Renal artery stenosis

Renal artery stenosis is narrowing of one or both renal arteries or their more distal branches resulting in decreased perfusion, increased rennin release, increased vascular resistance and systemic hypertension.

Renal artery stenosis usually occurs as part of generalized atherosclerosis. Renal blood flow may be compromised either by aortic plaques encroaching on the ostia of the renal arteries or by atherosclerosis of the renal artery itself.

Renal artery stenosis is not an uncommon finding in patients with evidence of atherosclerotic disease elsewhere in the body. In fact, incidental renal angiography in patients undergoing coronary angiography demonstrates renal artery stenosis in 6% to 18% of patients.

Hypertension commonly accompanies stenosis. Headache, palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, dizziness, retinopathy, hematuria and mental sluggishness may also appear.
Renal artery stenosis