TRANSPLANT RENAL-ARTERY STENOSIS PRESENTING WITH RECURRENT ACUTE PULMONARY-EDEMA

Renal artery stenosis of the transplant kidney occurs in approximately 6% of renal allograft recipients. Severe bilateral renal artery steno sis and unilateral renal artery stenosis to a single functioning kidne y have been described as causes of recurrent pulmonary edema in nontra nsplant patients with normal cardiac function. We report 2 patients wi th severe transplant renal artery stenosis who presented with recurren t episodes of acute pulmonary edema. Successful revascularization in 1 patient prevented the recurrence of pulmonary edema. In renal allogra ft recipients who present with unexplained recurrent episodes of acute pulmonary edema, who do not have an obvious cardiac cause, transplant renal artery stenosis should be considered as a possible etiology.