Stents were deployed in 83 renal artery lesions of 63 subjects. All were hypertensive and 29 were renal insufficient (RI). Technical success was 99%. Long-term (11.3 f 3.8 months) patency was evaluated with ultrasound in 69 lesions (51 ostial). Technlcal success and long-term patency rates were not significantly dlfferent between ostial and non-ostlal lesions. Ten lesions restenosed (14%). At most recent follow-up (10.2 f 4.5 months) hypertensive subjects were classlfied as cured (3.7%), improved (35.2Oh), unchanged (!XU%), or worse (7.4%). Systolic pressure was significantly improved throughout follow-up but diastolic pressure was only significantly lower at discharge. Based on serum creatinine, RI subjects were classlfled as improved (36%), unchanged (46%), or worse (18%). Complications included transfusion (lo), renal artery perforation (3), and renal failure (8). Eight transfused subjects also had retroperltoneal bleeds. RI subjects were more likely to develop acute renal fallure. Subjects who died (9) were more likely to have RI at baseline and to suffer renal artery perforation during the procedure. Patient risk factors and procedural technique contributed to complications in this study, but for most patients stenting yielded excellent technical success and long-term patency for ostial and non-ostial lesions. The effect on blood pressure and renal functlon was favorable.