Also known as: Clearance, Creatinine.

A creatinine clearance test is used to aid in evaluating the rate and efficiency of kidney filtration. It helps detect kidney dysfunction and/or the presence of decreased blood flow to the kidneys. In patients with chronic kidney disease or congestive heart failure (which decreases the rate of blood flow), a creatinine clearance test may be ordered to monitor the progress of the disease and evaluate severity. The test is also used to evaluate the filtration ability of the kidneys and may be ordered when a patient has increased blood creatinine concentrations, a known or suspected kidney disorder, or decreased blood flow to the kidneys due to a condition such as congestive heart failure.