantation is better than that of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). However, until now, no clinical experience of a stent placement for renal artery stenosis has been reported in our country. We implanted a Palmaz stent in a patient with renovascular hypertenstion due to renal artery restenosis who had already undergone PTRA. The renal function and blood pressure of the patient improved remarkably.     

Angioplasty does not affect subsequent operative renal artery revascularization

BACKGROUND: Although increased application of percutaneous renal artery angioplasty and stenting has facilitated nonoperative renal revascularization, patient outcomes after failed angioplasty are not established. METHODS: Renal artery revascularization was performed in 31 patients (38 arteries) from 1993 to 1999. Twenty patients underwent primary surgical repair, and 11 patients underwent secondary reconstruction after angioplasty (n = 7) or angioplasty and stenting (n = 4). Before operation, all patients had severe hypertension (blood pressure 166+/-5.2/92 +/- 2.7 mm Hg) that required an average of 3.0 +/- 0.2 medications for control. In addition, 12 patients (primary 45% vs secondary 27%; P = NS) had evidence of renal insufficiency (creatinine > or =1.7 mg/dL). RESULTS: There was no difference between primary and secondary procedures in the length of hospital stay (12+/- 1.4 vs. 12+/-3.2 days; P = NS), major morbidity (10% vs. 18%; P = NS) or perioperative mortality (overall mortality 2 of 31; primary 5% vs secondary 9%; P = NS). The majority of patients demonstrated improvement or cure of hypertension (primary 94% vs secondary 90%; P = NS) and stable or decreased creatinine (primary 74% vs secondary 82%; P = not significant). Overall survival (mean follow-up 22+/-3.5 months) was 89%+/-5.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Although this surgical series does not address the true outcomes of renal artery angioplasty, the results suggest that renal artery angioplasty does not prejudice subsequent surgical outcomes in patients who are carefully followed after angioplasty.     

经皮血管成形术治疗移植肾动脉狭窄的临床研究

目的 评估经皮血管成形术在治疗移植肾动脉狭窄(TRAS)导致的移植肾功能损害和(或)高血压中的效果.方法 回顾性分析1998年7月至2007年1月经皮肾动脉造影明确诊断为移植肾动脉狭窄的16例患者的临床资料.在16例患者被确诊前先行多普勒超声检查,有13例被发现TRAS,3例阴性,假阴性率为18.75%.对16例TRAS患者均采取经皮血管成形术治疗.术后对患者进行了3年的随访,分别在术后1周、6个月、1年、2年和3年时评估肾功能和高血压改善状况.以平均动脉压较术前下降至少15%定义为高血压改善;以血清肌酐降低至少20%定义为移植肾功能改善.结果 经皮血管成形术成功率100%,16例患者经治疗后均获临床治愈.术后1周、6个月、1年、2年和3年时,肾功能改善率分别为81.25%、68.75%、62.5%、56.25%和50%,高血压改善率分别为62.5%、75%、75%、56.25%和50%,所有患者服用降血压药物的种类和用量均减少.结论 经皮血管成形术对TRAS导致的肾功能损害和高血压有明显的改善作用,是安全和有效的治疗方法 .     

介入治疗肾血管性高血压

目的总结经皮腔内血管成形术（ＰＴＲＡ）＋内支架植入术治疗肾血管性高血压的疗效。方法１９９５～１９９８年介入治疗肾血管性高血压患者２６例。对肾动脉硬化导致的肾动脉近端病变直接行支架植入术。对肾动脉硬化致肾动脉中远端病变及大动脉炎,纤维肌肉发育不良性肾动脉病变先行ＰＴＲＡ术,效果不好或失败者行支架植入术。选择Ｐａｌｍａｚ支架。结果ＰＴＲＡ＋支架植入术技术成功率１００％,近期临床治愈改善率９２．３％,随访治愈改善率８６．４％。结论ＰＴＲＡ＋支架植入术即时安全有效,治愈改善率满意,可作为肾血管性高血压的首选治疗方法。     

Metal stent placement for two patients with post-transplantation renal artery stenosis,using intravascular ultrasound imaging

Post-transplantation renal artery stenosis is recognized at relatively early periods after renal transplantation. We report herein our experience of utilizing transluminal expanded metal stents (Palmaz stent and Wall stent) for post-transplantation renal artery stenosis, and monitoring with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. The recipients were a 51-year-old woman (case 1) and a 57-year-old man (case 2), and the grafts were procured from cadaveric donors. Renal function had deteriorated suddenly at 5 months after renal transplantation in case 1 and at 86 months in case 2. The cause of the graft dysfunction was renal arterial stenosis. Color doppler ultrasound imaging and angiography diagnosed post-transplantation renal artery stenosis. The renal artery stenosis was serious, being greater than 90% in both patients. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed, but its effectiveness was not sufficient; therefore, an indwelling endoluminal metallic Palmaz stent and an indwelling Wall stent were placed at the sites of stenosis while monitoring was done with IVUS. No complications were recognized at all. The length and degree of stenosis location became clear by using IVUS, and suitable stents could be selected for the renal artery stenosis. The clinical effect was excellent; the renal function improved to the pre-hospitalization value. We conclude that the Palmaz stent and the Wall stent were useful as a noninvasive strategy for treating post-transplantation renal artery stenosis. This procedure could be performed safely and surely using IVUS.     

