Indication:
Evaluate for the presence of renal artery stenosis and renovascular hypertension
Test Preparation:
There are some medications that the patient needs to stop prior to the exam, such as angiotensin II blockers and ace inhibitors. The patient must not eat for at least four hours prior to the scan, but should drink plenty of water. The patient must be well hydrated; the department will give a volume of water that the patient must drink prior to the scan.
Examination Procedure:
Before or during the examination the patient will be given Captopril either orally or Enaloprilate intravenously. After the captopril is administered the patient will lie down under a gamma camera. An IV injection of a small amount of radiotracer will be given. The radiotracer will go to the kidneys dependent of function and blood flow. The patient is imaged with the camera under the table for approximately thirty minutes. The patient very rarely will need to come back later for delay pictures which last approximately five to ten minutes.