Renal arteriography

This test is done in the hospital or outpatient office by a radiologist usually assisted by a technician or other staff members. You will lie on an x-ray table. Doctors often use an artery near the groin for the test. Occasionally, the doctor may use an artery in the wrist. Your doctor will: Clean and shave the area.…

Tell your doctor if: You are pregnant You have ever had any bleeding problems You currently take blood thinners, including daily aspirin You ever had any allergic reactions , especially those related to x-ray contrast material or iodine substances You have ever been diagnosed with kidney failure or poorly functioning…

You will lie flat on the x-ray table. There is usually a cushion, but it is not as comfortable as a bed. You may feel a sting when the anesthesia medicine is given. You may feel some pressure and discomfort as the catheter is positioned. Some people feel a warm sensation when the dye is injected, but most people…

Renal arteriography is often done after other tests are done first. These may include duplex ultrasound , CT abdomen, CT angiogram, MRI abdomen, or MRI angiogram. These tests may show the following problems. Abnormal widening of an artery, called an aneurysm Abnormal connections between veins and arteries ( fistulas )…

Results may vary. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

Renal angiography may show the presence of tumors, narrowing of the artery or aneurysms (widening of the vein or artery), blood clots, fistulas, or bleeding in the kidney. The test may also be done with the following conditions: Blockage of an artery by a blood clot Renal artery stenosis Renal cell cancer…

The procedure is generally safe. There may be some risks, such as: Allergic reaction to the dye (contrast medium) Arterial damage Damage to the artery or artery wall, which can lead to blood clots Kidney damage from damage to the artery or from the dye There is low radiation exposure . Pregnant women and children are…

The test should NOT be done if you are pregnant or have severe bleeding problems. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) can be done instead. MRA and CTA are noninvasive and can provide similar imaging of the kidney arteries, although they cannot be used for treatment.

Azarbal AF, Mclafferty RB. Arteriography. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 27. Duddalwar VA, Jadvar H, Palmer SL. Diagnostic kidney imaging. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds.…