Successful aspiration and rheolytic thrombectomy of a renal artery infarct and review of the current literature

Vacuum-Assisted Thrombo-Aspiration for Paradoxical Embolism in Left Renal Artery: A Case Report and Literature Review

Paradoxical embolism through the foramen ovale is a rare and devastating event requiring urgent treatment. Herein, we present the case of a 23-year-old male who presented with a pulmonary embolism complicated by a left renal artery paradoxical embolism. Urgent vacuum-assisted thrombo-aspiration restored normal perfusion of the left kidney within 5 hours. The patient had a patent foramen ovale and heterozygous thrombophilia. However, a radioisotopic scan performed 2 years later revealed an unexpected decrease in left renal perfusion. Therefore, despite the angiographic success, functional evaluation using a renal scan should be performed to assess renal function.

A rare cause of abdominal pain managed unconventionally: acute renal infarction caused by atrial fibrillation: a case report

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias. The main thrombotic complication of arterial fibrillation is ischemic stroke, but it can also cause acute renal infarction from embolization. The low incidence and nonspecific clinical manifestations of acute renal infarction make it difficult to diagnose, often leading to either delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Due to its rarity, more efficient treatment guidelines are helpful for the management of acute renal infarction related to the thromboembolic complication of arterial fibrillation.

CASE REPORTS

We report a case of acute renal infarction due to underlying arterial fibrillation, where a novel interventional therapeutic method was used. A 66-year-old Chinese man with arterial fibrillation, not on anticoagulation due to the patient's preference, and coronary artery disease post-percutaneous coronary intervention to left anterior descending artery about 1 year ago, was currently on dual antiplatelet therapy. He suddenly developed intermittent and sharp left-sided abdominal pain and was found to have an acute left renal infarction on computed tomography scan. Angiogram showed acute occlusion of the left renal artery due to thromboembolism. For this patient, a combination method of local thrombus aspiration, angioplasty, and infusion of nitroglycerin and diltiazem were used, restoring blood flow to the left kidney. After recovery, the patient was discharged on aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin. At 6 months follow-up, there was no residual kidney dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute renal infarction from thromboembolism is a rare but serious complication of arterial fibrillation. More efficient and different options for intervention methods will benefit the treatment of this disease. Here, we report a combination therapeutic method that has not been used in acute renal infarction associated with arterial fibrillation, and which restored renal perfusion and prevented long-term kidney injury.

Case Report: Acute Renal and Splenic Infarctions Secondary to Atrial Fibrillation

Acute renal and splenic infarctions are an uncommon condition that can result from obstruction or decrease of renal and splenic arterial flow. We described a 73-year-old woman who presented with right flank pain and nocturnal dyspnea. The computed tomography (CT) scan with intravenous contrast showed multiple infarcts in both bilateral kidneys and spleen. Serum creatinine clearance was impaired. Further investigation by electrocardiogram (ECG) and 24-h Holter revealed that the patient had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic findings were unremarkable except for severe spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in the left atrial appendage. The development of thromboembolic renal and splenic infarction was attributed to embolism caused by atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulant therapy was initiated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and followed by an oral anticoagulant. To manage PAF and prevent further embolism, the “One-stop” procedure, including atrial fibrillation catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), was applied to this patient. Follow-up at 1 month showed normal sinus rhythm, improved renal function, and relieved renal and splenic infarction.

Endovascular Thrombus Aspiration and Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Thromboembolic Renal Artery Occlusion

PURPOSE

We report a case of revascularization for an occluded renal artery using endovascular renal thrombus aspiration followed by catheter-directed thrombolysis.

CASE REPORT

A 56-year-old man presented with sudden onset severe left-sided abdominal and loin pain for 6 hours. Urgent computed tomography (CT) angiogram showed occlusion of left renal artery. Emergency selective left renal angiogram and thrombus aspiration using a 5-French Cobra catheter was performed. Catheter-directed thrombolysis with urokinase was initiated after aspiration thrombectomy. Angiogram 24 hours after thrombolysis showed the left renal artery and its segmental branches were successfully revascularized. Patient was put on anticoagulation after operation and his renal function recovered well.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy with conventional catheters combined with intra-arterial local fibrinolysis could be used to salvage the renal function in case of complete renal artery thromboembolic occlusion.

Renal arteriography with endovascular ultrasound for the management of renal infarction patients

Background

Renal infarction (RI) is a rare disease with poor prognosis. Appropriate secondary prevention treatment is essential and requires an exhaustive etiological assessment. We aimed to determine whether invasive endovascular explorations may improve the diagnostic process and change the secondary prevention treatment strategy in RI patients.

Methods

We report a retrospective observational study of 25 RI patients referred to Tours University Hospital between 2011 and 2018 for etiological investigation including renal arteriography and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). We sought for antithrombotic treatment regimen, vital status, bleeding and ischemic outcomes during the median follow-up of 59 months.

