Renal arteriography

The X-ray table is hard and cold; you may ask for a blanket or pillow. There is a sting when the anesthetic is given. This does not numb the artery so there will be brief, sharp pain as the catheter is inserted. There is a feeling of pressure as the catheter is advanced.

As the dye is injected, there may be a warm or burning sensation. There may be slight tenderness and bruising at the site of the injection after the test.

The test is done to evaluate the blood vessels that feed the kidney. The test may detect stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessel), blood clots, or aneurysm (a widening of the vein or artery). The test may help evaluate kidney disease or failure, tumors, or kidney function.

It is often used to evaluate donors and recipients before transplantation of a kidney to determine the number of arteries and veins on each kidney.

Some vascular tumors in the kidney can be partially treated by embolizing (placing material in the vessel so it clots and becomes occluded) the feeding arteries.

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