Interventional therapy of vascular complications following renal transplantation

Abstract:  Renal transplantation is accepted as the preferred treatment for most cases of end-stage renal disease. Postoperative vascular complications include stenosis or thrombosis of the transplant renal artery or arteriovenous fistulas after biopsy. Impaired arterial perfusion of the transplant may be the leading cause for graft dysfunction or refractory hypertension. Therefore, non-invasive imaging modalities are required to detect and locate vascular complications with high accuracy. Doppler ultrasound is suited as a screening method for the detection of impaired graft perfusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for an accurate diagnosis of vascular complications and to support decision for appropriate surgical or interventional treatment. Minimal invasive techniques like percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement have evolved as safe procedures with a high technical success rate reducing substantial morbidity. They can be considered as an alternative to surgical treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). Embolization of severe arteriovenous fistulas is the method of choice if the feeding artery can be occluded through a microcatheter. In selected cases, even catheter-guided fibrinolytic treatment of arterial thrombosis might be considered, if instantaneous surgery is considered a high-risk procedure. This article reviews the imaging features of common vascular complications after renal transplantation with focus on MRI. In addition, interventional radiological techniques are described for the treatment of TRAS, acute thrombotic occlusion, and arteriovenous fistulas.     

Long-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients with renovascular hypertension--a follow-up study on renal function and renal size

Twenty patients with renovascular hypertension were followed for at least 1 year (mean 3.3 years) after successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Renal arteries were patent in 13 (65%) patients and were re-stenosed in 7 (35%). In 12 patients with unilaterally stenosed renal artery which were patent at the end of the follow up period, 6 patients were normotensive, the other 6 patients had less degree of hypertension. Determinations of renal vein renin were only of limited prognostic value. Renal blood flow pattern by doppler echography improved after PTA in the 12 patients. Radioisotope renogram showed tendency of improved Tmax ratio (stenotic kidney/nonstenotic kidney) from 1.5 +/- 0.8 to 1.0 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD, p less than 0.1). Serum creatinine levels decreased significantly from 1.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl to 1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/dl (p less than 0.05) and creatinine clearance increased from 72.1 +/- 18.5 ml/min to 99.6 +/- 31.7 ml/min (p less than 0.02). The size of the stenosed kidneys increased from 11.2 +/- 0.7 cm to 12.0 +/- 0.8 cm (p less than 0.01), while the size of the contralateral kidneys did not change. These results indicate that PTA has favorable long-term effects on blood pressure and renal function with restoration of renal size in cases with patent renal arteries after this procedure.     

Treatment of atherosclerotic ostial renal artery stenosis with the intravascular stent

Traditional approaches to revascularization for atherosclerotic ostial renal artery stenosis (RAS) have been suboptimal because of the invasiveness and relatively high perioperative morbidity and mortality of surgery and the low rates of success and long-term patency with percutaneous renal angioplasty (PTRA). We report our 5-year (1991 to 1996) experience with the intravascular stent (Palmaz stent; Johnson & Johnson, Miami Lakes, FL) for the treatment of ostial RAS in 129 patients (63 men, 66 women) and 148 arteries. The mean age of the patients was 71+/-10 years; 98% were hypertensive and 57% had renal dysfunction. Angiographic characteristics of RAS were unilateral in 78%, bilateral in 15%, and single kidney in 7%. The technical success rates were 98% for stent versus 11% for PTRA in the ostial location. The stent restenosis rate (angiographic) was 14% at 8+/-5 months. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were as follows: baseline, 158+/-3 and 84+/-2 mm Hg; 6 months, 149+/-3 and 81+/-2 mm Hg; 12 months, 149+/-3 and 79+/-2 mm Hg; and 24 months, 135+/-3 and 79+/-2 mm Hg. Follow-up values were significantly lower than baseline (P < 0.05). The number of medications for hypertension initially decreased from 2.2+/-0.1 at baseline to 1.6+/-0.1 and 1.8+/-0.1 at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.05). By 6 months, however, the number of medications had increased and was not significantly different from before stent placement. Renal function was stable in the group as a whole: Cockroft-Gault creatinine clearance (C-G CrCl) at baseline was 40+/-2 mL/min; at 6 months, 36+/-3 mL/min; at 12 months, 39+/-3 mL/min; and at 24 months, 39+/-4 mL/min. When stratified by degree of renal function, values were similarly stable. Patients with a baseline serum creatinine level of 2 mg/dL or less had C-G CrCl values as follows: baseline, 53+/-3 mg/dL; 6 months, 43+/-4 mg/dL; 12 months, 46+/-4 mg/dL; and 24 months, 52+/-5 mg/dL. Those with a baseline serum creatinine level greater than 2 mg/dL had C-G CrCl values as follows: baseline, 26+/-2 mg/dL; 6 months, 31+/-4 mg/dL; 12 months, 32+/-6 mg/dL; and 24 months, 23+/-3 mg/dL. Of eight patients who were dialysis dependent, four (50%) recovered renal function with a mean serum creatinine level of 2.3+/-0.5 mg/dL at 15+/-6 months (range, 9 to 24 months). Stent placement for the treatment of atherosclerotic ostial RAS has a high success rate and a low rate of restenosis. Control of hypertension improves in most patients. Renal function stabilizes or improves in the majority of patients, even those with severe renal failure. These favorable outcomes are maintained long term.     

