Renal Angiograms

An imaging test to view the blood vessels in the kidneys is called a renal angiogram. It is used to find dysfunctional ballooning of a blood vessel (aneurysms), blood vessel narrowing (stenosis), or blockages. An angiogram can also show how well blood flows in the kidneys.

During the test, a contrast dye is injected into the artery that supplies blood to the kidney. X-ray images are then used to track the flow of the dye through the blood vessels in the kidneys. The amount of x-ray radiation used for the images is minimal. Fluoroscopy is also used during a renal angiogram. It can be described as a renal x-ray movie.

Renal angiograms may be done as an outpatient or while staying in a hospital. The steps may vary but are generally:

• Remove clothes and jewelry and put on a hospital gown

• Empty the bladder before beginning the test

• The patient is laid on an x-ray table

• An IV will be started and an EKG monitor attached

• The groin is shaved and cleaned, then local pain medication injected (unless an elbow insertion is used)

• An incision is made and a catheter inserted and advanced to the area of the renal arteries

• Dye is injected

• Several sets of x-rays are obtained to show the arteries and blood flow through the veins and capillaries

• The catheter is removed and pressure is held on the incision site

• If a groin entry is used, the patient lies flat for several hours after the test

• If an elbow entry is used, the incision site must be kept straight for up to 12 hours

• Drinking fluids will help remove contrast dye from the body and prevent dehydration