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Abnormal |
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- A narrowing of the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the kidneys
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- Atherosclerosis in elderly males with history of smoking, High Blood Pressure, or diabetes
- Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) -- mainly affects the young to middle aged females
- Neurofibromatosis and congenital (present at birth) are some of the causes seen in children.
- Post-radiation therapy for other problems.
- A graft (artificial tubing surgically placed to replace a damaged artery) may become blocked or stenotic.
- Trauma to the kidneys
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- Recent Hypertension onset (especially in a younger person) with blood pressure that is difficult to control
- Other signs of Hypertension are evident, such as retinopathy (eye damage seen in the back of the eye using a ophthalmoscope).
- A doctor may hear a bruit (sound of the blood passing through the narrowed artery) over the kidneys and the abdomen.
- Blood (morning sample) may be taken to measure rennin levels (a chemical produced by kidneys).
- Renal Ultrasound or abdominal CAT scan will show the size of the kidneys (affected kidney may be smaller).
- Renal Nuclear scans will also be helpful.
- Arteriogram is the golden standard and will show the narrowing.
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- Treat Hypertension
- Dialysis for kidney failure
- Surgical correction or balloon dilation (balloon angioplasty is less invasive than surgery) of the narrowed portion of the renal artery.
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