Objective: To investigate the diagnosis and management of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) caused by early stage acute allograft rejection.
Method: A retrospective study was conducted in 3 cases with diagnoses of TRAS and early stage acute allograft rejection confirmed by color Doppler ultrasonography, renal artery angiography, and renal graft biopsy.
Results: Antirejection therapy was carried on subsequently rather than percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting. The blood pressure and creatinine level which were abnormal at the time of diagnosis of TRAS and acute allograft rejection returned to normal after antirejection treatment in those patients. Moreover, TRAS was not detected any more by color Doppler ultrasonography during the follow-up period.
Conclusion: TRAS is associated with early stage acute allograft rejection episodes. Color Doppler ultrasonography is useful in screening and follow-up of TRAS. Transplant renal arteriography is the gold standard for diagnosis. Antirejection therapy is an effective therapeutic modality other than percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting for TRAS.