Post-Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis (TRAS) is a well-identified vascular complication after kidney transplant; it is associated with premature kidney failure, uncontrolled hypertension, and allograft loss. TRAS incidence reported vary in different series, ranged from 1% to 12%, these discrepancies traduce the lake of homogenous criteria used to establish the diagnosis and the presence of asymptomatic lesions [1] [2] [3]. Our main interest in this paper is about the so-called proximal-TRAS (pro-TRAS) id stenosis close to the iliac artery. However, few case reports have described the clinical settings, outcome, and treatment in patients with Prox-TRAS. Data suggests that the incidence for Prox-TRAS is around 2.4% [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. Many factors can lead to this anatomic abnormality, such as chronic rejection, long renal artery compression, kinking, and atherosclerotic disease [9]. Furthermore, due to the increased acceptance of elderly patients for kidney transplantation, it’s evident to expect an augmentation number of patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD). Therefore, although the present study is retrospective, we emphasize the role of extended image investigations other than Echo-Doppler (ED) criteria for early diagnosis of Prox-TRAS, and we assess non-invasive follow-up base in clinical and laboratory findings before and after treatment with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA), Stenting (PTAS).

We reviewed the medical record of kidney transplant recipients of the General Hospital of Ciudad Real, Spain, from March 2008 to March 2019; we identified and selected all cases (260) with the diagnosis of renal vascular hypertension by imaging studies. Of those 260 (174 men for 86 women aged between 27 to 67 years old, mean 47 years renal vascular stenosis, five (4 men and one woman) were diagnosed with proximal iliac artery stenosis Angio-CT and arteriography. To vascular risk factors, hypertension was present in all patients 5/5, diabetes in 3/5, lipid hyperlipidemia in 5/5, smoking in 2/5, hyperuricemia in 2/5. The period range in dialysis previous to the TXP was between 1 to 12 years. The pre-transplantation evaluation identified in all patients some degree of a preexisting renovascular disease. The average time between transplantation and renal function deterioration or hypertension ranged from 12 to 60 months. All patients underwent Doppler-sonography evaluation using 2- to 5-MHz transducers color software. Peak systolic velocities (V max) within the graft arteries were measured under continuous correction of the Doppler beam angle. Arterial stenosis was identified according to the fallowing diagnostic protocol. Technical examination encompasses measurement velocities within interlobar arteries of the upper pole, midportion, and lower pole of the kidney. After calculation parameters of peak-systolic (V_max) and end-diastolic (V_min) V_mean from the area under the curve of one pulse cycle. The Persistence Index (PI) was calculated based on the doppler waveform according to the formula.

PI = ( V max − V min ) V Mean

We take into consideration an average of three calculations of PIs over time to give a mean value. Further, peak-systolic velocities within the graft arteries were measured under continuous correction of the Doppler beam angle.

TRAS was suspected of an increase of V_max > 150% within the stenosis compared to the pre-or Post-stenotic flow velocity. Therefore, Prox-TRAS was assumed in the case of: pulsus parvus waveform (slow-rising), high systolic peak velocity (V_max > 200 cm/s) within the aortoiliac region, and if the flow curve’s triphasic form was lost distal to the anastomosis with the transplant artery, decreased (interlobar) renal arterial resistive index (RI): <0.55.

Among patients with Pro-TRAS diagnosis, one was identified using the Ultrasonography echo-doppler method (Figure 1). The others 5 patients presented with persistent hypertension (161 ± 12 and 86 ± 7 mmHg), renal dysfunction (eGFR calculated with Cockroft-Gault formula) 22.1 ± 11.4 ml/min and 2 patients presented with flash pulmonary edema (Pickering Syndrome). Although ED could not identify renal arterial stenosis, this entity was strongly suspected due to clinical presentation and the absence of any urinary abnormalities’ sediment, and Angio-CT was performed.

Angio-CT with three-dimensional images showed caliber changed allow direct visualization of Atheromatous lesions in the iliac arteries, specifically at the proximal segment of the left iliac artery (Figure 2). Arteriography followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with tent placement was performed (Figure 2), and clinical parameters and evolution analyzed (Table 1).

From March 2008 to March 2019, Prox-TRAS was diagnosed in 5 of the 260 patients who presented acute or progressive allograft dysfunction with refractory hypertension, with an incidence rate of 1.4%. In 4 of them (1.1%) we had to resort to another imaging test arteriography, angio-CT, as the echo-doppler could not identify the abnormality. Hypertension was a constant finding along with impaired renal function (100%); concerning Prox-TRAS, its onset was later (12 - 60 months) after transplantation (TX). An increase in TA (140 ± 10 and 80.7 ± 7 to 160 ± 18 and 85 ± 7 mmHg, p-0.009 was observed. There was an increase in the use of hypotensive drugs (2.1 ± 1.1 and 4.3 ± 1, P-0.003). Similarly, in all cases, a worsening of basal creatinine (Crb) from 0.9 ± 0.1 a 1.2 (P × 0.004) and renal dysfunction (eGFR calculated with Cockroft-Gault formula) 22.1 ± 11.4 ml/min, was also observed in all cases. Prox-TRAS was a cause of the increase in both creatinine and TA (140 ± 10 and 80.7 ± 7 to 160 ± 18 and 85 ± 7 mmHg, P.0.009). All cases were treated by Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent placement, N = 5. In the follow-up, improvement was obtained from the claudication clinic as well as renal function and blood pressure, Crb (from 2.7 ± 1.4 to 1.8 ± 0.4 mg/dL, P-0.02) and TA 160 ± 18/85 ± 7 mmHg at 138 ± 7/82 ± 9, P 0.018). Kidney function, blood pressure remained unchanged during follow-up (132 ± 60 months) (Table 1).

