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Kidney angiogram: What is it like? Why did you have it done?

Posted by carolak @carolak, May 17, 2024

Hi has anyone has a kidney angiogram and can you tell me about the procedure and why you had it done ? Thanks

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 27 6:10pm
In reply to @pamellia "@gingerw Wow! That is important information. Are you certain it is 25% and is that permanent?..." + (show)
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@gingerw Wow! That is important information. Are you certain it is 25% and is that permanent? 25% (permanent) kidney failure seems unexceptable to me.

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@pamellia You're right, that is unacceptable. This is why we need to be an advocate for our own health! Knowing our existing kidney function, and what factors could cause additional problems, is our responsibility. Each person is their own story. My health issues may not match up with yours, just as even if we use the same medications, they may have differing effects on each of us. So, it is in our best interest to know what is going to work best for us, and be very vocal/adamant in our procedures and treatments. Never be afraid to question.
Ginger

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 28 7:18am
In reply to @gingerw "@carolak I haven't had this procedure done, but I am curious about your question. Are the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

@carolak I haven't had this procedure done, but I am curious about your question. Are the doctors asking you to consider this? If so, why?

A contrast dye is used for a renal angiogram. If you have compromised kidneys, and have kidney function already decreased, this might not be the best decision to do. In about 25% of patients, there is kidney failure due to acute kidney injury caused by the contrast dye. So, you need to make sure you are aware of that possibility.
Ginger

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@gingerw techs can offer alternative contrast and/or IV hydration following the procedure, to help clear out the contrast better and sooner.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 28 7:20am
In reply to @b2byrne "Hi I am shocked to read this. I've had this procedure in the early stages of..." + (show)
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Hi
I am shocked to read this. I've had this procedure in the early stages of being referred in for protein in urine and hospital not finding a plausible reason for my CKD (one kidney was showing as scared and they didn't know why so decided in this procedure with the dye to see if it could provide a more plausible reason. It did not and I have since been on various meds and my kidney function has been depleting at an incredible rate. You are now making me ask the question has this procedure added to the rapid decline?
I had full function in one kidney and I think 45% function in another. This was about 7 years ago. Today I have 22% in one and they are now telling me the other must also be impacted but they are not sure by what % until they do another procedure. Are they trying to kill me I am wondering? They also now want to put me on Dapaglifozin a medication for diabetes. I don't have diabetes.
The side effects of Dapaglifozin are horrendous including death. I am very concerned

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@b2byrne time for 2nd opinion ?!

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 28 7:23am
In reply to @gingerw "@carolak @b2byrne One thing is to be aware of your current level of kidney function, that..." + (show)
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@carolak @b2byrne
One thing is to be aware of your current level of kidney function, that is, your eGFR. Most clinicians will hesitate to initiate a procedure if the patient's eGFR is 30% or less. That goes for anything requiring contrast. It takes a toll on the kidneys to clear the system, and can lead to severe problems.

Sometimes a patient has to have a dialysis session to help the kidneys clear contrast. I have a friend who recently has this happen. She is already on dialysis, by the way, and this was an added session. From Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/contrast-induced-nephropathy

In the end, it is your decision. The reasons for a contrast study can vary, and all risks need to be addressed. @carolak, has there been any discussion about doing MRI or ultrasound as the source of your hematuria is researched?
Ginger

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@gingerw ultrasound is easier on the body, and newer forms are especially good…anyone here with experience ?

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 28 12:16pm
In reply to @nycmusic "@gingerw techs can offer alternative contrast and/or IV hydration following the procedure, to help clear out..." + (show)
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@gingerw techs can offer alternative contrast and/or IV hydration following the procedure, to help clear out the contrast better and sooner.

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@nycmusic my cancer team just approved IV Hydration following the CT. I think they change the contrast for people who have more advanced kidney problems.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 29 8:25am
In reply to @nycmusic "@gingerw techs can offer alternative contrast and/or IV hydration following the procedure, to help clear out..." + (show)
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@gingerw techs can offer alternative contrast and/or IV hydration following the procedure, to help clear out the contrast better and sooner.

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@nycmusic just got clearance for IV hydration ,following CT with contrast…it won’t be done where I get the CT, but at the hospital infusion center…important to set this up well beforehand.

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stuartbell | @stuartbell | May 30 6:34am
In reply to @nycmusic "@nycmusic just got clearance for IV hydration ,following CT with contrast…it won’t be done where I..." + (show)
Profile picture for nycmusic @nycmusic

@nycmusic just got clearance for IV hydration ,following CT with contrast…it won’t be done where I get the CT, but at the hospital infusion center…important to set this up well beforehand.

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@nycmusic please read art Buckwald‘s book. He had that done and spent the rest of his life in hospice.

Never recovered for the contrast.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 30 7:07am
In reply to @stuartbell "@nycmusic please read art Buckwald‘s book. He had that done and spent the rest of his..." + (show)
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@nycmusic please read art Buckwald‘s book. He had that done and spent the rest of his life in hospice.

Never recovered for the contrast.

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@stuartbell thanks for the info….medical guidelines are such that my conditions are mild and the IV hydration is best for me….people often do it the day after chemo to help the body clear .

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stuartbell | @stuartbell | May 30 8:50am

In Art Buckwald's Book, "To Soon to Say Goodby," he addresses his kidney failure and how the contrast ordered for a non-fatal condition probably caused the progression of his CKD to the point he entered Hospice.

I avoided a similar problem when a procedure with contrast was ordered after minor ear infection cleared.

I am not suggesting a patient avoid ordered Chemo that might prolog life. Rather, I am suggesting patients work with their physician to determine if contrast is required when a non-fatal condition such as a earache is involved and the contrast is being proscribed as a routine procedure rather than a procedure intended to help prolong or cure such as Chemo but only to improve the differential diagnosis.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 31 7:15am
In reply to @gingerw "@carolak I haven't had this procedure done, but I am curious about your question. Are the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

@carolak I haven't had this procedure done, but I am curious about your question. Are the doctors asking you to consider this? If so, why?

A contrast dye is used for a renal angiogram. If you have compromised kidneys, and have kidney function already decreased, this might not be the best decision to do. In about 25% of patients, there is kidney failure due to acute kidney injury caused by the contrast dye. So, you need to make sure you are aware of that possibility.
Ginger

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@gingerw what are the best alternatives ? Advanced ultrasound ?

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