Spleno-renal artery transposition in a solitary functioning kidney for treatment-resistant hypertension and acute kidney injury

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Aug 16:2017:bcr2017220438. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220438.

Abstract

Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS) is an important cause of treatment-resistant hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension with RAS can cause progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to end-stage kidney disease. Therapeutic revascularisation can be helpful in appropriate circumstances where pharmaceutical intervention has failed and significant renovascular disease contributes to resistant hypertension. We present an interesting case of a Caucasian male with peripheral vasculopathy, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), single functioning kidney and ostial RAS caused by stent struts from an endovascular AAA stent graft. He had escalating medications requirement, with repeated failed attempts at percutaneous radiological intervention that led to an episode of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), before undergoing successful surgical revascularisation by a splenic artery transposition graft to the left renal artery that was performed to improve kidney function and the blood pressure. This report highlights the challenges faced with regard to the management of severe hypertension and progressive CKD.

Keywords: abdominal aortic aneurysm; chronic kidney disease; peripheral vascular disease; renal artery stenosis; resistant hypertension; revascularisation; splenic artery bypass graft; stent graft.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / complications
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnostic imaging
  • Acute Kidney Injury / surgery
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Male
  • Renal Artery / surgery*
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / complications
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / surgery
  • Solitary Kidney*
  • Splenic Artery / surgery*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures