Introduction
Pediatric hypertension is considered a strong predictor for the development of hypertension
in adults and if left untreated can predispose to various cardiovascular complications.[1] Despite guidelines from various societies, there is inconsistent effort to regularly
measure blood pressures (BP) in children and most cases of pediatric hypertension
are diagnosed incidentally.[2] By definition, the presence of systolic BP more than 95th percentile for that age, sex, and height is considered as pediatric hypertension.[3] Up to 10% of these cases are attributed to renovascular hypertension (RVH) that
is due to any lesion reducing blood flow to part or one or both kidneys, with resulting
alterations in the renin–angiotensin system.[4] It is important to identify children with RVH, as many diseases causing RVH can
be treated by endovascular, or surgical interventions, in addition to optimal medical
management. Early identification and proper management can significantly improve the
child's long-term outcome.[3]
Etiology
The most common etiology of RVH in developed countries is fibromuscular dysplasia
(FMD) ([Figs. 1A-B] and [2]), while in Asian and African countries, Takayasu arteritis (TA) ([Fig. 3]) is more common.[5] Other uncommon causes of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in children can be either syndromic
(neurofibromatosis-1 [NF-1], tuberous sclerosis, William's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome)
or nonsyndromic (hypercoagulable states) ([Fig. 4A and B]) ([Table 1]). Most of the syndromic causes of RVH have bilateral RAS with concomitant involvement
of other visceral arteries. Previous studies have shown that 24 to 78% of patients
with RVH may have bilateral RAS.[5]
[6] Focal stenosis of renal arteries was seen more commonly than diffuse or multifocal
involvement. Stenotic lesions have been reported throughout the renovascular tree
in the main renal arteries in 25% of patients, in second-order branches in 50% of
patients, in 12.5% of patients in more distal “parenchymal” branches, and in accessory
renal arteries, respectively ([Fig. 5]).[6]
[7] In middle aortic syndrome (MAS), a syndromic cause of RVH, segmental narrowing of
the abdominal, or distal descending thoracic aorta is seen, which usually involves
the renal arteries in 60% of patients and other visceral branches, like intestinal,
iliac, carotid, cerebral, and brachial arteries.[3]
[5]
[6]
[8]
[9] MAS can be either congenital or acquired. In the congenital form, there is faulty
development of the abdominal aorta around day 25, due to improper fusion of the two
embryonic dorsal aortas to form a single vessel.[3] The acquired forms of MAS are associated with inflammatory conditions of the aorta
such as TA and NF-1.[6]
[7]
Fig. 1 (A) Maximum intensity projection image of computed tomography angiography in an adolescent
boy presenting with hypertension, demonstrating stenosis of proximal segment of right
renal artery (red arrow) with poststenotic dilatation due to fibromuscular dysplasia.
(B) Fibromuscular dysplasia: a. Renal angiogram showing beaded appearance of proximal
right renal artery (red arrow in a). b. Postpercutaneous angioplasty image showing
reduction in stenosis (red arrow in b).
Fig. 2 Right renal angiograms in an adolescent female with hypertension demonstrating aneurysmal
dilatation of the hilum of right renal artery also involving the hilar branches (black
arrows). (A) A discrete concentric lesion is seen causing significant stenosis; pressure gradient
proximal and distal to the stenosis was 60 mm Hg (black dashed arrow). (B) Postangioplasty reduction in stenosis (due to the discrete lesion—white arrow).
Fig. 3 Abdominal aortic angiogram in an adolescent girl who presented with neck pain and
unequal upper limb pulses, showing significant bilateral renal artery stenosis (red
arrows) and coexistent aortic stenosis (yellow arrow) due to Takayasu arteritis.
Fig. 4 (A) Right renal angiograms (a—early arterial and b—parenchymal phase) in a 10-year-old
boy who presented with hypertension and hematuria, showing multiple microaneurysms
(black arrow) within segmental and subsegmental renal artery branches suggestive of
Polyarteritis Nodosa. Persistent contrast pooling in the microaneurysms in the parenchymal
phase (white arrows in b), helping to differentiate from end-on vessels. (B) Angiogram of the common hepatic artery in the child as in (a) demonstrating segments of beading and stenosis in right, left hepatic arteries,
and segments of beading and stenosis (black arrows). b. Superior mesenteric artery
angiogram demonstrating multiple microaneurysms in distal branches (black arrows).
Fig. 5 Accessory renal artery occlusion in a 15-year-old girl with elevated blood pressures
above 95th centile: Angiogram showing occlusion of proximal and mid segments of the accessory
renal artery to left lower pole with distal filling through collaterals (black arrow).
Table 1
Causes of renovascular hypertension in children
|
Causes of renovascular hypertension in children (Involvement of main renal arteries
or segmental renal arteries or concurrent abdominal aortic involvement in the form
of middle aortic syndrome)
|
|
• Vasculitis—Takayasu arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki disease
• Fibromuscular dysplasia
• Neurofibromatosis
• William syndrome
• Congenital webs [Fig. 6]).