Several factors can cause TRAS, which will depend on the location and the time between transplantation. When stenosis occurs later after transplantation, it most commonly reveals atherosclerotic disease either of the renal transplant artery or the proximal iliac artery [10]. Prox-TRAS is uncommon, but its clinical symptoms are similar to those of TRAS and usually appear later after transplantation in patients with atherosclerotic disease. Additional findings such as renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy are present in patients with stable kidney function. Peripheral arterial obstructive disease of the lower extremity resulting from peripheral artery resistance can also be present as part of a established peripheral artery resistance disease [11] [12] [13].

In Patients who developed refractory hypertension and allograft dysfunction, physical examination can reveal low femoral pulse reduction and an essential reduction of the lower ankle-brachial index on the right side versus the left [14]; this finding suggested stenosis of the right iliac artery, confirmed was obtained later by the angiographic investigation.

The prevalence and incidence of Prox-TRAS tend to increase due to the augmentation of elderly patients for kidney transplantation and the acceptance of older persons to donate organs. Both groups (recipient and donors) of the population are more likely to present atherosclerotic and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD). Thus, native aortoiliac branch atherosclerosis or its afterward development close to the graft is to be expected [15]. Early recognition of this entity is crucial since it leads to sufficient and rapid treatment of the allograft dysfunction; therefore, follow-up examination should consider vascular problems close to the kidney artery transplant and proximal to the iliac artery. Identifying TRAS’s is not always straightforward; it depends upon having a high index of suspicion and choosing an appropriate imaging modality. Accessible and non-invasive tools as Doppler ultrasound imaging can lead to the diagnosis. But it also depends of the operator and requires identification flux dynamic parameters in color doppler of artery stenosis and adequate patient morphology (less sensitive with obese patients). With high suspicion, CT-Angiography or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is more susceptible to identify the disease even in less symptomatic clinical presentation; Even though the definitive diagnosis and treatment of significant arterial stenosis is established by arteriography combined with angioplasty and stenting when indicated [16] [17].

Furthermore, in our center, our practice is to assess clinical manifestations of allograft malfunction presented with severe hypertension by angiography procedure independently of the echo-doppler findings. After the treatment of iliac artery stenosis proximal to renal anastomosis, our cohort patient remained with stable kidney function and free from clinic claudication at least 5 years after follow-up patients. Some others advocate upon measurement of plasma renin levels, but it must be interpreted carefully in TRAS since renin hypersecretion from the kidney transplant can be found in rejection without renal artery stenosis [18]. Others propose isotopic scintigraphy before and after a dose of Captopril and a reported sensitivity of 75% but a specificity of 67% [19].

Captopril renography has been reported to have high predictive for significant renal artery stenosis [20]. Even if the gold standard for diagnosing TRAS is selective graft arteriography, special caution should be taken for contrast-induced kidney injury and allergic reactions [19] [21].

With the three-dimensional reconstruction of vessels, computed tomography can provide satisfactory images, therefore prevent less arterial contrast infusion [22]. It’s essential to highlight no clear evidence of contrast-induced acute kidney failure [23] [24] in transplant recipients. As computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging can be a useful diagnostic test, with special warning and concerns about systemic nephrogenic fibrosis [25].

Few fortunate centers with the accessibility use carbon dioxide angiography to successfully visualize the stenosis as a preferred imaging technique, as it avoids nephrotoxicity and hypersensitivity reactions [26], but these investigations are expensive and not universally available.

The first line initial therapy is Percutaneous Transluminal Balloon Renal Angioplasty [27] [28] [29] [30]. In over 70% of cases, this procedure shows either definitive improvement treatment with the progressive withdrawal of at least two or more hypotensive drugs. Furthermore, few series describe recovery of the renal graft function in some patients who end up with dialysis requirement [29] [30]. In our small series number these improvements were observed in all (100%) of our patient’s follow up.

The initial interventional procedure of choice for high-grade renal artery stenosis is Patients with TRAS and Prox-TRAS is percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, in case of failure of this procedure, surgical revascularization is then indicated.

Stenotic artery lesions in allograft Renal Transplant more often occur close to the anastomosis, and it is a well-recognized vascular allograft abnormality. It is also essential to know that stretch of an artery branch can also take place in more proximally to the aortoiliac segment. The objective of this article is to enhance clinicians’ experiences on the identification of rare cases of vascular kidney graft dysfunction. In the presence of an acute onset of refractory hypertension, a late deterioration of renal graft function without significant urinary sediment alterations, or any others identified etiology; we consider it advisable to insist the investigation on others imaging tests other than echo-doppler (Angio-TAC contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, Carbon dioxide angiography). When PTA indicated it should be performed since the overall benefice over the risk of this procedure, considering its relatively low invasiveness. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment intervention are of major significance in the prognostic and recuperation of the kidney graft function. This review highlights that PTA is a reliable therapeutic procedure with a high clinical success rate, lasting therapeutic response. Those results are from more cases independent of the topography of stenosis anatomy from the iliac to the renal artery of the kidney transplant.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Makenzi, D., Carreno, A., Catarovich, D., Yvonne, H.M., Martin, P., Carero, A., De la Nieta, S., Maldonado, M., Pinar, A., Martin, M. and Victoria, M. (2021) Proximal Iliac Artery Stenosis in Allograft Renal Transplant, a Diagnostic beyond Echo-Doppler, Treatment Approach. Open Journal of Nephrology, 11, 295-303. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojneph.2021.113024