Physical examination maneuver
Physical Exam
Renal Artery Auscultation
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Video coming September 2026
How to Perform
With the patient supine and the abdomen relaxed, place the diaphragm of the stethoscope (firm pressure with a tunable stethoscope) directly on skin a few centimeters superior and lateral to the umbilicus. Listen for a bruit, particularly a combined systolic-diastolic bruit, during a held breath or quiet breathing. Auscultate both sides.
How to Interpret
Showing all 2 findings
Renovascular Hypertension
Continuous (systolic-diastolic) abdominal bruit
Rule in
Very helpful
Rule out
Minimally helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Limited
Any abdominal or flank bruit, including an isolated systolic bruit
Rule in
Helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Limited