How Does Renal Artery Stenosis Affect Kidney Tissue?
The reduced blood supply due to RAS leads to ischemic changes in the renal parenchyma. Histologically, these changes manifest as tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. The glomeruli may also show signs of ischemic injury, including wrinkling of the glomerular basement membrane and collapse of the capillary loops.
Chronic ischemia can eventually lead to a condition termed "ischemic nephropathy," characterized by a shrunken, scarred kidney. The histological examination of such kidneys often reveals extensive fibrosis and loss of functional nephrons.
