Incidental renal artery stenosis is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with peripheral vascular disease

In patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD), mortality is high and renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a frequent incidental finding. RAS carries a high risk for mortality, but whether incidentally discovered RAS is a risk factor for mortality is unknown. The prognostic impact of incidental RAS for mortality was studied in 550 consecutive patients who underwent intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography for PVD in a single center between 1997 and 2000. In 491 patients (336 men, 155 women; mean follow-up 3.8 +/- 1.9 yr), the renal arteries were visualized and follow-up data were available. RAS (diameter reduction > 50%) was present in 26% of the patients. Mortality in the RAS group was 59 versus 28% in the non-RAS group (odds ratio 3.8; 95% confidence interval 2.5 to 5.7; P < 0.0001). Diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, history of PVD, stroke, and hypertension were more frequent in the RAS group; age was higher and GFR was lower in the RAS group. Therefore, RAS was associated with elevated mortality and increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Cox regression analysis showed that RAS was an independent predictor for mortality (P = 0.005), along with age, diabetes, smoking, previous myocardial infarction, history of PVD, and stroke. In patients who were evaluated for PVD by digital subtraction angiography, mortality was high. Incidental RAS was a frequent finding and an independent predictor for mortality. Whether RAS is a marker for or, alternatively, a mediator of the poor prognosis and whether prognosis can be improved by specific intervention should be the subject of future prospective studies.