[Echo-Doppler and stenosis of the renal arteries. Report of 86 cases]

Duplex-scan is widely used for arterial stenosis diagnosis. Its role in detection of renal artery stenosis remains controversial (2, 17, 19, 28). The aim of this study was to determine retrospectively if duplex-scan is accurate for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis. During 36 months, 764 patients had a renal artery examination with duplex-scan: 90 patients had also renal arteriography. Duplex-scan was feasible in 95% of cases (excess bowel gas or major obesity gave to duplex-scan incomplete results in four patients upon 90). Ninety-three per cent of patients had hypertension; 20% had renal failure; 61% had obstruction of coronary, carotid artery or lower limb arteries. Nineteen patients among 86 had also an intravenous renal arteriography. We compared duplex-scan with venous angiography and intra-arterial arteriography. Duplex-scan criteria for stenoses were: a maximal systolic velocity (MSV) above 180 cm/s for detection of 60% to 79% stenoses and a MSV superior to 300 cm/s for detection of 80% to 99% stenoses. Global results showed a good sensitivity 59/64 (92%) and specificity 112/117 (96%) for duplex-scan. Duplex-scan is accurate for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis in a selected population.