RENAL-ARTERY STENT IMPLANTATION - CURRENT INDICATIONS, 2-YEAR RESULTS, POSSIBILITIES OF PERCUTANEOUS STENT RETRIEVAL

Use of the Strecker flexible balloon-expandable tantalum stent for treatment of renal artery stenosis after failed angioplasty or transaortic thrombendarterectomy was evaluated in 18 patients [17 hypertensive, 1 normotensive]. Right [n=10] and left [n=6] renal arteries were involved; in 2 patients renal artery stenosis had developed after kidney transplantation. Indications for stent placement were inadequate immediate postangioplasty response [n=16], and obstructing intimal flaps following transaortic endarterectomy [n=2]. Stent placement was technically successful [<20% residual stenosis] and patency was preserved in 14 patients. Mid-term results [mean, 12-13 months] of 11 patients showed restenoses [>50%] in 2 patients, and improvement of hypertension in 8 patients. The Strecker stent may be helpful in treating residual stenosis after failed revascularization procedures of the renal arteries, although long-term efficacy of stent placement will not be known until trials with more subjects and longer follow-up periods are completed.