Renal Angioplasty Stenting
Renal angioplasty and stenting are interventional procedures used to treat renal artery stenosis, a condition where the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys, become narrowed or blocked. This narrowing can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney dysfunction, and other complications. The goal of these procedures is to restore normal blood flow to the kidneys and manage symptoms associated with renal artery stenosis.
Renal Angioplasty
Renal angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of a balloon to widen the narrowed renal artery. The procedure is typically performed in the following steps:
Preparation: The patient is given local anesthesia and sedation. An intravenous (IV) line is placed for medications and fluids.
Catheter Insertion: A catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or arm. The catheter is then guided to the renal artery using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance.
Balloon Inflation: Once the catheter reaches the narrowed section of the renal artery, a small balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated. The balloon’s expansion pushes the arterial walls outward, thereby widening the artery and improving blood flow.
Renal Stenting
Renal stenting is often performed in conjunction with angioplasty to keep the renal artery open and prevent it from narrowing again. The procedure involves placing a stent, a small mesh tube, in the artery. Here’s how it is typically done:
Stent Placement: After the angioplasty balloon has been inflated and the artery widened, a stent is introduced through the catheter and positioned at the site of the narrowing.
Stent Deployment: The stent is expanded either by balloon inflation or by its self-expanding properties. It is designed to hold the artery open and provide structural support to maintain normal blood flow.
Final Assessment: The position and function of the stent are checked using imaging to ensure proper placement and to verify that the artery remains open.
Catheter Removal: Once the stent is deployed and confirmed to be in place, the catheter is withdrawn, and the insertion site is monitored and managed.
