A case of renal artery brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis: four-year follow-up

Renal artery stent implantation is associated with high rates of restenosis, particularly in vessels less than 4.5 mm in diameter. We describe 4-year follow-up results in the first patient to receive renal artery brachytherapy for this indication. A 68-year-old man who presented with flash pulmonary edema, hypertension and renal impairment was found to have severe bilateral renal artery stenosis and was treated with bilateral stent implantation. Following clinical deterioration due to severe in-stent restenosis, he underwent repeat angioplasty followed by intra-stent brachytherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first use of such therapy and hence the 4-year follow-up demonstrating excellent bilateral patency is the longest to date.