Renal artery stenosis

RMA Definition

In the Statement of Principle (SOP) for hypertension, renal artery stenosis is defined by the RMA as "at least 50% narrowing of the lumen of a renal artery, and which produces clinical manifestations which are poorly controlled hypertension, renal impairment, or acute pulmonary oedema".

Causes of renal artery stenosis include atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, dissection, fibrosis/scarring (following surgery/trauma) and external compression.  The common cause in the middle aged and elderly is an atheromatous plaque.  In younger women, stenosis is due to intrinsic structural abnormalities of the artery wall.

Renal artery stenosis producing one or more of the clinical manifestations listed above, would have been investigated and specifically diagnosed.However, medical records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained. Therefore, if the veteran or member gives a history of renal artery stenosis at a particular time and relevant medical notes cannot be obtained, you should seek medical advice to decide whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to renal artery stenosis or to some other condition.

Last reviewed for CCPS 12 March 2008.

Preliminary questions [572]

9037     there is some evidence that renal artery stenosis may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

592       the veteran has suffered from renal artery stenosis at some time.

26548 the renal artery stenosis occurred as a result of an illness or injury which is identifiable.

9036     the veteran was suffering from renal artery stenosis, due to the identified illness or injury, at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

593        the veteran has established the causal connection between the renal artery stenosis and VEA service for the clinical onset of hypertension.

1190     the veteran has established the causal connection between the renal artery stenosis and operational service for the clinical onset of hypertension.

or

1191     the veteran has established the causal connection between the renal artery stenosis and eligible service for the clinical onset of hypertension.

Clinical onset and operational service [1190]

596        the identified illness or injury, which caused the renal artery stenosis, is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [1191]

1193     the identified illness or injury, which caused the renal artery stenosis, is causally related to eligible service.