Background: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) can cause arterial hypertension and can lead to renal insufficiency. In 1999 16% of patients starting dialysis in Germany suffered from ischemic nephropathy.
Screening: Cost-effective screening for RAS should be done by Doppler sonography or captopril renography. Doppler sonographic findings can be predictive in respect to progression of stenosis, renal atrophy and postinterventional course of hypertension and kidney survival.
Treatment: The results of recent studies are helpful to select patients for preferential drug treatment or for interventional treatment.