Renal artery stenosis (kidney artery narrowing)

Description A narrowing in the ...

Description

A narrowing in the diameter of the renal arteries. The decreased blood flow to the kidneys may lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). The main cause of the narrowing is atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposits), other more rare causes include fibromuscular dysplasia (a variation of blood vessel shape), inflammation of the arteries (vasculitis) and dissection of the artery (a tearing of the vessel).

Symptoms

There are usually no symptoms. Elevated blood pressure that is difficult to control can be an early sign.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to establish the diagnosis and define the damage done may include: blood tests to measure the hormones "rennin" and "aldosterone," CT scan, radionuclide scan of the kidneys, renal arteriogram, renal perfusion scintiscan, urine concentration test.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), Ultrasound

Other Specific Tests: Radionuclide renogram, renal arteriogram, renal perfusion scintiscan, urine concentration test

Specialists:
Nephrology, Pediatric Nephrology

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. It is often not worth treating this problem, except to carefully control the blood pressure. Options to increase blood flow to the kidney include balloon angioplasty and/or surgery. Blood pressure medications are given to control the hypertension.