Results

Invasive explorations showed local arterial disease in 14 patients (56%). This led to a diagnosis or change in diagnosis in 9 patients (36%) and to a change in antithrombotic strategy in 56% of cases, with an increased prescription of antiplatelet therapy. No patient died, only two patients (8%) had persistent mild renal insufficiency. One IVUS complication was reported and treated without any significant long-term consequences.

Conclusion

Invasive endovascular investigations of RI may modify the secondary prevention treatment through a better assessment of the aetiology of RI. Multicentric randomized studies are necessary to advocate the hypothesis that invasive exploration of renal artery can improve long-term prognosis.

Unilateral Acute Renal Artery Embolism: An Index Case of Successful Mechanical Aspiration Thrombectomy With Use of Penumbra Indigo Aspiration System and a Review of the Literature

Acute renal artery embolism (RAE) is a rare condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The treatment strategy for RAE includes anticoagulation with or without thrombolysis or surgical or endovascular embolectomy. We describe here a case presentation of acute RAE secondary to atrial fibrillation treated successfully with Penumbra Indigo Aspiration System, a novel device in peripheral endovascular interventions. Our patient had ongoing symptoms and acute renal failure on presentation with contraindication to thrombolysis given hypertensive emergency. A 6F Penumbra Aspiration catheter was used to aspirate large amounts of thrombus from segmental renal arteries with restoration of flow. Patient's symptoms and renal function returned to baseline after intervention. Penumbra system is used routinely in cerebral endovascular intervention, yet here we describe its potential use in peripheral vascular interventions in addition to a literature review of all available evidence for the different treatment modalities of acute RAE.

Rheolytic Thrombectomy with AngioJet® Is Safe and Effective in Revascularization of Renal Arteries' Acute Occlusion on Previous Complex Aortic Endovascular Repair

Acute occlusion of the visceral arteries is a threatening complication following branched endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Its prompt diagnosis and treatment are mandatory to restore renal function. Several techniques have been used to manage this complication. We report 2 clinical cases of patients, previously treated with implantation of an off-the-shelf thoracoabdominal aortic endograft, with acute bilateral occlusion of the renal arteries. Both patients were successfully treated with AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy. Acute occlusion of the renal arteries can dramatically complicate the outcome of patients treated with branched EVAR. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required. Rheolytic thrombectomy rapidly removes intra-arterial thrombus through Bernoulli effect, preventing the risk of distal embolization and rapidly restoring the renal function.

Aspiration Thrombectomy of Acute Atrial Fibrillation-related Renal Artery Thromboembolism in a Patient with Horseshoe Kidney

BACKGROUND

Acute arterial thromboembolism to the renal arteries can be treated promptly by local thrombolysis, conventional surgical thrombectomy, or anticoagulation.

METHODS

We report a patient who presented with acute loin pain as a result of atrial fibrillation-related thromboembolism to the right renal artery supplying his horseshoe kidney. He was already on warfarin treatment with international normalized ratio of 1.7 and had acute bleeding from malignant peptic ulcer disease, so thrombolysis was contraindicated.

RESULTS

He underwent timely endovascular revascularization with aspiration thrombectomy, with good clinical and radiological consequence. He subsequently underwent curative partial gastrectomy and made a steady recovery.

CONCLUSION

Early endovascular target-directed therapy such as intra-arterial thrombolysis and mechanical aspiration in combination with intravenous heparin therapy will result in renal salvage.

Acute renal infarction associated with homozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation C677T and IgA beta-2-glycoprotein antibodies

Arterial thrombosis of the kidney(s) is a rare clinical entity usually presenting as a result of cardioembolic disease, though rare inherited hypercoagulable states have also been implicated. Within this context, both hyperhomocysteinemia triggered by a mutated methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene product and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies have been separately associated with arterial thrombotic events, including renal artery embolism. We present a case of combined homozygous MTHFR C677T mutation and IgA beta-2-glycoprotein antibody positivity resulting in acute renal infarction and previous silent myocardial infarction. An acute and otherwise unexplained thrombotic event of unusual location always warrants further investigation, which should include testing for hereditary thrombophilic disorders.

Acute renal infarct without apparent cause: A case report and review of the literature

Acute renal infarction is a rare clinical entity most commonly occurring as a result of a thromboembolic event in patients with predisposing risk factors. Its non-specific presentation can lead to delayed or missed diagnosis. However, modern imaging technology has allowed for the diagnosis of renal infarction to be made earlier in its clinical course. Due to its rare nature, treatment guidelines do not exist. We report a case of acute renal infarction identified on computed tomography scan in a patient with no known predisposing factors to thromboembolism that was treated through suction thrombectomy.

"Primary" percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty for late stent thrombosis

Renal artery thrombosis is a rare, but serious and often misdiagnosed, condition, with poor prognosis and renal functional impairment. As for the rarity of the occurrence, data about real incidence of renal stent thrombosis are lacking, ranging from 0 to 1 % depending on the study evaluated. We report the case of a 43-year-old man with nephrovascular hypertension, previously treated with renal stent implantation, with a late stent thrombosis. The diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic management was analyzed and discussed.