Use of the Xenon-133 Washout Technique in Diagnosing Renovascular Disease in Hypertension

Abstract
In this paper several aspects of the evaluation of renal perfusion by means of the xenon-133 washout technique are reviewed. Although the method requires arterial catheterization, and is difficult to carry out in the face of far-advanced renal artery stenosis, in many patients it may provide useful information on the intrarenal hemodynamic pattern. In patients with renal artery stenosis the percentage of total flow perfusing the rapid compartment (= outer cortex) is maintained, but absolute flow in that compartment is reduced to a variable degree. It is suggested that this reflects recruitment of fast-flow nephrons in response to a fall in perfusion pressure.

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