It is used for the treatment of infarction or narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys. The kidney receives blood from one or more arteries; if your renal arteries are narrowed or blocked, you can suffer from hypertension, heart failure or kidney failure. Blockage of the arteries can be diagnosed by arterial catheterization angiography + (the best way), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) or vascular ultrasound. Each method has advantages and disadvantages says cardiologist Alexandru Mischie.

Depending on the severity of the stenosis and the patient’s general condition, the treatment may be:

Surgical under general anesthesia (open abdominal surgery):

• Bypass: it uses a plastic tube or a vein from one leg to the role of creating a “bridge” that would short-circuit the narrowong. Average length of hospital stay is 7 days.
• Endarcterectomy: is the “suction” of material (fat) that causes arterial blockage. It is done by cutting a part of the superficial aspect of the blocked artery, folowed by removal of the fat. The artery is sewn at the end and the result is that the artery returns to ints normal diameter (artery without blockages).

Percutaneous stent implantation: by catheterization technique. A metalic stent is advanced through the catheter. Once left in place, it will unblock the artery, allowing blood to move normally again. Average length of stay is a few days (1-2).