Basal and reserve renal artery blood flow: effect of endothelium-dependent and -independent vasoactive agonists and radiographic contrast medium in two patients.

This manuscript describes the results of invasive testing of renal artery and arteriolar reactivity in two patients using a panel of endothelium-dependent and -independent agents including radiographic contrast medium. We found that the renal artery and microcirculation dilate in response to graded acetylcholine infusions and to bolus nitroglycerin infusion; the renal microcirculation dilates in response to papaverine but constricts after adenosine and after radiographic contrast medium. Future indications for this testing are briefly discussed.