An angiogram, also known as an arteriogram, is an X-ray image of blood vessels performed to assess vascular conditions, including aneurysms, stenosis, and blockages. A renal angiogram focuses specifically on the blood vessels of the kidneys.

For a renal angiogram, a contrast dye is introduced by a catheter into the blood vessels of the kidneys and X-rays are taken in an effort to reveal abnormalities affecting the blood supply. A more advanced version of the renal angiogram utilizes fluoroscopy (think of it as an “X-ray movie”) to see more detailed images of the kidneys and associated blood vessels in motion.