Minimal change nephrotic syndrome diagnosed with acute femoral thromboembolism and successfully salvaged limb: a case report.

ABSTRACT

A 64-year-old man visited the outpatient department of our hospital for the first time due to bilateral lower limb edema, which he noticed 1 week before the visit. Pain suddenly developed in the left lower limb while the patient was in the waiting room. Nephrotic syndrome was suspected based on blood and urine test results. Acute arterial thromboembolism in the left lower limb associated with hypercoagulation due to nephrotic syndrome was suspected, and a diagnosis was made using computed tomography angiography. Arterial thrombectomy was urgently performed, and the limb was salvaged without sequelae. Based on renal biopsy, minimal change nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed, and the patient underwent remission induction with steroid therapy. Heparin was drip infused and apixaban was orally administered to prevent recurrent thrombosis. Nephrotic syndrome in the acute phase is often complicated by thrombosis. Particularly, arterial thromboembolism requires prompt treatment, and prophylactic anticoagulation therapy needs to be considered.