PURPOSE:

The optimal treatment for hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis comparing the effects of balloon angioplasty and medical therapy in these patients.

METHODS:

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Science Citation Index, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, and reference lists. Authors of published trials were contacted.

RESULTS:

We identified three trials involving a total of 210 patients with moderate-to-severe (> or = 50%) unilateral or bilateral atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and poorly controlled hypertension who were followed for at least 3 months after intervention. Balloon angioplasty was significantly more effective in reducing blood pressure than was medical therapy; the weighted mean difference between the two treatments was -7 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI]: -12 to -1 mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and -3 mm Hg (95% CI: -6 to -1 mm Hg) for diastolic blood pressure. There was no consistent difference in changes in renal function. Patients treated with balloon angioplasty were more likely to have patent renal arteries after 12 months (52% vs. 19%; odds ratio [OR] = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.8 to 9.8), used fewer antihypertensive medications, and appeared to have fewer major cardiovascular and renovascular complications (OR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.23; P = 0.09).

CONCLUSION:

Balloon angioplasty has a modest but significant effect on blood pressure and should be considered for patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and poorly controlled hypertension. There is no evidence supporting its use in improving or preserving renal function, although none of the trials were designed to address this issue.