• Transplant renal artery stenosis [Fig. 7]).
|
Imaging in Pediatric Renovascular Hypertension
No single screening imaging modality can accurately diagnose all children with RAS.
All noninvasive imaging modalities have been used for diagnosing RAS in children,
with digital subtraction angiography being considered the gold standard for diagnosis.
[Table 2] provides a summary of all the imaging modalities available for the evaluation of
RVH.[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
Table 2
Imaging features in renovascular hypertension in children[28]
|
Modality
|
Diagnostic findings
|
Sensitivity and specificity (values mostly from adult studies)
|
|
Ultrasound
|
Parvus-et-tardus waveform
PSV > 180 or 200 cm/s
AT > 80 milliseconds
Renal artery aorta ratio > 3
Difference in RI > 0.05
Difference in kidney length ≥1 cm
|
73–85% and 71–92%
|
|
CEUS
|
Identification of perfusion defects useful for documenting postangioplasty increased
perfusion
|
Not routinely used for diagnosis
|
|
MRA
|
Narrowing in main or the accessory renal artery
Presence of collateral vessels
For evaluation of aorta and other nonvascular causes of hypertension
|
64–93% and 72–97% in various studies
|
|
CTA
|
Similar to MRA
|
64–94% and 62–97%
|
|
Renal scintigraphy
(99mTc-DMSA or 99mTc- MAG3)
|
Increase in time to peak activity in renogram curve
Delayed washout
|
52–93% and 63–92%
|
|
Renal vein renin sampling
|
Renin ratio of > 1.5 between main renal veins
Ratio of < 1.3 between the contralateral renal vein and IVC
|
56 and 94% (usually performed in bilateral cases)
|
|
Angiography
|
Direct visualization of a stenosed segment of the renal artery and its branches
|
Considered as gold standard for diagnosis of RAS
|
Abbreviations: 99mTc- DMSA, 99m technetium-dimercaptosuccinic acid; 99mTc- MAG3, 99m-Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine;
AT, acceleration time; CEUS, contrast-enhanced ultrasound; CTA, computed tomography
angiography; IVC, inferior vena cava; PSV, peak systemic velocity; MRA, magnetic resonance
angiography; RAAS, renin angiotensin-aldosterone system; RAR, renal artery to aortic
flow velocity ratio; RI, resistive index.
Management
Various treatment options for RVH include medical management, endovascular management,
and surgery. The primary goal of all treatment modalities is to control hypertension,
preserve renal function, and restore renal perfusion.[15] The primary treatment modality is decided by a multidisciplinary approach including
pediatric nephrologists, pediatric radiologists and interventional radiologists, and
pediatric surgeons.
Medical Management
Initial management of children with raised BP is done with antihypertensives. The
choice of the antihypertensives is based on the etiology. Angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers are preferably avoided in children with
bilateral RAS.[16] In addition, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring is helpful to provide information
about BP control.
Continuation of medical therapy is done in children, who are still being evaluated
for RAS or those unfit to undergo procedures like angioplasty or surgical intervention;
however, these children often require multiple antihypertensives of different classes
for optimal BP control.[5]
[6] Almost one in every two children who undergoes an interventional or surgical procedure
requires medical treatment in the postoperative period.[17] Careful monitoring of the child's adherence and evaluation for side effects of drugs
is also essential. In children with MAS and RAS, previous studies have shown that
delay in intervention till puberty has a better outcome.[18]
Angioplasty
Arterial stenosis in children with RVH is due to local intimal hyperplasia. Percutaneous
balloon angioplasty is the most used technique for RAS in children, especially in
children with lesions involving smaller lengths of renal arteries ([Figs. 6] and [7]). It is usually performed under general anesthesia using femoral or brachial artery
access.[11] The balloon diameter used for angioplasty varies with age and vessel size. Renal
artery diameter, proximal to the stenosed segment, is used to guide the sizing of
the angioplasty balloon, as poststenotic segment is often dilated. In unilateral disease,
however, the normal contralateral artery diameter can also be used to guide the balloon
size.[16] The use of high-pressure balloons and drug-eluting balloons to supplement conventional
angioplasty is uncommon in children.[19] Children, who have an inadequate response to angioplasty, are more prone to develop
worsening hypertension within a few months of the procedure.[16] These children might require secondary procedures for control of their BP. Children
may also show delayed clinical response after angioplasty. This is thought to be related
to spasm resulting in a false impression of residual stenosis on postplasty angiograms
or due to an increase in luminal diameter over time during healing by retraction of
fibrous bands.[20]
[21] Restenosis following angioplasty is seen in as high as 41% of cases and requires
repeat angioplasty.[6]
[20] Time to restenosis has been shown in different studies to range from as low as 2
weeks to 60 months.[22] In the long term, the success for angioplasty for FMD in children is less than that
reported for adults, while the ostial stenosis secondary to NF-1 has better treatment
outcomes.[11]
[23] Other reasons for a lower response in children may be higher rates of multiple stenoses,
especially those with MAS who present with widespread disease, including bilateral
RAS and intrarenal involvement. In such cases, in the presence of significant intrarenal
disease, successful treatment of main artery stenoses might still fail to improve
the BP.[3]
Fig. 6 Left renal angiograms in an 8-month-old female infant presenting with heavy breathing
and blood pressure over 95th centile for age.(A) Significant discrete stenosis of left lower polar artery due to congenital fibrous
band with the slow differential antegrade flow. (B)Balloon angioplasty of the stenotic segment. (C) Postangioplasty angiogram showing reduction in stenosis and good antegrade flow.
