Value of downstream circulation in renal artery stenosis with arterial hypertension: comparison between color Doppler flow and digital renal angiography in 123 patients

Digital renal angiography and color Doppler flow were compared for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis in 123 hypertensive patients with a prevalence of renal artery stenosis ≥75% of 21 %. Only color Doppler flow signs found downstream from the stenosis could be quantified. A rising time (RT) >0.07 s was the best marker for renal artery stenosis ≥ 75 % according to a receiver operating characteristic curve with a specificity of 97 %, a sensitivity of 88 %, a positive predictive value of 86 %, a negative predictive value of 98 % and an accuracy of 96 %. Digital renal angiography and color Doppler flow findings for renal artery lesions were classified into 4 degrees with agreement for 86 % of the kidneys. (authors). 13 refs., 5 figs., 8 tabs