Percutaneous treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis: Techniques and results

Abstract

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) affects only a small percentage of renal allografts, but is a potentially treatable cause of graft dysfunction and hypertension. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can be performed with technical and clinical success in most cases, and is the initial procedure of choice for TRAS. An understanding of the unique anatomy of the transplant kidney in the pelvis is critical to achieving success and avoiding complications. Because the transplant kidney represents the entire functional renal mass, careful attention to angiographic detail is crucial. This article outlines the techniques and results of transluminal angioplasty for TRAS. Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) affects only a small percentage of renal allografts, but is a potentially treatable cause of graft dysfunction and hypertension. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can be performed with technical and clinical success in most cases, and is the initial procedure of choice for TRAS. An understanding of the unique anatomy of the transplant kidney in the pelvis is critical to achieving success and avoiding complications. Because the transplant kidney represents the entire functional renal mass, careful attention to angiographic detail is crucial. This article outlines the techniques and results of transluminal angioplasty for TRAS.