[Stenosis of the renal artery of the transplant: comparison between interventional and medical treatment].

In a retrospective analysis of 542 renal transplantations performed over a 10 years period, we diagnosed 25 cases of renal allograft artery stenosis that is a prevalence of 4.6%. The reason for angiography was persistent hypertension and/or renal insufficiency. An interventional procedure was performed in 16 patients (group 1): surgery in 5 and transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in 11. Nine other patients were medically treated (group 2). PTA or surgery was undertaken when a significant stenosis (> 70%) was found and when hypertension was severe (mean PAM = 123 +/- 11 mmHg). PTA was primarily performed when the anatomical situation of the stenosis was judged suitable. Medical treatment was chosen because the stenosis was assesses as not being severe enough or because was considered unsuitable for correction. Interventional treatment was successful in 77%. Long term results are shown in the table: in both 2 groups blood pressure decreased significantly at mean follow-up; the number of antihypertensive drugs decreased non significantly but are still necessary in the group 1. Mean serum creatinine is not significantly modified after treatment, there is no degradation of renal function in group 2 and no amelioration in group 1.