Successful delayed revascularisation for renal artery occlusion

Rescue from hemodialysis by late recanalization of renal artery occlusion

We report on a patient with terminal renal insufficiency undergoing hemodialysis since four months. Imaging studies showed complete renal artery occlusion of a single kidney with collateral perfusion. Interventional recanalization of the renal artery was successful with a drop of serum creatinine from 1138 to 163 mol/l sparing the patient from further hemodialysis.

[Successful revascularization of the kidney--3 case reports]

Three cases of successful kidney revascularization and recovery of renal function are presented in this study. In all three cases, renal failure and renovascular hypertension were caused by renal artery occlusion associated with aortic aneurysm (two abdominal and one thoracoabdominal). Prior to operation, one patient required dialysis 4 months, one 25 days and one 2 days. After kidney revascularization, renal function recovered immediately in the first case, in the second case after three months, and in the third case after 10 days. In one case, blood pressure restored to normal without medical therapy, while in two other cases blood pressure decreased nearly to normal with minimal medical therapy. In appropriately selected cases, revascularization of the occluded renal artery is recommended for treatment of both renal failure and renovascular hypertension. In such cases, collateral circulation is crucial to enable the preservation of dysfunctional kidney.