Renal artery stenting is a procedure used to treat renal artery stenosis, a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys become narrowed, typically due to atherosclerosis. This narrowing can lead to reduced blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in hypertension, kidney dysfunction, or even kidney failure if left untreated. The procedure involves inserting a stent, a small mesh-like device, into the narrowed section of the renal artery to help keep it open and restore proper blood flow.
During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the femoral or radial artery and guided to the renal artery under fluoroscopic guidance. A balloon may be inflated to expand the artery before the stent is deployed.