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Overview

What Is a Renal Angiogram?

A renal angiogram, also called renal angiography or renal arteriography, is an X-ray-based test that shows blood flow through the arteries supplying the kidneys. A contrast material is injected so the kidney arteries appear clearly on the images. A catheter-based angiogram differs from a renal artery CTA, renal angio CT scan, or other CT angiography because it uses a thin catheter placed in an artery rather than only external CT imaging.

When It Is Needed

When Is a Renal Angiogram Needed?

A renal angiogram is generally ordered when symptoms, blood-pressure problems, laboratory findings, or earlier imaging suggest an abnormality in a renal artery or another kidney blood vessel. It is not usually used as routine age-based screening; the recommendation is based on a specific clinical concern.

  • Suspected narrowing or blockage of a renal artery.
  • High blood pressure that is difficult to control or has an unusual pattern.
  • Unexplained changes in kidney function when a vascular cause is being considered.
  • Possible renal artery aneurysm, malformation, or other abnormal blood vessel.
  • Evaluation of suspected bleeding or a vascular complication.

Catheter angiography is more invasive than noninvasive options such as renal artery CTA, CT angio renal artery imaging, CTA of the renal arteries, or a renal angiogram CT scan. The clinician chooses the approach based on the detail needed, kidney function, contrast considerations, and whether treatment might be performed during the same session.

Preparation

How to Prepare for a Renal Angiogram

  • Follow the facility’s instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
  • Give the care team a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
  • Tell the team about previous contrast reactions, allergies, diabetes, kidney disease, or pregnancy.
  • Ask whether medicines such as blood thinners or diabetes medicines need temporary adjustment.
  • Complete any requested kidney-function or other pre-procedure blood tests.
  • Arrange transportation and assistance at home if sedation or post-test activity restrictions are expected.

Before the test

Review contrast and medication instructions

Contrast-related effects may include a brief warm or flushing sensation, nausea, itching, or, rarely, a serious allergic-like reaction. Follow your individualized instructions, and do not stop or change medicines on your own.

During the Test

What Happens During a Renal Angiogram?

During this single-session test, you check in, change as directed, and have your blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs monitored. After sterile preparation, the clinician numbs the skin with a local anesthetic and may give sedation. A thin catheter is inserted through an artery, commonly in the groin or wrist, and guided toward the renal arteries. X-ray images are taken while contrast is injected to outline the vessels and blood flow.

You may feel pressure at the access site and a brief warm sensation as the contrast enters the bloodstream. You will need to remain still, but you can communicate with the team throughout the test. Tell the staff promptly about pain, breathing difficulty, itching, dizziness, or any other new symptom.

Risks

Risks of a Renal Angiogram

  • Bruising, soreness, or minor bleeding can occur where the catheter entered the artery.
  • Infection at the access site is uncommon but possible.
  • Contrast may cause nausea, warmth, itching, or an allergic-like reaction.
  • Contrast can worsen kidney function, particularly in people with existing kidney disease or other risk factors.
  • Rare vascular complications include artery damage, a blood clot, or bleeding that requires treatment.
  • Very rarely, serious complications such as major bleeding, stroke, heart problems, or loss of kidney blood flow can occur.

Discuss your risk

Risk varies by health history

The care team weighs the reason for the test, kidney function, allergy history, and alternative imaging options before recommending it. Discuss your individual risk with your clinician rather than relying only on a general list of possible complications.

Recovery

Recovery After a Renal Angiogram

After the renal angiogram, you are observed in the facility until your vital signs and catheter access site are stable. Before discharge, the team provides instructions about fluids, prescribed medicines, wound care, and activity restrictions. The observation period and recovery time can vary depending on the access site, sedation, and whether any additional procedure was performed.

  • Check the catheter site for increasing bleeding, swelling, redness, drainage, or worsening pain.
  • Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for the period specified by the care team.
  • Drink fluids if permitted and follow any individualized kidney-care instructions.
  • Take medicines exactly as directed and do not restart held medicines without confirmation when instructions require it.
  • Ask the care team when it is safe to drive, work, bathe, or return to usual activity.

Results

Renal Angiogram Results

The report generally describes the appearance and blood flow of the renal arteries. It may mention narrowing, blockage, an aneurysm, abnormal vessels, bleeding, or no significant abnormality. Results are usually described by findings and patterns rather than by one normal-versus-abnormal number.

The ordering clinician interprets the report alongside your symptoms, blood pressure, kidney-function tests, and prior imaging. Depending on the findings, the next step may be monitoring, medicine, additional imaging such as renal artery CTA, or vascular treatment.

Diseases & Conditions

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