Efficacy of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent in elderly male patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis

OBJECTIVES Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent implantation (PTRAS) has become the treatment of choice for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). This study evaluates the long-term effects of PTRAS on hypertension and renal function in elderly patients with ARAS. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent PTRAS in the geriatric division of a tertiary medical center during the period 2003-2010. The clinical data were extracted from the medical records of each patient. Changes in blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were analyzed before and after PTRAS. RESULTS Eighty-six stents in 81 elderly patients were placed successfully. The average age of the patients was 76.2 years (65-89 years). Mean follow-up was 31.3 months (range 12 -49 months). There was a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the third day after the PTRAS procedure and the reduction in blood pressure was constant throughout the follow-up period until 36 months after PTRAS. However, there was no marked benefit to renal function outcome during the follow-up period. The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy was 9.9% in this study group. The rate of renal artery restenosis was 14.8%. The survival rate was 96.3% for 4 years after the procedure. CONCLUSION It is beneficial to control blood pressure in elderly patients with ARAS up to 36 months after a PTRAS procedure. However, their renal function improvement is limited.