Reverse cardiac remodelling and renal functional improvement following bilateral renal artery stenting for flash pulmonary oedema

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2013 Feb;28(2):479-83. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfr745. Epub 2012 Jan 19.

Abstract

Acute flash pulmonary oedema (AFPO) is a life-threatening syndrome almost unique to patients with atheromatous renovascular disease (ARVD). Although recurrent AFPO is a widely accepted indication to consider renal revascularization, this is based on a number of case reports/series describing a successful outcome post-procedure. There is limited literature on the pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment effects of revascularization to support this clinical decision making. We report the case of a 65-year-old lady who presented with three episodes of AFPO. Investigations revealed severe bilateral renal artery stenosis. Post-revascularization, she experienced substantial improvement in energy levels and New York Heart Association class, with improvement in her blood pressure and renal function. Post-procedure, there were dramatic improvements in her cardiac morphology and function that were sustained at 1 year (ejection fraction improved from 39 to 65%, left ventricular mass decreased from 161 to 116 g) as well as renal function (isotopic glomerular filtration rate increased from 22.4 to 34.2 mL/min). This report provides new insights into the pathophysiological relationships between renal and cardiac changes in AFPO; the extent of the cardiac morphological changes was striking and unexpected.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / blood supply
  • Kidney / physiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pulmonary Edema / etiology
  • Pulmonary Edema / surgery*
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / complications
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / surgery*
  • Stents*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Ventricular Remodeling / physiology*