Outcomes of Successful Versus Failed Stenting in Patients With Unilateral Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Occlusion

Stenting for renal artery occlusion (RAO) remains a subject of considerable debate. We aim to observe whether stenting can improve the clinical outcomes of patients with RAO. Patients with atherosclerotic unilateral RAO and at least 12 months of follow-up were included (n = 42) and were divided into the stenting group (n = 30) and the failed-stenting group (n = 12) based on their surgical outcomes. Blood pressure, serum creatinine, and clinical end point (major adverse cardiovascular or renal events) were recorded. At the last follow-up, there was no significant difference in BP and medication usage between the two groups of patients. Compared with failed revascularization, successful stenting was associated with reduced risk for renal function deterioration (p = 0.035) and clinical end point (p = 0.009). Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis showed a benefit of stenting on event-free survival (log-rank p = 0.029) and dialysis-free survival (log-rank p = 0.049). In conclusion, stenting plus medical therapy is effective in slowing the deterioration of renal function and preventing clinical events in patients with atherosclerotic unilateral RAO.