Renal Artery Occlusion
This is most often an embolic phenomenon. Clot emboli originate in the heart in atrial fibrillation or after myocardial infarction, or atheromatous emboli originate from the aorta after aortic manipulation during angiography or vascular surgery. Both types of embolization are obviously more prevalent in elderly patients.
Renal artery occlusion does not invariably cause renal infarction or symptoms. However, when symptoms occur, they usually reflect tissue ischemia and death. Sudden renal infarction may cause severe localized flank pain, nausea and vomiting, and oliguria, but rarely hematuria. A sudden onset or exacerbation of hypertension may occur. A leukocytosis may be seen along with elevations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum and urine. Segmental or unilateral renal infarction may be asymptomatic without an evident effect on renal function.
Renal vascular scintiradiography is a most useful initial test in suspected cases of renal infarction. Total lack of renal blood flow in a dynamic study, or defects in activity on a static image, are highly compatible findings. Renal arteriography may be needed to visualize the extent or location of the occluding embolus/thrombus. Renal artery embolectomy has been successful in restoring blood flow and renal function even if performed two to four days after embolization.
Atheromatous embolization from an aortic plaque usually follows manipulation of an atherosclerotic aorta. The process presents as acute, oliguric renal failure following a surgical or angiographic procedure of the aorta. Although abdominal aortic aneurysms rarely extend into the renal arteries, the manipulation required for surgical repair of the aneurysm may dislodge occluding emboli. Asymptomatic atheromatous embolization to segmental arteries may occur spontaneously, as evidenced by local, healed renal infarcts discovered incidentally at autopsy.
- History and Physical Examination
- Improving Case Management
- OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASE
- TRAMSPLATTTATION
- Mechanism of Proteinuria
- PLEURAL EFFUSIONS
- DRUG-ASSOCIATED RENAL INJURY
- Hematuria
- BROliCHIECTASIS
- PULMOIIARY FUNCTION EVALUATION
- TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS
- Comprehensive Health-care Program for Children in Foster Care
- MEDIASTINITIS
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- SMOKING CESSATION
- EFFECTS OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ON PULMONARY FUNCTION
- Diagnosis
- Endocrine and Other Considerations
- HEMATOLOGY
- OBLITERATIVE OR OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
- SMOKE INHALATION
- ARTERJAL BLOOD GASES
- APPROACH TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF JAUNDICE
- Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia PIE
- ANGINA PECTORIS
- CLINICAL TESTS OF DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION
- HEART DISEASE AND PREGNANCY
- Renal Tumors
- Ovarian Cancer
- SPECIFIC CLINICAL DISORDERS
- HEMODIALYSIS AND HEMOPERFUSION IN THE TREATMENT OF DRUG OVERDOSES
- Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome
- Sickle Cell Anemia (SS)
- DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO HEPATIC NEOPLASMS
- CARCINOMA OF THE COLON