What are my treatment options?
Renal artery disease can be treated in a number of ways depending on the severity of the symptoms. These treatments range from conservative lifestyle changes to surgery.
Other treatment options include:
| • | Medications that can help to control blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. |
| • | Balloon angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or PTA) may be performed. This procedure uses a catheter with a small balloon on the end to open the narrowed renal artery. The balloon is advanced into the stenosed (or narrowed) area and inflated. This pressure flattens the plaque against the wall of the artery. The balloon then deflates and blood flow is restored to the kidney. If renarrowing of the vessel occurs, an implantable stent may be placed as a permanent support to keep the artery open for improved blood flow to the kidney. |
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| • | Renal artery bypass is no longer commonly used as a treatment option given the success of balloon angioplasty and stent implantation. Bypass surgery uses an artificial graft or a vein from the patient to create an alternative route (bypass) to deliver blood to the kidney. |
A renal artery stent is a metallic slotted tube that is placed in the narrowed (diseased) area of the blood vessel. The stent is expanded using a balloon catheter and acts as a permanent support to keep the artery open.
Fact: You may slow the progression of the disease by making lifestyle changes such as exercising, smoking cessation, lowering cholesterol and lowering blood pressure levels.
