Renal artery stenosis
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Definition
Where a narrowing of the renal artery causes problems.
Epidemiology
Pretty common, generally seen around the age of 50.
Pathophysiology
The artery supplying the kidneys gets smaller. Usually this is due to atherosclerosis, where cholesterol deposits in the artery cause a narrowing.
It can be down to fibromuscular dysplasia in young females - if so it will cause a "beaded" appearance of the renal artery on angiography.