REVIEWS  RENAL ARTERY STENTING CHALLENGING 

Italian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2009 March;16(1):51-5

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Drug-eluting stents in the management of renal artery stenosis

Zähringer M. ¹, Krüger K. ²

¹ Department of Radiology Marienhospital Stuttgart, Germany 2 Department of Radiology Vivantes Humboldt Klinikum and Klinikum Spandau, Berlin, Germany

Short and long-term success rates superior to balloon angioplasty alone have helped percutaneous stent implantation gain wider acceptance as therapy for managing atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. However, even after successful renal stent placement, restenosis rates can vary between 6 and 40%, depending on definition of restenosis, diameter of the treated vessel segment, and comorbidities. Poorly defined are the safety and efficacy profiles of drug-eluting stents for treating renal artery stenosis. The recently published GREAT study, the only prospective study to date that compares bare-metal and sirolimus-coated low-profile stent systems in renal artery stenosis, showed a 50% relative risk reduction of angiographic binary in-stent restenosis. This review paper discusses indications, current treatment options and restenosis rates following renal artery stenting and the potential use of drug-eluting stents for this indication.