COLOR-CODED DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY FOR EVALUAT ION OF RENAL-ARTERY STENOSIS

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 w ith arterial hypertension, bilateral intrarenal Doppler spectra were e xamined and the following parameters including side ratios were calcul ated: pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), acceleration time index (AT) and acceleration index (AI). Results: In 29 of the 123 pat ients, angiography showed unilateral renal artery stenosis. Accelerati on index (AI) was found as the most reliable parameter with a sensitiv ity of 100 % and a specificity of about 94 % for stenoses grading at l east 70 %. Conclusions: Colour-coded duplex sonography can depict rele vant stenoses reliably, but anatomical variations may limit its value as a single screening method. Colour-coded duplex sonography can be, t herefore, recommended as an adjunct to angiography for assessment of h aemodynamic relevance.