Treatment of renovascular hypertension by transluminal angioplasty – 13 years experience in a single centre

Abstract

Objective. The study is a follow‐up on treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). Methods. Patients were screened on the basis of clinical criteria of increased probability of RVH with renography and in selected cases with renal vein renin measurements. A positive work‐up suggesting a functionally important renal artery stenosis led to renal angiography and PTRA if stenosis was confirmed; in 59%, an intravascular stent was inserted. Results. Outcome of treatment was classified as follows – group I: normotensive without medication; group II: with improved control of blood pressure; group III: unchanged blood pressure control. Grouping was performed immediately after treatment, at 1 month, 6 months and at the latest follow‐up. One hundred‐and‐twenty‐two patients (124 atherosclerotic and 12 fibromuscular lesions) were treated during 13 years. Immediately after PTRA the patients were grouped as follows – I: 31%, II: 59%, III: 10%. At 1 month, I: 13%, II: 72%, III: 15%; at 6 months, I: 11%, II: 74%, III: 15%, and at the latest follow‐up, I: 11%, II: 78%, III: 11%. There were few significant complications, and renal function remained on average stable. Conclusion. PTRA is an effective treatment of RVH in patients selected by signs of a flow‐restricting stenosis. Twelve percent were normotensive after angioplasty and a further 77% had better controlled hypertension. Few complications were seen and renal function was on average unchanged as measured by serum creatinine.