Treating Renal Artery Stenosis

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) leading to hypertension or ischemic nephropathy can be treated by endovascular revascularization using balloon angioplasty or stent implantation. Although high technical success rates > 95%, relatively low frequencies of complications and good long-term patency can be achieved, the indications for interventional treatment are a matter of ongoing debate. Curing hypertension by means of angioplasty rarely occurs, although the number of antihypertensive medication usually can be reduced after successful treatment. Targeting ischemic nephropathy, revascularization can stabilize or at least slow the decline of renal function. Nevertheless, angioplasty also bears the risk of inducing renal deterioration. Careful patient selection remains the most crucial point in renal interventions, however, current data are insufficient to give final recommendations on this issue. The present review focuses on the potential beneficial effects of renal artery PTA and stenting in patients with RAS.