Prospective Study Of The Long-Term Effects Of Shock Wave Lithotripsy On Renal Function And Blood Pressure

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Hypertension;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Diabetes
Article Date: 17 May 2008 - 1:00 PST

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UroToday.com - The debate regarding the long-term effects of SWL on patient hypertension and diabetes continues.

These researchers from Egypt prospectively randomized 100 patients with a single, 2 cm or less renal stone and similar BMI's, treated with unilateral SWL on an electrohydraulic (Dornier MFL 5000) or an electromagnetic (Dornier Lithotripter S) lithotripter unit. The patients were evaluated with MAG3 renal scans, KUB, and excretory urography before SWL and KUB, ultrasound post SWL. At 3 months they were re-evaluated with a spiral CT and MAG3 renal scan.

There was no difference between the two study groups in their glomerular filtration rate and split functions for the treated kidney before and after SWL treatment. Similarly there was no difference in diastolic or systolic blood pressure between the two groups. Of equal importance, there was no difference in blood pressure or glomerular filtration rate at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years in the entire group. Three of the 100 patients (3%) developed high blood pressure during follow-up, compared to the Egyptian National Hypertension Project estimated overall prevalence of hypertension in Egypt of 26%.

Judicious unilateral SWL appears to be safe with no significant long-term effects on renal function or blood pressure regardless of the type of lithotripsy machine used.

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Elspeth M. McDougall, MD, FRCSC

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