A method of increasing renal function in a patient operates by stimulation of perivascular sympathetic nerves found in the vicinity of the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic artery. The method can be used as a treatment for renal failure or chronic kidney disease. Alternatively, the method can be used as a prophylactic treatment for preventing contrast-induced nephropathy or any other toxic nephropathy, which can result in renal failure. The perivascular sympathetic nerves can be stimulated by applying energy, such as electrical energy, light, vibration, and ultrasonic vibration, to the perivascular sympathetic nerves. Various methods are described for stimulating the perivascular sympathetic nerves using electrodes that are placed using minimally-invasive techniques.
