Renal stent implantation. The current indications, 2-year results and the possibilities for percutaneous stent recovery

Use of the Strecker flexible balloon-expandable tantalum stent for treatment of renal artery stenosis after failed angioplasty or transaortic thrombendarterectomy was evaluated in 18 patients (17 hypertensive, 1 normotensive). Right (n = 10) and left (n = 6) renal arteries were involved; in 2 patients renal artery stenosis had developed after kidney transplantation. Indications for stent placement were inadequate immediate postangioplasty response (n = 16), and obstructing intimal flaps following transaortic endarterectomy (n = 2). Stent placement was technically successful (less than 20% residual stenosis) and patency was preserved in 14 patients. Mid-term results (mean, 12-13 months) of 11 patients showed restenoses (greater than 50%) in 2 patients, and improvement of hypertension in 8 patients. The Strecker stent may be helpful in treating residual stenosis after failed revascularization procedures of the renal arteries, although long-term efficacy of stent placement will not be known until trials with more subjects and longer follow-up periods are completed.