METHODS

In this retrospective observational study we identified all patients who had undergone assessment for possible renal artery stenosis in the preceding 12 months. A total of 18 patients had comparative invasive and thin section, multislice CT renal angiographic data available for comparison, and these patients formed the study group. Thin section multislice CT (Philips MX8000, Philips Medical Systems, UK) was acquired using 140 kV, 200 mAs/slice, a collimation of 4 × 1.0 mm, increment 0.6, and a pitch of 1.25 with appropriate z axis coverage. Contrast enhancement was achieved with 100 ml of iodinated contrast (iopromide) via an 18 gauge antecubital vein catheter at 3 ml/s triggered using bolus tracking. Images were transferred to a workstation (MxView, Philips Medical Systems, UK) for evaluation, which was completed using axial data, maximum intensity projections, and three dimensional reconstructions manipulated with volume rendering techniques (fig 1). All multislice CT data were evaluated, by one investigator, before invasive evaluation and therefore blind to the findings of the gold standard test. The invasive angiograms (Philips Integris Allura, Philips Medical Systems, UK) were carried out by experienced operators, using standard techniques. Findings from invasive angiography were then compared with the original thin section, multislice CT for the presence or absence of ⩾ 50% and ⩾ 70% stenoses, at any site.

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Figure 1

Three dimensional reconstruction of a thin section, multislice CT renal angiogram. Flash pulmonary oedema is usually caused by severe, bilateral disease. This angiogram shows a unilateral severe (>90%) proximal renal artery stenosis on the right. The right kidney is reduced in size.

RESULTS

Multislice CT acquisition time varied between 12–15 seconds, evaluation was rapid, and there were no complications. A total of 58 main and accessory renal arteries were demonstrated with invasive angiography. Of these vessels 98% (57/58) were correctly identified and assessable with thin section, multislice CT. The one vessel that could not be fully assessed arose from the internal iliac artery, which is outside the usual acquired scan volume. At catheter angiography, at all sites, 18 lesions of ⩾ 50%, and 16 lesions of ⩾ 70% stenosis were diagnosed. All 57 vessels were correctly judged, with thin section, multislice CT, for the presence or absence of a lesion causing ⩾ 50% stenosis (sensitivity = specificity = 100%). One 70% lesion was under scored, and graded at 60%. Therefore for the accurate detection of ⩾ 70% stenosis we found a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 100%, negative predictive value 98%, and positive predictive value 100%. All total occlusions (four) were correctly identified.

DISCUSSION

Previous, single slice, CT evaluation of renal arteries has been carried out with major scan parameters (3 mm collimation) giving a lower spatial resolution than is now available.⁵ Even the improvements offered by four slice acquisition have been superseded in many centres by the installation of 16 slice scanners. However, we have demonstrated that thin section, four slice CT renal angiography is sufficiently accurate that invasive diagnostic renal angiography is no longer necessary. Invasive procedures can be reserved for planned intervention. Prior three dimensional CT visualisation of both the renal arteries and the aorta may facilitate the procedure. Furthermore recent data assessing renal artery stent lumen diameters at multislice CT angiography, with catheter angiography, suggests that thin section multislice CT angiography may also be used for stent follow up.⁶

The potentially negative aspects of CT renal angiography are the patient radiation dose, which is comparable to catheter angiography, and the nephrotoxicity of iodinated contrast. Concerns over radiation are less relevant in what is generally an older population, and although nephrotoxicity is a genuine risk, it rarely leads to a clinically relevant deterioration in renal function.

Renal angiography, whether invasive or not, should be performed in order to identify renal artery stenosis that would be treated if found. Revascularisation of atherosclerotic, stenosed, renal arteries is not always beneficial. The results of ongoing studies may help identify the subgroups of patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis who benefit the most from revascularisation. Until this time most authors recommend revascularisation for rapidly progressive renal failure with no other obvious cause, severe refractory hypertension, and recurrent flash pulmonary oedema.^7,8 As subspecialisation increases the patient group most likely to be referred to a cardiologist for investigation is the group with recurrent flash pulmonary oedema. It is therefore important that cardiologists investigating these patients should be aware of the accuracy and availability of this rapid and safe method of non-invasive renal artery assessment.