Endovascular stent graft repair of renal artery aneurysms.

AIM

To evaluate the published outcomes of endovascular stent graft repair of renal artery aneurysms.

METHODS

The English literature was systematically searched using the MEDLINE electronic database up to April 2010. All reports of endovascular stent graft repair of renal artery aneurysms were considered. The primary outcome measures were technical success and perioperative, 30-day and overall morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

Data for the final analysis were extracted from 20 papers reporting on endovascular stent graft repair of 22 aneurysms in 21 patients. Elective repair was performed in 20 cases (91%), whereas 2 patients (9%) underwent an endovascular repair of a ruptured aneurysm. The technical success rate was 91% (20/22). Neither perioperative/30-day mortality nor significant perioperative morbidity was noticed in this study cohort. Minor perioperative complications developed 6 patients (27%), and were most commonly associated with occlusion of a side branch vessel resulting in segmental infarction of the kidney. None of the patients developed renal impairment. During a mean follow up of 8 months, no patients developed aneurysm-related complications requiring revision.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular stent graft repair of renal artery aneurysms is reported to be a safe and effective treatment option, with good immediate and short-term results. However, no long-term data exists and larger series are required to draw solid conclusions regarding the outcomes of this method.