Usefulness of Renal Arteriography Following Coronary Angiography

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of renal angiography in patients that underwent coronary angiography because of clinically suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS: Selective arteriography of the renal arteries was performed in 205 patients (mean age 60 +/- 8 years; 80% males) at the time after coronary angiography with the use of right coronary Judkins catheter. RESULTS: Two-hundred renal angiographies were judged technically adequate. Average additional fluoroscopy time was 3 +/- 2 min and 30 +/- 8 ml of additional contrast medium was used. Coronary artery disease (³ 50% narrowing) was found in 158 (79%). Renal arterial disease was found in 17 (8.5%) patients. Reduction in lumen diameter was < 50% in 11 patients (5.5%) including 3 patients with bilateral stenosis, and ³ 50% in 6 patients (3%). The only clinical variable associated with renal artery stenosis was peripheral vascular disease. CONCLUSION: There is no justification for doing routine renal angiography for patients undergoing coronary arteriography because the prevalence of severe renal artery stenosis is low.