STENT REVASCULARIZATION FOR ATHEROSCLEROTIC RENAL-ARTERY STENOSIS - 1-YEAR CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP

Patients who had undergone stent revascularization of renal artery ste nosis for poorly controlled hypertension, preservation of renal functi on, or both were monitored to assess the procedure's effect upon subse quent renal function and blood pressure control. Al I-year follow-up, systolic and diastolic blood pressures had significantly decreased (16 6 +/- 26 to 156 +/- 25 mmHg and 86 +/- 14 ro 80 +/- 13 mmHg, respectiv ely; P < 0.05), and creatinine levels decreased or remained stable in approximately two thirds of the patients. Renal artery stent revascula rization appears to have a beneficial effect upon blood pressure contr ol and a nondeleterious effect upon renal function in the majority of patients.