Athirakul K, McCann R, Crowley S, Conlon P, Middleton J
Surgical reversal of renal artery stenosis retards progression of chronic renal insufficiency
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1315 1996

Ischemic nephropathy is believed to be the etiology of ESRD in up to 20% of patients. The effect of surgical revascularization of RAS > 75% was retrospectively studied in 55 consecutive patients over a 6-year period. The Cr was > 1.2 in 33/55 patients. Rate of progression of CRF was determined by 1/Cr. Mean age was 61 yrs, 78% female. 50% had bilateral disease.

Two patients died postoperatively (sepsis). In patients with CRF (Cr > 1.2), mean preoperative Cr was 2.4, immediate post-operative creatinine was 1.8. In these patients, slope of 1/Cr vs. time was -0.073 mg/dl/mo before and 0.035 mg/dl/mo after operation. No patient developed ESRD (mean follow-up 32 mo). Surgical reversal of RAS slows progression of CRF in patients with ischemic nephropathy.

Comment: These are excellent results obtained by a single surgeon in an academic center. Whether these results can translate to other settings is unclear. Surgical revascularization should be considered only in selected patients, i.e. those with severe hypertension and/or progressive renal insufficiency, since reported operative mortality is 3-6%. (David J. Leehey, M.D., Loyola University at Chicago)

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Am Soc Nephrol
H: Special problems : Renovascular hypertension
CRF by problem area : Progression