Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of the renal arteries: techniques and results.

Abstract

The techniques and results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the renal arteries were evaluated in 20 hypertensive patients with 25 renal artery stenoses. Follow-up angiograms were obtained in 9 patients. Many patients had evidence of essential and angiotensinogenic hypertension. Eleven patients had evidence of severe diffuse atherosclerotic disease and 9 patients had evidence of renal insufficiency. The mean systolic pressures before and after PTA were 203.80 and 150.30, respectively. The mean diastolic pressures before and after PTA were 117.45 and 85.95, respectively. Ten patients were cured. Six patients with long histories of hypertension and a recent increase in blood pressure were classified as having blood pressure easier to control with antihypertensive medication following PTA. Three patients failed to respond to PTA and 1 patient was a technical failure. The advantages of this technique include avoidance of general anesthesia and a major surgical procedure, decreased cost and a shortened hospital stay. The technique can be easily repeated if necessary and future surgical intervention is not precluded if the method is unsuccessful.