Diagnostiek en behandeling van nierarteriestenose bij patiënten met een transplantatienier

- Among the complications of kidney transplantation renal artery stenosis occurs in approximately 10 of patients. It may lead to progressive hypertension and loss of graft function. In this article possibilities and restrictions of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods are described on the basis of three case histories.

Duplex Doppler ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic instrument for detection of renal artery stenosis in patients with kidney transplants. Because of its non-invasive character it is an attractive alternative to angiography. Treatment of these patients by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) appears to give satisfying results than surgery more frequently. Although it is not always successful, PTA may be regarded as the treatment of choice since it also causes less stress than surgical management.