In a series of 859 transplantations performed in children and adolesce
nts from January 1973 to December 1999, vascular thrombosis accounted
for 18% of all graft losses (2nd cause of graft failure), and 57% of e
arly failures (within 2 months). Renal veins and arteries were equally
affected. The young age of the donors and recipients constituted the
main risk factor, thrombosis accounting for 40 and 37% respectively of
all graft losses in donors and recipients <5 years old. This explaine
d the lower survival rate of these age groups after grafting, as repor
ted in most published pediatric series. The prophylactis use of a low
molecular weight heparin in high-risk grafts may help to decrease its
incidence. A renal artery stenosis, located a few cm beyond the anasto
mosis in 2/3 of cases, was observed in 10% of grafts. Often severe hyp
ertension (HBP) with cerebral complications, responsible for permanent
sequelae in some cases, was the prominent symptom. Anti-hypertensive
drug therapy was sufficient to control HBP in 40 cases out of 72, and
in 10 of these, a spontaneous regression of the stenosis was remarked
within a few months after repeated angiography. Transluminal angioplas
ty was used on 26 stenosis and was effective in 2/3 of cases; the recu
rrence rate, however, was 27%.