Non-invasive imaging cannot replace formal angiography in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension

An excellent study published in Pediatric Nephrology journal today from the Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK, shows that the sensitivity of MRA and CTA is still too low to reliably rule out renovascular disease in children with a strong suspicion of this diagnosis. DSA remains the gold standard to diagnose renovascular hypertension and is recommended when clinical and laboratory criteria are highly suggestive of renovascular disease even with normal radiological investigations from non-invasive methods.