What is renal vascular disease?

Renal vascular disease affects the blood flow into and out of the kidneys. It may cause kidney damage, kidney failure, and high blood pressure.

Types of renal vascular disease are:

• Renal artery stenosis (RAS). This is a narrowing or blockage of an artery to the kidneys. It may cause kidney failure and high blood pressure. Smokers have a greater risk of getting RAS. High cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, too much weight, and a family history of heart disease are also risk factors for RAS. High blood pressure is both a cause and a result of RAS.

• Renal artery thrombosis. This is a blood clot in an artery that supplies a kidney. It may block blood flow and cause kidney failure.

• Renal vein thrombosis. This is the formation of a clot in a vein to a kidney.

• Renal artery aneurysm. This is a bulging, weak area in the wall of an artery to a kidney. Most are small and don’t cause symptoms. Renal artery aneurysms are rare and are often found during tests for other conditions.

• Atheroembolic renal disease. This happens when a piece of plaque from a larger artery breaks off and travels through the blood. This blocks small renal arteries. This disease is becoming a common cause of kidney problems in older adults.

Renin is a strong hormone that raises blood pressure. Decreased blood flow to a kidney from renal vascular disease may cause too much renin to be made. This can lead to high blood pressure.

What causes renal vascular disease?

The cause of renal vascular disease will depend on the specific condition involved. The main causes are:

• Atherosclerosis

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Morbid obesity

• Fibromuscular dysplasia

• Injury

• Infection

• Inflammatory or other underlying disease

• Surgery

• Tumor

• Aneurysm

• Pregnancy

• Certain medicines

• Birth defect

Who is at risk for renal vascular disease?

Risk factors for renal vascular disease include:

• Older age

• Female sex

• Atherosclerosis

• High blood pressure, especially new high blood pressure in an older person

• Smoking

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

What are the symptoms of renal vascular disease?

Symptoms of renal vascular disease vary depending on the type of disease and degree of involvement present.

These symptoms may look like other health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is renal vascular disease diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and do a physical exam. You may also need these tests:

• Arteriogram (or angiogram). This is an X-ray image of the blood vessels used to check for aneurysm, narrowing, or blockages. A dye (contrast) is injected through a thin, flexible tube placed in an artery. This dye makes the blood vessels visible on X-ray.

• Duplex ultrasound. This test is done to check blood flow and the structure of the renal veins and arteries. The term “duplex" refers to the fact that 2 modes of ultrasound are used. The first takes an image of the renal artery being studied. The second mode checks the blood flow.

• Renography. This test is used to check the function and structure of the kidneys. It is a type of nuclear medicine procedure. This means that a tiny amount of a radioactive substance is used during the test to help view the kidneys.

• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). This test uses a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves along with intravenous (IV) contrast dye to see blood vessels. Contrast dye causes blood vessels to appear solid on the MRI image. This lets the healthcare provider see the blood vessels and how the blood flows through them.

How is renal vascular disease treated?

Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on:

• How old you are

• Your overall health and medical history

• How sick you are

• How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies

• How long the condition is expected to last

• Your opinion or preference

Treatment will also vary depending on the type of renal vascular disease that is present.

What are possible complications of renal vascular disease?

In time, renal vascular disease can lead to kidney failure. This may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Other complications include:

• Heart disease 

• Stroke 

• Heart attack

• Heart failure 

• Damage to blood vessels

• Loss of vision

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.

Key points about renal vascular disease

• Renal vascular disorders include a variety of conditions affecting the blood flow into or out of the kidneys.

• Conditions that affect the blood flow through the kidneys can affect the function of the kidneys. They should be treated promptly to prevent permanent damage or other complications.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.