Transplant renal artery stenosis presenting with recurrent acute pulmonary edema

Abstract

Renal artery stenosis of the transplant kidney occurs in approximately 6% of renal allograft recipients. Severe bilateral renal artery stenosis and unilateral renal artery stenosis to a single functioning kidney have been described as causes of recurrent pulmonary edema in nontransplant patients with normal cardiac function. We report 2 patients with severe transplant renal artery stenosis who presented with recurrent episodes of acute pulmonary edema. Successful revascularization in 1 patient prevented the recurrence of pulmonary edema. In renal allograft recipients who present with unexplained recurrent episodes of acute pulmonary edema, who do not have an obvious cardiac cause, transplant renal artery stenosis should be considered as a possible etiology.