• Renal artery stenosis disease is a condition caused due to hardening of renal arteries(atherosclerosis). ‘Plaque’  builds up in the artery walls because of cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension. Restrict the blood flow in the renal arteries. The kidneys will not function properly causing your blood pressure to rise which will further lead to kidney failure.
• The disease develops slowly. The first sign of renal artery stenosis if you have high blood pressure is worsening of the high blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension even with the use of antihypertensive medications.
• Early detection of the disease is important before it leads to complications like renal failure and severe hypertension. Blood tests and kidney function tests are done to evaluate kidney functions. Duplex ultrasound scan, CT scan, and angiography are done to detect the exact location of the blockage.

• Indicated only if conservative treatment with medications fails and kidney function rapidly deteriorates.

• Open surgery to remove the plaque from the narrowed portion of the artery and reconstruct the artery to maintain the size of the artery and preserve blood flow.

Minimally invasive approach

• The balloon is inflated at the site of narrowing which will push the plaque against the artery wall helping the artery allow more space to increase the blood flow.
• Stenting – A stent is an artificial device, a mesh-like metal tube that has the ability to expand inside the blocked artery. This stent is inserted into the blocked artery which expands the artery lumen improving blood flow.