Fibromuscular dysplasia is a congenital disorder involving thickening of the arterial wall and is a cause of renal artery stenosis in younger adults, particularly women 20 to 40 years old. Renal artery stenosis may cause chronic renal failure . There are usually no symptoms. The blood pressure may be high, and there may be a history of hypertension that is refractory or difficult to control. A radionuclide cystogram may indicate a decreased blood flow.
Renal arteriography shows the exact location of the stenosed area.
The treatment varies depending on the extent and severity of the symptoms. The second kidney may take over filtering and urine production for the body if the stenosis results in failure of that kidney. Surgical repair of the stenosed area may be possible. Antihypertensive medications may be needed to control high blood pressure . Renal artery stenosis may cause eventual failure of the kidney if it progressively blocks the artery.