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Renal Artery Aneurysm - Atheroembolic Renal Disease
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Atheroembolic renal disease is one in which the kidneys fail because the arteries that supply them become blocked. The kidney is then deprived of oxygen-carrying blood.
What is going on in the body?
Blockage in the renal arteries can be caused by these conditions:
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
The following can cause atherosclerosis:
Some of the causes of blood clots are as follows:
The following can cause cholesterol clots:
Aneurysms can be formed by the following:
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms depend on what causes the blocked artery. They can include the following:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of atheroembolic renal disease begins with a medical history and physical exam. Screening tests used to confirm the diagnosis may include the following:
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Some cases of atheroembolic renal disease cannot be prevented. Other times, the following steps may prevent the disease:
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Long-standing high blood pressure can cause heart attacks, strokes, and death. Untreated atheroembolic disease may also cause kidney failure. Blood clots can rupture, causing dramatic blood loss. This may lead to shock, and even death.
What are the risks to others?
Atheroembolic disease is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the disease?
Plaque buildup that causes high blood pressure is often treated with medication. If this doesn't work, other options are as follows:
A renal artery aneurysm is only treated if it is large or if it is causing very high blood pressure. If the aneurysm is in a small branch of the artery, the branch may be removed. This will cause loss of that small portion of the kidney, but it will prevent other problems. Other aneurysms may require surgery.
Blood clots are treated with a thrombolytic medication, such as streptokinase or urokinase. These medicines break down blood clots. If this doesn't work, surgery may be done to remove the clot or the kidney.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Thrombolytic medications can cause bleeding. Renal artery angioplasty may result in persistent bleeding or an infection. Kidney damage can occur but is rare. Surgery may cause bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Most people will be able to resume their normal activities shortly after treatment.
How is the disease monitored?
blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels will be monitored as needed. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:Stuart Wolf, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:06/18/01
Reviewer:Adam Brochert, MD
Date Reviewed:06/07/01