Renal artery stenosis presenting as preeclampsia

Abstract

Background: Renal artery stenosis is a notorious cause of secondary hypertension which classically presents as chronic refractory hypertension, recurrent flash pulmonary edema or renal insufficiency after initiation of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Rarely, there have been reported cases of pregnant patients presenting with new onset or superimposed preeclampsia secondary to renovascular hypertension. In this subset of patients, renovascular hypertension carries significantly higher risks including obstetric, fetal and medical emergencies and death. Prompt treatment is required. However, the teratogenic risks of radiological investigations and antihypertensive medications limit diagnostic and management options thus posing quite a dilemma. Case presentation: A 38-year-old female, at 33 weeks of gestation, was hospitalized for preeclampsia with severe features. A viable neonate had been expeditiously delivered yet the patient’s post-partum blood pressures remained severely elevated despite multi-class anti-hypertensive therapy. Renal artery dopplers revealed greater than 60% stenosis of the proximal left renal artery and at least 60% stenosis of the right renal artery. Renal angiography showed 50% stenosis of the left proximal renal artery for which balloon angioplasty and stenting was performed. The right renal artery demonstrated less than 50% stenosis with an insignificant hemodynamic gradient, thus was not stented. Following revascularization, the patient’s blood pressure improved within 48 h, on dual oral antihypertensive therapy. Conclusions: Preeclampsia that is refractory to multi-drug antihypertensive therapy should raise suspicion for renal artery stenosis. Suspected patients can be screened safely with Doppler ultrasonography which can be then followed by angiography. Even if renal artery stenosis does not seem severe, early renal revascularization may be considered in patients with severe preeclampsia who do not respond to antihypertensive management. Background: Renal artery stenosis is a notorious cause of secondary hypertension resulting from the activation of the renin-angiotensin system in response to reduced renal blood flow. Classic presentations include chronic refractory hypertension, recurrent flash pulmonary edema and renal insufficiency after initiation of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Although rare, there have also been reported cases of pregnant patients presenting with new onset or superimposed preeclampsia secondary to renovascular hypertension [1, 2]. In this subset of patients, renovascuar hypertension carries significantly higher risks including obstetric, fetal and medical emergencies and death. Prompt treatment is required. However, the teratogenic risks of radiological investigations and antihypertensive medications such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or aldosterone antagonists limit management options and poses quite the dilemma. When possible, expedited delivery is beneficial; notwithstanding the fact that there has been success with interventional treatment prior to successful delivery. Furthermore, even after delivery, the mortality risk of pre-eclampsia continues into the post-partum period thus urgent and aggressive treatment strategies should continue to be pursued for these patients including consideration of early revascularization.