Early experience with the Palmaz expandable intraluminal stent in iliac artery stenosis

Since 1987, we have used the Palmaz expandable intraluminal stent in 22 selected cases of iliac artery stenosis in 14 men and six women with a mean age of 63 years for claudication (9), graft salvage (5), rest pain (4), and tissue loss (2). Morphologic criteria included severe percutaneous balloon angioplasty-induced dissection (6), long or multiple stenoses or occlusions (5), post-percutaneous balloon angioplasty elastic recoil (4), location of stenosis (4), and restenosis following percutaneous balloon angioplasty (3). Twenty-two limbs were treated with 61 stents. The mean pressure gradient across the lesion fell from 31±15 to 1.1±2.4 mmHg after stenting. The mean ankle/brachial systolic pressure index improved from 0.59±0.31 to 0.83±0.25 after stenting. The mean follow-up is 11.4 months, with a mean ankle/brachial index at their most recent follow-up of 0.88±0.19. Symptomatically, 11 extremities are normal and five limbs are improved. Three patients have died and two have required bypass grafts for iliac occlusive disease. In this early experience, the Palmaz intraluminal stent appears to be valuable for the management of post-percutaneous balloon angioplasty restenosis, elastic recoil, and percutaneous balloon angioplasty-induced dissection, although it is not without complications.Presented at the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society, June 2, 1990, Los Angeles, California.     

肾动脉狭窄的腔内治疗经验

目的探讨腔内治疗肾动脉狭窄的临床疗效及影响因素。方法2003年2月至2005年6月共收治19例肾动脉狭窄患者,分析其中行腔内治疗12例的临床资料。其中动脉硬化9例,多发性大动脉炎1例,纤维肌性发育不良2例。结果本组12例,均有严重高血压,1例肾功能异常。支架置入10例,技术成功率91．7％(11／12)。随访12例,随访时间3—15个月,随访平均6．5个月,患者血压从(172±26／98±15)降至(156±22／88±14)mmHg。高血压治愈2例,改善6例,未愈4例,高血压控制率为66．7％。术后肾功能无明显变化。无并发症和死亡病例。再狭窄1例,再狭窄率为8．3％。结论严格掌握手术适应证,腔内治疗肾动脉狭窄是安全、有效的。     

Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis: A Case Report of Functional Recovery Six Months After Angioplasty

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a common vascular complication after kidney transplantation, leading to worsening or refractory hypertension, deterioration in renal function, and possible cause of graft loss. Early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment are crucial for organ preservation. Endovascular treatment, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent implantation, is considered the first-line therapy for TRAS. Here we report the case of a 69-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease for chronic kidney disease not biopsy proven, who underwent a kidney transplant from expanded criteria donors on December 2018. Postoperative course was characterized by delayed graft function. Doppler ultrasonography (US) showed an increase of peak systolic velocity at the origin of the renal artery, and parvus-tardus waveform in periferic graft arteries and an abdominal computed tomography scan confirmed a stenosis at the origin of the main renal artery (TRAS). The patient underwent a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. It was not possible to place a stent at the particular location of the stenosis at the anastomosis. Despite the improvement of the graft's perfusion, monitored with Doppler US, the patient showed a very poor improvement in renal function and remained on hemodialysis for months. A percutaneous needle biopsy reported a normal renal parenchyma and excluded acute rejection. During this period, the patient received immunosuppressive therapy. About 6 months after the transplant, the patient had an unexpected and slow renal function recovery until she was weaned completely from hemodialysis.