The prevalence of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis in risk groups: a systematic literature review

Objective We performed a literature review and analysis to improve the insight in the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in risk groups. Methods Relevant studies were identified by a MEDLINE and EMBASE database search (1966 to December 2007), complemented by hand searching of reference lists. Review was restricted to English language studies, using any form of angiography as diagnostic method. Studies were grouped in risk group categories sharing similar clinical characteristics, and pooled prevalence rates were calculated for each category. Results Forty studies, involving a total number of 15 879 patients, were identified. The following pooled prevalence rates (95% confidence interval; sample size risk group) of RAS were found: suspected renovascular hypertension, 14.1% (12.7 - 15.8%; n = 1931); hypertension and diabetes mellitus, 20% (14.9 - 25.1%; n = 240); coronary angiography (CAG) in consecutive patients, 10.5% (9.8 - 11.2%; n = 8011); CAG in hypertensive patients, 17.8% (15.4 - 20.6%; n = 836); CAG and suspected renovascular disease, 16.6% (14.8 - 18.5%; n = 1576); congestive heart failure, 54.1% (45.7 - 62.3%; n = 135); peripheral vascular disease, 25.3% (23.6 - 27.0%; n = 2632); abdominal aortic aneurysm, 33.1% (27.4 - 39.2%; n = 239) and end-stage renal failure, 40.8% (27 - 55.8%; n = 49.) In patients with an incidentally discovered RAS, hypertension and renal failure were present in 65.5 and 27.5%, respectively. Conclusion RAS has a high prevalence in risk groups, especially in those with extrarenal atherosclerosis, end-stage renal failure and heart failure. These findings are important when screening for RAS or prescription of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-II receptor blocker is considered. J Hypertens 27:1333-1340 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.