Time required:
2 hours.

Purpose:
This test is used to assist your physician in determining if you may have Renal Vascular Disease such as Renal Artery Stenosis. Renal Artery Stenosis is a blockage in the artery leading to your kidney. Some Common indications and/or symptoms may be abrupt or severe hypertension, hypertension that is resistant to medical therapy (blood pressure medication), and many other Indications that your doctor may be concerned about.

Preparation:
You should not eat 4 hours prior to your appointment (diabetics excluded). However, you should Increase your fluid intake and drink more than usual.
You may also be required to stop certain medications prior to your exam. If you have questions regarding your medicines, please call us at 263-8001.

Test Procedure:
Prior to the test, you will meet with the technologist who will be performing your test. He or she can explain the entire procedure before it begins. Prior to the first set of pictures being taken, a small intravenous is inserted into a vein of your arm, and an isotope injected. You will then lie down on a bed and images of the kidneys will be taken which will last 30 minutes. After the completion of these images, a baseline blood pressure will be taken and you will be given Captopril. You will be asked to relax in the waiting area for 45 minutes to 1 hour in order for the Captopril to be absorbed. During this time it is necessary to drink 3 to 4 glasses of fluid (water, soda) and void often. After the allotted time your blood pressure will be monitored and at the appropriate time you will be administered the second dose of the isotope followed by 30 minutes of imaging to complete the test. Each set of images will be processed, read by the radiologist and a report will be sent to your doctor within 24 hours. Your physician will notify you of the results.