The effect of endovascular aortic stents placed across the renal arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate renal artery patency and renal function after deployment of aortic stents covering the orifices of renal arteries.


METHODS
Prospective open animal study.


METHODS
Department of Experimental Surgery at a university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-three pigs were used.


METHODS
Ten pigs were observed for 1 h after graft-anchoring aortic stents, Gianturco (5) and Palmaz (5), were placed so that the stents covered the renal arterial orifices. In 13 pigs, Gianturco (6) and Palmaz (7) stents without grafts were placed over the renal arteries and left in situ for 7 days. Renal function and blood flow were measured by renograms, iohexol clearance and ultrasonic blood flow meter and patency was verified by angiograms. The kidneys were microscopically examined for signs of ischaemia and microemboli.


RESULTS
One renal artery covered by a graft-anchoring Gianturco stent occluded. The remaining renal arteries remained patent without any significant decrease in renal blood flow after stent deployment. Normal renal function and histology was maintained.


CONCLUSIONS
Aortic stents placed at the level of the renal arteries do not affect renal blood flow within 1 week in this experimental model. This may prove valuable in endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms and in other procedures involving stents.
Malina
M
M
Department of Vascular Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
Lindh
M
M
Ivancev
K
K
Frennby
B
B
Lindblad
B
B
Brunkwall
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011866:Radioisotope Renography; D012077:Renal Artery; D012079:Renal Circulation; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013552:Swine; D014654:Vascular Patency
D003404:Creatinine