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Acute arterial occlusion - kidneyAlternative namesAcute renal arterial thrombosis; Renal artery embolism; Acute renal artery occlusion; Embolism - renal arteryDefinitionAcute renal arterial thrombosis is a sudden, severe blockage of the artery that supplies the kidney.Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The kidneys are very sensitive to the amount of blood that flows through them. Any reduction of blood flow through the renal artery can impair kidney function. If prolonged, a complete blockage of blood flow to the kidney often results in permanent failure of the kidney.
The risk of emboli increases if there is a history of certain heart disorders such as mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation. Individuals with disorders that make them highly likely to form clots may be particularly vulnerable to acute renal artery occlusions. Occasionally, renal artery stenosis may increase the risk of a sudden occlusion due to clot formation. Symptoms
Signs and testsPhysical examination is generally unrevealing unless the disorder has persisted long enough to cause kidney failure.
TreatmentOften, no specific treatment is recommended. Blood clots may resolve spontaneously in time.If the blockage is discovered within a few hours of its occurrence, or if the affected kidney is the only functional kidney, attempts may be made to open the artery. Attempts to open the artery may include use of clot-dissolving medications (thrombolytics) and medications that prevent the blood from clotting (anticoagulants) such as Coumadin. Surgical repair of the artery or removal of the blockage with a catheter inserted into the artery by a radiologist may be required in some cases. Treatment for acute renal failure may be appropriate. Expectations (prognosis)If only one kidney is affected, the healthy kidney may take over filtering and urine production. Damage caused by arterial occlusion may be temporary, but it is usually permanent. If there is only one functional kidney, arterial occlusion results in acute renal failure that often persists as chronic renal failure.Complications
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if urine production stops, or if sudden, severe pain occurs in the back, flank, or abdomen.If you have only one functional kidney and symptoms of acute arterial occlusion appear, go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number such as 911. PreventionIn many cases the disorder is not preventable. The most important way to reduce risk is to stop smoking.Preventive use of anticoagulants may be recommended for people with a high risk of developing emboli such as those with mitral stenosis, atrial fibrillation, or coagulation disorders. Control of atherosclerotic disease may reduce risk. Update Date: 1/19/2004Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. |
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Last updated: Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:20:03 GMT 82:165:250:120:medical-dictionary-search-enginescom:0902 |