Renal arteriography

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X

(Page 2)

Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Renal arteries

Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant and if you have ever had any bleeding problems. Report any allergic reactions you have ever had, especially those you have had to x-ray contrast material or any iodine substance.

You must sign a consent form. Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the test. You will be given a hospital gown to wear and asked to remove all jewelry. You may be given a sedative or pain pill before the procedure.

The x-ray table is hard and cold. You may wish to ask for a blanket or pillow. There is a sting when the anesthetic (numbing medicine) is given. This does not numb the artery so there will be brief, sharp pain as the catheter is inserted. There is a feeling of pressure as the catheter is moved into the body.

As the dye is injected, you may feel a warm or burning sensation. There may be slight tenderness and bruising at the site of the injection after the test.

The test is done to look at the blood vessels that feed the kidney. It may show:

• Renal stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels of the kidneys)
• Blood clots
• Aneurysm (a widening of the vein or artery)
• Kidney disease or failure

Renal arteriography is often used to examine donors and recipients before a kidney transplant to determine the number of arteries and veins on each kidney.

Review Date: 05/03/2006
Reviewed By: Neil Grossman, MD, MetroWest Radiology Associates, Framingham, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.