Percutaneous production of renal artery lesions. Experiments in the pig.

Percutaneous, intraarterial traumatization of both renal arteries in 4 pigs using the stiff end of a guide-wire resulted in intimal lesions in 7 arteries. At repeat angiography healing was demonstrated in 4 of these arteries, suggesting that spontaneous restitution may be more common than usually believed. Balloon catheter dilatation of 2 stenotic segments initially increased the diameter of the stenoses but at repeat angiography both arteries were found to be occluded. Over-distension of the balloon in the renal artery resulted in pseudoaneurysm in one case and rupture in the other.