Retrospective study of 10 cases of transplant renal artery stenosis]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and cause of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) and explore its diagnosis and management. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted in 10 TRAS cases confirmed by selective artery angiography between 2000 and 2001. RESULTS: Seven patients had a history of acute rejection episode, balloon angioplasty was per-formed in 9 patients, and stent implantation in 1 patient. Revascularization resulted in a decrease in arterial pressure and renal function improvement in all but 1 case. Restenosis occurred in 2 of the 9 patients receiving balloon angioplasty, but after stent implantation, their renal function was improved. Serious graft failure occurred in 1 case, resulting eventually in renal graft loss. CONCLUSIONS: TRAS is related to episodes of acute rejection. Doppler ultrasonography is useful in screening of TRAS, the definite diagnosis of which relies on artery angiography, and angioplasty constitutes an effective therapeutic modality.