Intro:
Renovascular disease, including renal artery stenosis (RAS) occurs when the blood vessels suppling the kidneys are narrowed of blocked entirely.
Symptoms:
Although often not causing any symptoms, RAS can lead to:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Abdominal/flank pain
- Kidney failure
Risk Factors:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Age
- Diabetes
- Family history
Diagnosis:
Renovascular disease can be diagnosed by multiple tests including:
- Non-invasive ultrasound study
- CT scan or angiogram
Treatment:
Treatment of RAS is often multifactorial and includes:
- Risk Factor Modification:
- Smoking cessation
- Controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes
- Daily Exercise:
- 20-30min/daily
- Medications (ie. Aspirin, Plavix, blood thinners)
- Minimally invasive angioplasty or stenting
- Conventional open bypass surgery
