What is a renal angiogram?
Renal angiography is an imaging technique to examine the kidneys’ blood vessels. The procedure is carried out by inserting a catheter into an artery in the groin or the wrist. A catheter is a thin, long, and flexible tube. A contrast medium, also known as X-ray dye, is injected to enhance blood vessels’ visibility on X-ray images. Interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists are the medical professionals who most frequently perform renal angiography.
What is the purpose of the renal angiogram?
Your doctor primarily advises renal angiogram to find problems in your kidneys’ blood vessels, such as:
- The abnormal bulge in the wall of a kidneys blood vessel (Renal artery aneurysm)
- A narrowing of a renal artery (Renal artery stenosis)
- An abnormal connection between the arteries and veins (arteriovenous malformation)
- Blood clots in kidney arteries (thrombosis)
Your doctor may rarely prescribe a renal angiogram to help find out:
- Tumors of kidney
- Bleeding in the kidney
- Few Problems that can arise after a kidney transplant
Your doctor suspects the above diseases if you have:
- High blood pressure at a young age
- Uncontrolled blood pressure on multiple drugs
- Asymmetry in the size of kidneys on ultrasound
- Abnormal sound or murmur while auscultating the abdomen (renal bruit)
- Bleeding through the urine (hematuria)
- Flank pain especially after trauma or transplant
- Kidney failure after transplant.
Precautions for the test:
Your doctor will generally instruct you to fast for around eight hours before your renal arteriography. The specific recommendations provided by your cardiologist may differ.
Inform your physician of all medications you’re currently taking. Before the procedure, your doctor may instruct you to temporarily cease taking some or all of your medications. This commonly involves certain diabetic medications or pain killers.
You should also inform your cardiologist if you are allergic to drugs, Latex, iodine compounds, or contrast dye.
A renal angiogram is a daycare procedure. You can expect the discharge on the same day. Bring an attendee with you. Please inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should not drive home after discharge. Take the help of your attendees.
How is a renal angiogram performed?
Administration of A local anesthetic: A local anesthetic is administered to the patient at the point of access (either wrist or groin). This makes the area numb and prevents pain during a procedure. The doctor will instruct you to remain still during the procedure.
Insertion of arterial sheath: The doctor inserts a needle into your blood vessel through the skin. A catheter called an arterial sheath would subsequently be inserted into the blood vessel. The sheath enables the insertion of catheters or other devices for renal angiography.
Guidewire and catheter insertion: A guide wire is then utilized to progress the catheter through the sheath toward the kidney.
Pushing the dye and taking Images: A contrast dye is injected through a manifold attached to the catheter that makes the artery visible on the x-ray. Simultaneously your doctors take images of the artery. The same will be done to the opposite side kidney.
Withdrawing catheter: After confirming that the complete information is obtained, the catheter is withdrawn with the support of a guide catheter
Removal of the sheath: Sheat is removed immediately or after a while. Then, Deep pressure is applied to the wrist or groin to prevent bleeding for 10 to 15 minutes.
How long does a renal angiogram take?
A renal angiogram takes 10 to 15 minutes to perform. But before the procedure and after the procedure, you need to stay for 2 to 4 hours.
Aftercare
The doctor will instruct you to lie still for six hours and not move the procedure leg. You are asked to rest the arm if angiography is done through the wrist.
The doctor will advise you to consume plenty of water to flush the X-ray dye from your body.
Cost of Renal Angioplasty in India | Cost of Renal Angioplasty in Hyderabad
The average cost of a renal angiogram in India begins at Rs. 10000. Nevertheless, pricing may vary amongst hospitals in various cities.
Renal angiogram complications
Radiation exposure risks: Radiation exposure risks related to renal angiography are similar to other procedures like x-ray and CT scans. Typically, levels of radiation with angiography are not deemed dangerous.
Radiation, while a woman is pregnant, can cause birth defects. So avoid renal angiography if you’re pregnant or might be pregnant.
Allergies: There is a chance of allergy to any medicines, contrast dyes, or iodine used for renal angiography. Since contrast dye is used, inform your doctor if you are allergic to a dye.
Kidney failure: The contrast dye can rarely lead to kidney failure. It is more common in people with preexisting conditions such as diabetes, advanced age, or kidney disease.
Damage to an artery or the wall of an artery: This can lead to blood clots, an artery that bulges out of shape (pseudo aneurysm), or an abnormal connection between the artery and a nearby vein (arteriovenous malformation).
Bleeding or Hematoma
Blood clots (embolus)
Infection
Who is the best doctor for renal angiograms in Hyderabad?
Dr. D.Malleswara Rao is the top cardiologist in Hyderabad who performed many successful renal angiograms and angioplasties.