Njurartärstenos

Njurartärstenos refers to the narrowing of one or both renal arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys. This narrowing is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque within the artery walls. Other causes can include fibromuscular dysplasia, a condition where the artery walls abnormally thicken, and less commonly, inflammatory conditions or external compression.

The primary consequence of renal artery stenosis is reduced blood flow to the kidneys. This can lead to several complications. The kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure by releasing renin, an enzyme that triggers the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. When blood flow to the kidneys is diminished, they can overproduce renin, leading to increased blood pressure, a condition known as renovascular hypertension. This can be difficult to control with medication and can exacerbate damage to the kidneys and other organs, such as the heart and brain.

Symptoms of njurartärstenos are often nonspecific and may include high blood pressure that is difficult to manage, a new onset of high blood pressure in individuals over 50, a sudden worsening of existing kidney function, or a characteristic abdominal bruit (a sound heard with a stethoscope) over the affected artery. In some cases, particularly with severe stenosis, individuals may experience symptoms related to kidney dysfunction, such as fatigue or fluid retention.

Diagnosis typically involves imaging techniques such as Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography (CTA), or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to visualize the renal arteries and assess the degree of narrowing. Treatment strategies depend on the severity of the stenosis, the patient's overall health, and the presence of symptoms. For asymptomatic or mildly stenotic cases, medical management with blood pressure-lowering medications and statins to manage atherosclerosis may be sufficient. For more severe or symptomatic cases, interventions such as angioplasty (widening the artery with a balloon) with or without stenting (inserting a mesh tube to keep the artery open) may be considered to restore adequate blood flow to the kidneys.