Management of Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) was universally fatal until dialysis (peritoneal and hemodialysis) and renal transplantation were introduced. However, there are multiple complications associated with transplantation including transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). Transplant renal artery stenosis is an important cause of premature renal failure, uncontrolled hypertension, and allograft loss. There are 3 treatment modalities available for TRAS: optimal medical therapy alone, percutaneous intervention, and surgical revascularization both with optimal medical therapy. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has now become the initial treatment of choice for TRAS. However, there are conflicting data regarding the efficacy of PTA, with growing evidence showing lack of significant benefit in blood pressure (BP) or renal function in patients undergoing PTA versus medical management. However, there have been no randomized control studies that have established the superiority of either method. We review the existing data and analyze management of TRAS as reported in multiple case series including findings from our center.