Veseérszkület

Veseérszkület, also known as renal artery stenosis, is a medical condition characterized by the narrowing of one or both renal arteries. These arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the kidneys. When they become narrowed, the flow of blood to the kidneys is reduced. This can lead to a decrease in kidney function and can also cause an increase in blood pressure, a condition known as renovascular hypertension.

The most common cause of veseérszkület is atherosclerosis, a process where plaque builds up inside the arteries. This plaque can harden and narrow the passageway for blood. Less commonly, other conditions such as fibromuscular dysplasia, a disorder affecting artery walls, can also cause renal artery stenosis. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease.

Symptoms of veseérszkület may not be apparent in the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, individuals may experience high blood pressure that is difficult to control, a sudden onset of worsening kidney function, or fluid retention leading to swelling in the legs and feet. In some cases, a bruit, an abnormal whooshing sound, may be heard over the abdomen with a stethoscope, indicating turbulent blood flow through the narrowed artery.

Diagnosis typically involves medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests. These can include ultrasound, CT angiography, or magnetic resonance angiography to visualize the renal arteries and assess the degree of narrowing. Blood and urine tests may also be conducted to evaluate kidney function. Treatment options depend on the severity of the stenosis and the patient's overall health. They can range from medication to manage blood pressure and cholesterol to procedures like angioplasty with stenting, where a balloon is used to open the narrowed artery and a stent is placed to keep it open, or surgical bypass to restore blood flow.