Renal Duplex Ultrasound Scan
The renal arteries provide blood flow to the kidneys. Renal artery disease, including narrowing (stenosis) due to atherosclerosis, can result in reduced blood-flow to the kidney. This can cause hypertension (high blood pressure) or kidney failure. Renal artery stenosis is the most common correctable cause of hypertension. Long-standing, untreated renal artery disease is also a common cause of kidney failure.
Renal artery disease cannot be diagnosed without specific tests. Renal artery duplex scanning is accurate, non-invasive and cost-effective. Unlike angiography or CT scanning, no injection of X-ray contrast material is required, avoiding the risk of kidney damage from the contrast.
Blood-flow velocities and flow patterns in the aorta and renal arteries are evaluated with Doppler ultrasound. Imaging of the kidneys can provide information about secondary damage to the kidneys from chronic poor blood-flow.
