ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-INHIBITED RENOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ISCHEMIC KIDNEYS

This report synthesizes the literature and the authors' experience in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibited renography for the diagnosis of hypertension associated with critical renal arterial dise ase. The pathophysiology underlying the performance of the test and it s interpretation are provided. The test is not a screening test of pat ients with hypertension. The need for preselection of patients is emph asized. The differences in using glomerular versus tubular radioisotop ic agents are identified. Patient preparation, testing procedure, and interpretation of the data are reviewed. Clinical conditions, other th an those in which hypertension is associated with critical disease of the main renal artery, in which false-positive renographic tests have occurred, are listed. (C) 1994 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.