Management of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis

Abstract

The management of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is controversial. Although it may appear intuitive that restoring normal blood flow to the kidney(s) is the treatment of choice, there are no data showing an obvious advantage of interventional therapy compared with medical therapy. In this article, we discuss the most recent advances in the treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis with a focus on randomized studies comparing medical treatment with angioplasty/stenting, particularly in patients with underlying renal dysfunction. The available data are still of limited quality but provide support against indiscriminate use of interventions, as these treatments appear no better than best medical treatment that focuses on blood pressure control, use of blockers of the renin-angiotensin system, and aggressive cardiovascular risk management.