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

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.

Some people feel a sting when the anesthetic (numbing medicine) is given. You will feel a brief, sharp pain as the catheter is inserted. There is a feeling of pressure as the catheter is moved into the body.

Some people feel a warm or burning sensation when the dye is injected. 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:

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

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.

Images

Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Renal arteries

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Renal arteriography Results

Review Date: 05/13/2010
Reviewed By: Benjamin Taragin MD, Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)