Termination of Dialysis in a Patient With Chronic Renal Failure After the Detection and Treatment of Renal Artery Stenosis

Chronic renal failure (CRF) due to bilateral renal artery stenosis or ischemic renal disease is an increasingly recognized and potentially reversible disorder. It has been reported that ischemic renal disease may be responsible for 5-22% of patients with advanced renal failure who are over the age of 50.

A 44-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with the complaints of disorientation. He had hypertension since three years. Ininitial physical examination revealed a blood pressure of 190/115 mmHg.

On magnetic resonance imaging, there was an appearance which was suitable with stenosis aproximately 1 cm in a distance from the exit level of left renal artery from aorta. A stenosis of greater than 90% was confirmed with selective angiography and a stent was implanted to the left renal artery. Afterwards, the flow of the left renal artery was observed normally. Urine output was found to be increased and need for dialysis decreased and finally the patient was discarged from the chronic dialysis program.

It must be emphasized that renal artery stenosis should be investigated in highly suspected patients even though they were in the late end stage renal disease. Furthermore, invasive procedures should be performed for the aim of revascularization.