Professor Thomas Roeren is Chairman of the Department of Radiology at the Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland, and Professor of radiology at the Medical School of Heidelberg University in Germany. He completed his radiology training in Freiburg, Philadelphia and San Antonio, before he became Assistant and later Associate Professor at Heidelberg University. Professor Roeren has conducted experimental and clinical research and studies specialising in interventional and abdominal radiology. He is currently President-elect of the Swiss Society of Radiology and fellow of several radiological societies. He has a special interest in the clinical training of radiology residents and fellows and in the development of integrated multidisciplinary solutions to clinical problems.

Thomas Roeren
Department of Radiology, Kantonsspital Aarau,
Switzerland

Address for correspondence:
Professor Dr Thomas Roeren
Department of Radiology
Kantonsspital, CH-5001 Aarau
Switzerland
Tel: +41-(62)-838-5252
Fax: +41-(62)-838-5247
Email: thomas.roeren@ksa.ch

Abstract
Renovascular hypertension (RHT) caused by renal artery stenosis (RAS) accounts for only 1–5% of all cases of arterial hypertension, but is the leading cause for secondary hypertension. Inadequate control of hypertension by medication and/or progressive renal failure are indications for interventional treatment of RAS. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) is the first-line intervention, while surgical revascularisation is only indicated very selectively. While technical success of PTRA is close to 100%, clinical cure or improvement are observed in only 50–75% of patients. Renal artery stenoses are anatomically divided into ostial lesions, which are primarily treated by stent PTRA, and post-ostial or truncal lesions, which are treated by balloon angioplasty. The restenosis rate for PTRA after 5 years is 30% with a technical success rate for re-interventions close to 100%.

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