title: [Technical feasibility of the implantation of a monorail stent system into the renal arteries without pre-dilatation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the technical feasibility of the implantation of the monorail RX Herculink system into the renal arteries without pre-dilatation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients (mean age 71 years) from four centers with a total of 44 renal artery stenoses underwent implantation of the RX Herculink stent. The mean grade of the stenosis was 83.8 %, the mean length 7.5 mm. The stenoses were ostial in 38 cases and in immediate proximity to the ostium in 6 cases. The mean follow-up-period was 57 weeks (24 - 176 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 42 cases, the implantation was successful without pre-dilatation. In 2 cases, pre-dilatation was carried out. In none of the cases, detachment of the stent from the balloon was observed. In one stenosis with a length of 17 mm, implantation of two stents was performed. In 9 cases, post-dilatation with a larger balloon or higher balloon pressure was necessary. Residual stenoses exceeding 30 % were not observed. Two patients developed local bleeding at the puncture site. During the follow-up, restenoses were observed in 5 stents after 26 to 126 weeks, which necessitated a second intervention in 3 cases (PTA in 2 cases, re-stenting in 1 case). The primary patency rate after 6 and 12 months was 0.92 +/- 0.056 according to Kaplan-Meier, the secondary patency rate after 6 and 12 months was 1.0 +/- 0.0.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implantation of the RX Herculink stent system into the renal arteries without pre-dilatation is technically feasible and safe. Even without pre-dilatation, the stent-system can be advanced through the stenosis without detachment. The complication rate is low. Our clinical results are comparable to previous studies.
authors.affiliation: Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder, Eisenstadt, Osterreich. christian.neumann@bbeisen.at
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gschwendtner
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Karnel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dorffner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dorffner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors