BERKELEY, CA (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.

Eassa WA, Sheir KZ, Gad HM, Dawaba ME, El-Kenawy MR, Elkappany HA

J Urol. 2008 Mar;179(3):964-8
doi10.1016/j.juro.2007.10.055

PubMed Abstract
PMID: 18207167

\n This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

UroToday.com Female Urology Section

Written by Elspeth M. McDougall, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

Please log-in or register in order to submit comments.

Powered by AkoComment!