Renovascular Hypertension
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Treatment
Renal (Kidney) Angiography
Angiography is an exam of the arteries and veins to diagnose blockages and other blood vessel problems. An interventional radiologist performs this procedure, also called an angiogram or venogram, on an out-patient basis. During the angiogram, the doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into the artery through a small incision in the skin. A substance called a contrast agent (X-ray dye) is injected to make the blood vessels visible on the X-ray. One of the most common reasons for angiography is to see if there is a blockage or narrowing in a blood vessel that may interfere with the normal flow of blood through the body. In many cases, the interventional radiologist can treat a blocked blood vessel without surgery at the same time the angiogram is performed using techniques called angioplasty and thrombolysis.
Renal Artery Balloon Angioplasty and Stent Placement
Angioplasty is a technique for opening up narrowed blood vessels, such as in the legs or the neck. A very small balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel through a small nick in the skin. The catheter is threaded under X-ray guidance to the site of the narrowed artery. The balloon is inflated to open the artery. Sometimes, a small metal scaffold called a stent is also inserted to hold the blood vessel open. Angioplasty and stents often replace by-pass graft surgery in treating artery problems.