[Color-coded duplex ultrasonography in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis]

Abstract

Purpose: Colour-coded duplex sonography was performed for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis to define standards and criteria for stenosis.

Material and methods: In 20 normotensive volunteers and 123 patients with arterial hypertension, bilateral intrarenal Doppler spectra were examined and the following parameters including side ratios were calculated: pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), acceleration time index (AT) and acceleration index (AI).

Results: In 29 of the 123 patients, angiography showed unilateral renal artery stenosis. Acceleration index (AI) was found as the most reliable parameter with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of about 94% for stenoses grading at least 70%.

Conclusions: Colour-coded duplex sonography can depict relevant stenoses reliably, but anatomical variations may limit its value as a single screening method. Colour-coded duplex sonography can be, therefore, recommended as an adjunct to angiography for assessment of haemodynamic relevance.