The role of captopril radionuclide renography

Captopril radionuclide renography is a new nuclear medicine procedure whose sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 90% for the detection of an agiographically proven stenosis of at least 70% is high compared to competing noninvasive tests. For the general screening of hypertensive populations the sensitivity and specificity are not sufficient. The prediction of blood pressure response to revascularisation with a sensitivity of 89% at a specificity of 79% is favorable compared to other noninvasive tests, however additional diagnostic data are necessary to select a patient for intervention. The optimization of the method requires further elucidation of the role of premedication, test conditions, data processing, and criteria for the evaluation of the renograms. Nevertheless, captopril radionuclide renography already has an established place in the diagnostic workup of renovascular hypertension. (orig./MG)