Angioplasty and stenting of renal artery stenosis

It was by our group in Bern that the first percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) was performed exactly 20 years ago. The method has since been established worldwide. It produces improvement of blood pressure in about 60-70% of the patients regardless of the nature of renal artery stenosis. Up to 40% of patients with fibromuscular dysplasia hypertension and 10-20% of patients with atherosclerosis will be cured. It has recently been shown that there is also a significant beneficial effect in patients with renal insufficiency. Stenting has greatly improved patency rate particularly in renal artery ostial stenosis. A primary patency rate between 75-80% may be expected. With systematic follow-up by means of color duplex ultrasound, and consistent performance of secondary interventions this may be improved to around 90%.