The most common cause of renal artery stenosis is atherosclerosis, the same condition that causes narrowing of the arteries in coronary heart disease and stroke, and the risk factors are the same as well. Cholesterol plaques build up along the walls of the renal artery and gradually cause narrowing.
Oxytocin is a commonly used uterotonic that can cause significant and even fatal hypotension, particularly when given as a bolus. The resulting hypotension can be produced by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance or cardiac output through a decrease in venous return.
More frequently, hemodialysis-associated hypotension is a result of other factors. For example, food ingestion during hemodialysis is a documented cause of hypotension. The mechanism of action is decreased systemic vascular resistance. The obvious solution for this cause of hypotension is to stop food ingestion before and during hemodialysis. Hypotension can also represent a reaction to the hemodialysis membrane. Approximately 3% to 5% of patients who are dialyzed with cellulosic membranes may experience side effects, including hypotension.