[eddiecic]

I am a 60 year old male and was diagnosed with Renal Artery Stenosis (right renal artery) three years ago. The diagnosis happened after the stenosis elavated my BP and put me into heart failure. My cardiologist stented the artery (April 2005). In September of 2006, the artery again closed to over 80% closed. My cardiologist added a second stent. In November of 2007 the artery again closed to over 90% closed. This time the same cardiologist used a baloon angioplasty to reopen the artery. He only gives the artery a 50/50 chance of staying open. Based on this diagnosis, he recommeded a surgical bypass and referred me to a vascular surgeon (after consultation with a kidney specialist who supported the surgical decision).

The vascular surgeon, after performing another angiogram, will not do the surgery. I have had an illiac artery repair, gall bladder surgery, abdominal hernia repair and have diabetes and CHF. He said the risk (dealing with scar tissue and mesh from the other surgeries) outweighs the benefits since the artery is currently open. Should I heed the advice of my cardiologist (who I have been with for years) and ask for a referral to another vascular surgeon or abide with this surgeon's opinion and wait until if or when the artery would again narrow? The kidney specialist fears the possibility of sudden restenosis or collapse of the artery, which could damage the kidney beyond repair. I also have stage 3 kidney disease, which he said could cause the left kidney to fail if this were to happen.

I have an appointment with my cardiologist to ask his opinion and to see if he supports the current course of treatment (watch and wait).