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  • Title: Assessment of renal artery stenosis severity by pressure gradient measurements.
    Author: De Bruyne B, Manoharan G, Pijls NH, Verhamme K, Madaric J, Bartunek J, Vanderheyden M, Heyndrickx GR.
    Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol; 2006 Nov 07; 48(9):1851-5. PubMed ID: 17084261.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to define "significant" renal artery stenosis (i.e., a stenosis able to induce arterial hypertension). BACKGROUND: The degree of renal artery stenosis that justifies an attempt at revascularization is unknown. METHODS: In 15 patients, transstenotic pressure measurements were obtained before and after unilateral stenting. After stenting, graded stenoses were created in the stented segment by progressive inflation of a balloon catheter. Stenosis severity was expressed as the ratio of distal pressure (P(d)) corrected for aortic pressure (P(a)). Balloon inflation pressure was adjusted to create 6 degrees of stenosis (P(d)/P(a) from 1.0 to 0.5, each step during 10 min). Plasma renin concentration was measured at the end of each step in the aorta and in both renal veins. RESULTS: For a P(d)/P(a) ratio >0.90, no significant change in plasma renin concentration was observed. However, when P(d)/P(a) became <0.90, a significant increase in renin was observed in the renal vein of the stenotic kidney, finally reaching a maximal increase of 346 +/- 145% for P(d)/P(a) of 0.50 (p = 0.006). These values returned to baseline when the stenosis was relieved. In addition, plasma renin concentration increased significantly in the vein from the non-stenotic kidney (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In renal artery stenoses, a P(d)/P(a) ratio of 0.90 can be considered a threshold value below which the stenosis is likely responsible for an up-regulation of renin production and, thus, for renovascular hypertension. These findings might contribute to better patient selection for renal angioplasty.
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