Commentary: Shoot the renals!

Abstract

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is a growing dilemma. The condition is increasingly common and can promulgate hypertension and result in renal failure. However, patients with ARAS generally die owing to their coronaries or cerebral vessels. Intervention, by stenting or angioplasty is beloved and believed, but not proved. The American Heart Association has recently published guidelines regarding patients at high risk for ARAS who are potential candidates for revascularisation. Since this phraseology includes practically every patient with atherosclerosis, these guidelines appear ill advised.