Fig. 7 A 10-year-old male child patient postrenal transplantation presenting with hypertension
and altered renal function test. (A) Abdominal aortic angiogram showing the transplant renal artery (end to side anastomosis
with right external iliac artery) with significant anastomotic site stenosis (black
arrow). (B) Postangioplasty reduction in stenosis (black dashed arrow).
Cutting balloon angioplasty is used for high-grade lesions and lesions resistant to
treatment with conventional and high-pressure angioplasty.[3]
[23]
[24] It is now recommended to limit the use of cutting balloons, only for the incisional
phase with balloon diameter limited to no more than normal vessel diameter after which
further dilatation should be done with a conventional balloon.[24] This recommendation was made, as many studies showed complications like dissections
and aneurysms developing after the use of cutting balloons in children. Additionally,
imaging modalities like intravascular ultrasound can be used that can guide the safe
placement of the balloon at the desired location.[24]
Stenting
The use of stents is generally not preferred in children, as they can act as sites
of stenosis when the child grows. Even in cases refractory to conventional balloon
angioplasty, repeat angioplasty is more suitable as compared with stenting. Various
published studies have shown that the rate of restenosis after stenting is significantly
higher (close to 35%) as compared with only angioplasty which has a restenosis rate
of approximately 17%.[22]
[25] Currently, there are only a few indications for stenting in children, which include
very severe or recurrent lesions, and managing iatrogenic dissections, which show
significant elastic recoil or restenosis after angioplasty.[13]
[23]
[25]
Ethanol Embolization
Ethanol embolization can be used when segmental arterial stenosis is detected as the
cause of RVH (lesions that are not amenable to angioplasty or open surgery).[3] Super selective embolization of segmental artery is done with ethanol causing coagulative
necrosis and subtended parenchymal infarction.[11]
Aortic Interventions
Aortic angioplasty with or without stenting is required in patients with combined
MAS with associated RAS. These patients often have hypertension that is refractory
to medical management, despite multiple classes of antihypertensives being used.[3] Various studies have shown that there is a significant drop in systolic BP in these
patients, when compared with patients with isolated RAS with angioplasty; however,
long-term outcomes are variable.[8]
[26]
Complications of Endovascular Management
Various studies have reported complications ranging between 0 and 43%, following endovascular
procedures for RVH in children.[6]
[23] Procedural complications include arterial spasm, dissection or aneurysm formation,
delayed pseudoaneurysm formation, and iatrogenic perforation. Focal renal ischemia
or infarction can develop secondary to embolic phenomenon distal to angioplasty site
or due to thrombosis of segmental vessels, after prolonged guidewire placement. Local
site dissection can be expected at the site of balloon dilatation due to vascular
remodeling. Such dissections are seen more frequently with cutting balloon angioplasty
than conventional angioplasty, and may not be hemodynamically significant.[5] Procedure-related mortality has previously been rarely reported. If an inadvertent
arterial rupture occurs, balloon reinflation or covered stent placement may be attempted,
failing which urgent surgical consultation should be obtained.[13]
[23] Postprocedural complications include accelerated or worsening hypertension that
increase the risk of stroke in children[5] therefore, preprocedural assessment of head and neck vessels should always be performed.[23]
Surgery
Surgery is usually reserved for children with complicated RAS (i.e., long stenotic
lesions [>10 mm], multiple segment stenosis of large vessels, or bilateral RAS), due
to technical challenges in small children.[17]
[23]
[24] There is a paucity of surgical data in the pediatric population. Most of the surgeries
are performed, when children attain adult-sized vasculature. Bridging this gap with
endovascular treatment can lead to secondary fibrotic changes, necessitating alterations
in the typical surgical approach from primary renal arterial reimplantation to aortorenal
bypass.[27] Due to the established safety and success of endovascular interventions, most institutions
prefer endovascular treatment for RAS.
Conclusion
RVH is an important cause of secondary hypertension in children. Lack of prospective
studies due to the heterogeneity of the population being affected is an important
challenge in formulation of uniform guidelines for management. A multidisciplinary
approach including pediatric radiologists and interventional radiologists, pediatric
nephrologists, and pediatric surgeons is vital for optimal clinical outcome. Endovascular
therapy with angioplasty is generally preferred in appropriately selected children
with good clinical outcomes.
