A painless, 30-minute renal artery duplex ultrasound performed at your home in Kennebunk by an ARDMS-certified cardiovascular sonographer. We evaluate blood flow to your kidneys through the renal arteries — identifying stenosis that can drive resistant hypertension — the same hospital-grade imaging, without the hospital. Board-certified cardiologist report delivered within 24–48 hours.
Clinical Indications
A renal artery duplex ultrasound evaluates blood flow to your kidneys through the renal arteries — the vessels that branch directly from the aorta. It is the primary non-invasive screening tool for renal artery stenosis, a condition where narrowing of one or both renal arteries restricts blood flow to the kidneys and drives resistant hypertension — high blood pressure that does not respond adequately to medication. If your blood pressure remains elevated despite taking three or more medications, or if you have experienced sudden-onset hypertension, unexplained kidney function decline, or flash pulmonary edema, renal artery duplex is the study that can identify the underlying vascular cause.
Renal artery stenosis is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis in older adults and fibromuscular dysplasia in younger patients — particularly women. Risk factors include long-standing hypertension, diabetes, smoking, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The condition is frequently missed because its symptoms overlap with essential hypertension. However, renal artery stenosis is a treatable cause of high blood pressure — and identifying it changes the treatment plan from medication management to potential revascularization. Untreated, it can lead to ischemic nephropathy, progressive kidney failure, and the need for dialysis.
Kennebunk residents have limited options for renal artery duplex imaging without entering the hospital system. The nearest hospital-based labs are at Southern Maine Health Care (Biddeford) and Maine Medical Center (Portland) — both requiring a physician referral, insurance pre-authorization, and often a multi-week wait for scheduling.
What We're Looking For
Peak systolic velocity in the renal arteries is the primary indicator of stenosis. Elevated velocities (>200 cm/s) suggest hemodynamically significant narrowing.
Compares renal artery velocity to aortic velocity. A ratio above 3.5 is a strong indicator of greater than 60% stenosis.
A kidney that is significantly smaller than its pair (>1.5 cm difference) suggests chronic ischemia from long-standing renal artery stenosis.
Measures vascular resistance within the kidney itself. Elevated RI (>0.80) indicates intrarenal disease and helps predict whether revascularization will improve blood pressure.
Up to 30% of people have extra renal arteries. Identifying them is important because stenosis in an accessory artery can cause hypertension just as effectively as stenosis in the main artery.
Evaluates flow patterns within the kidney parenchyma. Tardus-parvus waveforms (slow acceleration, low amplitude) indicate significant upstream stenosis.
Why BlackPoint
Kennebunk residents have limited options for renal artery duplex imaging without entering the hospital system. The nearest hospital-based labs are at Southern Maine Health Care (Biddeford) and Maine Medical Center (Portland) — both requiring a physician referral, insurance pre-authorization, and often a multi-week wait for scheduling.
BlackPoint is different. You book directly — no referral, no insurance friction. Our sonographer, Emanuel Papadakis, RDCS, RVT, performs every scan personally with twenty years of cardiovascular imaging experience. He arrives at your home in Kennebunk with a Mindray diagnostic ultrasound system — the same platform used in accredited hospital labs — and performs a comprehensive renal artery duplex in approximately 30 minutes.
Every study is reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist who delivers a written clinical report in plain language within 24–48 hours. The cost is $397 flat — no surprise bills, no facility charges, no insurance games. HSA and FSA accepted.
How It Works
Choose your scan and pick a time. No physician referral needed. Same-week appointments typically available for Kennebunk.
Emanuel, RDCS, RVT, arrives with a Mindray diagnostic ultrasound system. The scan takes approximately 30 minutes and is completely painless — no needles, no radiation, no preparation required.
A board-certified cardiologist reviews your images and delivers a detailed, plain-language report. Clear findings, clear next steps.
Is This Scan Right For You?
You do not need to be symptomatic to benefit from a renal artery duplex. Renal artery stenosis is frequently missed because its symptoms mimic essential hypertension. Consider scheduling if any of the following apply to you:
Local Coverage · York County
BlackPoint provides mobile renal artery duplex ultrasounds throughout the Kennebunk corridor and surrounding York County communities. Year-round and seasonal residents welcome.
Full Service Menu
In addition to renal artery duplex ultrasound, BlackPoint offers a full range of cardiovascular and vascular ultrasound screenings — all mobile, all $397, all cardiologist-reviewed.
Heart ultrasound — evaluates pumping strength, valve function, and chamber size.
Stroke risk assessment — evaluates plaque and stenosis in the arteries supplying your brain.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm detection — especially important for men over 65 with smoking history.
DVT and venous insufficiency screening from groin to calf.
Peripheral artery disease screening — evaluates circulation in your legs.
Learn More
Understanding renal artery duplex — what it measures and why it matters for blood pressure control.
How PAD affects circulation and what vascular ultrasound can reveal about your risk.
Understand the numbers, abbreviations, and findings in your cardiologist report.
Fully mobile to Kennebunk and York County. No referral. $397 per scan, all-inclusive. Cardiologist-reviewed results in 24–48 hours.
Or call (207) 409-7797