A renal angiogram is an imaging study of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, used to identify areas of abnormality that may require intervention. The procedure involves injecting contrast material into the renal artery and capturing images with a fluoroscopy or radiography machine. It may be contraindicated for patients with slow clotting blood, allergies, or pregnant women.
A renal angiogram or renal arteriogram is an imaging study of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. This type of imaging study is ordered when a patient has kidney problems or is thought to be at risk of a kidney disorder. It takes place in a hospital or clinic with angiography facilities, and the length of the procedure varies. Patients are generally encouraged to arrange a ride home after the procedure, as they may feel groggy.
There are a number of reasons for requesting a renal angiogram. A doctor may suspect that the veins are narrowed or blocked, or that a bulge known as an aneurysm is occurring. Tumors could put pressure on and cut off the blood supply, and other kidney problems could lead to changes in the vessels that supply blood to the kidneys. A renal angiogram may also be ordered if a patient has high blood pressure, to learn more about the cause of the high blood pressure.
During the angiographic procedure, the patient lies on a table while a catheter is inserted through the groin to access the renal artery so that the contrast material can be injected. Images are captured with a fluoroscopy machine for live imaging or with a radiography for still images. The patient is usually given medications that will help him remain calm and still during the procedure, especially if the patient has a history of discomfort and restlessness during medical procedures.
The contrast medium will highlight the blood vessels on the renal angiogram. In a procedure known as digital subtraction angiography, a computer removes other structures in the image such as bones so that the network of blood vessels can be seen very clearly. By examining the renal angiogram, a doctor can identify areas of abnormality that indicate the need for intervention, such as stenting to open a blocked renal artery or surgery to address a tumor in the kidney.
This procedure may be contraindicated for some patients. Patients with blood that is slow to clot may be in danger because the procedure causes bleeding and there is also a risk of rupturing a vessel. For pregnant women, any procedure that requires radiation is not recommended unless absolutely necessary because radiation can harm the developing fetus. People with allergies may also be at risk during a renal angiogram, because they can react to the contrast agent. Patients should be sure that doctors know their complete medical history before consenting to a procedure.
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