OBJECTIVE To investigate the renal-protective effect of lercanidipine in patients undergoing renal artery intervention. METHODS A prospective, single-center, cohort study was conducted and patients, 30-75 years of age, with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis were consecutively enrolled between September 2011 and October 2012. Lercanidipine (10-20 mg/day) was regularly taken after the intervention. Follow up visits were performed at 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Serum creatinine, clinical blood pressure, 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and 24 hour urine protein were assessed. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS In total, 55 patients (mean age 63.5 ± 8.9 years) were enrolled and 52 completed the study. Renal function, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and 24 hour urine protein at 3 months after the intervention were not statistically different compared with the baseline. At 6 months after the intervention eGFR significantly increased versus baseline (78 ± 23 ml/min/1.73 m(2) vs 71 ± 21 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.021); 24 hour urine protein decreased significantly (0.02 g [IQR, 0.01-0.1] vs 0.03 g [IQR, 0.01-0.28], p = 0.042). Blood pressure control improved at 3 months and 6 months after the intervention. The need for antihypertensive drugs decreased; clinical systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and 24 hour average systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased. The pulse wave velocity decreased after 3 and 6 months. At the end of follow-up, none of the following adverse events occurred: death, dialysis, myocardial infarction or stroke. Mild lower extremity edema occurred in only one patient. No other side effects occurred. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that lercanidipine can improve renal function in patients undergoing renal artery intervention.