Hypertension Following Renal Artery Embolization for Renal Angiomyolipoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Review

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the incidence and persistence of systemic hypertension following embolization of renal angiomyolipomas with particles. Retrospective review of patients who underwent particle embolization of angiomyolipomas was conducted at a single institution from 2010 to 2021. Blood pressure measurements were obtained at three time points: before treatment, within 30 days following treatment, and greater than 30 days following treatment. Patients were excluded for lack of follow-up blood pressure data. Hypertension was defined as systolic pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg or diastolic pressure ≥ 80 mm Hg. Fifty-four renal embolization procedures in 38 patients were included in the final cohort. An initial increase in blood pressure by at least 10 mm Hg was noted following 23/54 (43%) procedures. Some cases were transient, but persistently increased blood pressure after 30-days was seen following 13/49 (27%) procedures. New-onset hypertension ≥ 130/80 was detected in 12/38 (32%) patients and persisted beyond 30-days in 8/34 (24%) patients. Anti-hypertensive medications were initiated in 14/38 (37%) patients following the procedure. Of 9/54 (17%) procedures with evidence of nontarget embolization on angiography, 4/9 (44%) had transient hypertension, and one had persistent hypertension. The incidence of postprocedural hypertension following particle embolization of renal angiomyolipomas may be unexpectedly high in this patient population.