Ischemic renal disease (IRD) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. Its prevalence is mainly known from autopsy or retrospective arteriographic studies.

This prospective study was conducted in 115 subjects selected from 732 patients with advanced chronic renal failure (CRF). Only patients with clinical features suggestive of IRD were selected for this study. In addition to detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation, captopril renal scintigraphy was performed in selected cases. All subjects underwent renal arteriog raphy and all were followed up for 18.4 ± 11.4 months. Renovascular disease was seen in 15 patients and significant bilateral renal artery disease leading to IRD was observed in 13 (11.3%). Hence the prevalence of IRD in the advanced CRF patients was 1.7%. The majority of patients with IRD (8 [61%]) were above 46 years of age and there were more men than women (10:3).

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease was the most common (10 [77%]), even though arthritis (1 [7.6%]), and fibromuscular dysplasia (2 [15.3%]) were also observed. Serum crea tinine at time of presentation was significantly higher in patients with IRD (784 ±292, p = 0.043) compared to those who did not have IRD (359 ± 126). Corrective procedures were performed in 5 patients. After treatment the improvement in serum creatinine in patients with IRD at 3 and 6 months (166 ±32 and 173 ±47, respectively) was significantly different (p≤0.05) compared to those who were not treated (610 ± 194 and 645 ±220, respectively). Hyper lipidemia, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease were more prevalent in patients who had IRD compared to those with renal failure. The incidence of diabetes mellitus were similar in both groups.

This study denotes a lower prevalence of IRD in the advanced CRF population; they had more severe renal failure at presentation but specific corrective treatment delayed progression of renal disease significantly.