What patients require an renal artery ultrasound?
Doctors will request an renal artery ultrasound on patients who have early signs of kidney failure or blood pressure is difficult to control despite multiple medications. What happens during an renal artery ultrasound? You will be asked to lie down on an examination table. The technician (or physician) will place a clear gel on your abdomen. The gel is simply a lubricant that allows the transducer (a device that both puts out and detects ultrasound signals) to slide around easily on your skin. When the transducer is placed against the skin, an image of the artery is shown on a video screen. The renal arteries are identified and a measurement will be made of the speed of blood flow through the artery. This test is typically not performed during the screening program, but patients who may require the study are identified and are set up for the study at a later date. What are the risks of renal artery ultrasound? Since the procedure is done without entering the body and does not use dyes
