Percutaneous angioplasty for atherosclerotic renal artery disease: Effect on renal function in azotemic patients

Purpose We studied the effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) on renal function in azotemic patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.Methods The results of PTRA were analyzed retrospectively in 40 patients. There were 61 stenoses, 54 of which received balloon angioplasty; 7 had stent placement during the initial procedure, 6 for recurrent stenosis 6–18 months after PTRA.Results Technical success was achieved in 95% of cases. The complication rate was 15%, compared to 6% in nonazotemic patients. Mean creatinine rose from 1.9 ± 0.15 mg/dl (mean ± SEM) to 2.4 ± 0.17 mg/dl during the year before PTRA, stabilizing at 2.5 ± 0.57 mg/ dl for 1 year after PTRA. PTRA was clinically successful in 60% of patients; 40% showed further deterioration of renal function. Clinical failure was associated with residual renal artery stenosis and presence of intermittent claudication.Conclusion We conclude that PTRA helps salvage renal function in patients with azotemia and atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.