Renal arteriography

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Renal arteries

Renal arteriography is a special x-ray of the blood vessels of the kidneys.

Renal arteriography is also called renal angiography.

See also: Renal venogram

Renal angiogram; Angiography - kidney

This test is done in the hospital. You will lie on an x-ray table.

The health care provider will clean and shave the area of the body (usually near the groin) and then place a needle into the artery. A local numbing medicine will be put on the area before the needle is inserted.

Once the needle is in the proper position, a thin wire passes through it. The needle is taken out, and a long, narrow, flexible tube called a catheter is put in its place. An instrument called a fluoroscope sends special x-ray images of the body to a TV monitor. The images help the radiologist guide the catheter into the right position. The catheter runs over the wire and is pushed up into the main blood vessels of the pelvis to the aorta (the main blood vessel running down from the heart to the lower body).

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The test uses a special dye (called "contrast medium") to help the arteries show up better on the x-ray. The blood vessels of the kidneys are hard to see with ordinary x-rays. The dye flows through the catheter into the kidney artery.

X-ray images are taken as the dye moves through the blood vessels. Saline (sterile salt water) containing a blood thinner may also be sent through the catheter to keep blood in the area from clotting.

A computer may be used to "subtract" out the bones and tissues in the area so that only the blood vessels filled with the dye can be seen. This is called digital subtraction angiography (DSI).

The catheter is removed after the x-rays are taken. Pressure is immediately applied to the area for 10 to 15 minutes or more to stop the bleeding. After that time, the area is checked and a bandage is applied. You should keep your leg straight for 6 hours after the procedure.

Tell the health care provider 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