Renal Artery Stenosis: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: i.e. renovascular hypertension - systemic hypertension caused by stenosis of the renal artery (leading to renal hypotension and thus increased renin secretion)

[Edit Diagnosis] [Merge dx] [Add prevalence]

Tags: Renal Vascular Tag this Diagnosis.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Renal Artery Stenosis are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Sensitive and Specific Findings

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Magnetic Resonance Angiography	100%	98%	sensitivity much lower for FMD (which affects more distal portion of the artery). In another study, sens / spec was only 62% / 84% Study: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999;173(5):1279. PMID 10541105 Kidney Int. 1995;48(4):1332. PMID 8569096
CT angiography	98%	94%	sensitivity lower in another series with many FMD patients (see comments in MRA finding) - only 28% in patients with FMD Study: Radiology. 1995;196(3):667. PMID 7644627 Ann Intern Med. 2004;141(9):674. PMID 15520423
Doppler Ultrasound	85%	92%	by peak systolic velocity > 180 cm/s (the most accurate US parameter) Study: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;188(3):798 PMID 17312071

Specific Findings

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Systolic and Diastolic Abdominal Bruit	39%	99%	Study: Ann Intern Med. 1979 Oct;91(4):617-22. PMID: 484965
Epigastric or Flank Bruit	63%	90%	Study: Lancet. 1966 Jul 16;2(7455):117-21. PMID: 4161375 cited in The Rational Clinical Examination