Renal Artery Duplex
To determine the presence of an arterial flow reducing renal artery stenosis (RAS) or occlusion and to identify high resistance arterial flow within the kidney, which suggests intrinsic parenchymal disease in hypertensive patients.
Indications
- New onset of hypertension
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Elevated BUN, Creatinine
- Abdominal bruit
- As a screen for renal artery stenosis prior to medical management with beta-blockers.
- Episode of flash pulmonary edema with unknown etiology.
- Prior to and as a follow-up for surgical revascularization or percutaneous transluminal dilatation of the renal arteries.
Preparation
NPO 4 hours prior to the exam. If the patient is diabetic and unable to abide by this preparation, we will work with the patient. Please allow the patient to eat. Suggest that he/she eat as light a meal as possible and foods which are non-gas producing. If the patient must take diabetic medications just prior to eating, please ask them to bring the diabetic medications to the appointment. Preferably schedule the patient in the AM.