Renal Stenosis Treatment

Renal artery stenosis is a condition in which one or both renal arteries (blood vessels) through which blood flows to the kidneys are narrowed. Since the kidneys aid in controlling blood pressure, renal arteries that are narrowed make it more difficult for the kidneys to function. Renal artery stenosis can worsen if not treated and usually leads to kidney damage and high blood pressure. Renal stenosis treatment options are available.

Medications

• Renal artery stenosis is nearly always caused by plaque, which consists of cholesterol and fats. When an abundance of plaque builds on the renal artery walls, it produces a blockage or causes the arteries to harden. The elderly are the most likely candidates for renal artery stenosis because the plaque builds in the arteries over time. Those who have blocked arteries in the legs, heart or other areas of the body are also more likely to have renal artery stenosis. The only identifiable symptoms of the disease are high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

  Treatment for renal artery stenosis consists of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, which means taking at least two different medications. Blood pressure medication causes some side effects, such as headache, cough, sexual dysfunction and dizziness, depending on the blood pressure medication prescribed.

Angioplasty

• Angioplasty can open the blocked renal stenosis artery. The doctor places a small balloon in the renal artery, which he blows up to clear the blockage. Sometimes a stent (a thin metal tube) must be inserted into the artery so that it will remain open. However, angioplasty is not the cure-all for treating renal artery stenosis. Only a small percentage of patients who have angioplasty can stop taking blood pressure medication. Angioplasty is most often used as a treatment in conjunction with prescribed medication.

  Some drawbacks to angioplasty are that the stent may cause bleeding, bruising and even more damage to kidneys, and the arteries might close again.

Other Surgeries

• Medications and angioplasty are the two favored treatments for responding to renal artery stenosis. However, occasionally an endarterectomy is recommended. This treatment is performed by a vascular surgeon, who removes the plaque to leave the interior lining of the renal artery clear and smooth.

  For very severe cases of renal artery stenosis, a bypass surgery will be performed. To create the bypass, the vascular surgeon will use a synthetic tube or vein to connect the kidney and the aorta. The new path will provide an alternate route for the blood to bypass the blocked artery and flow into the kidney.