Thrombolytic therapy in bilateral embolism of renal arteries branches

ABSTRACT

Bilateral renal artery embolism is rare, but it is a significant cause of arterial hypertension and renal failure, and most often is associated with cardiac arrhythmias. We report a case of bilateral renal artery embolism with a satisfactory outcome following use of thrombolytic therapy. A 42 year-old Caucasian man presented a sudden complaint of intense abdominal pain, in mesogastrium and left flank with dorsal irradiation, 3 days after electrical cardioversion due to cardiac arrhythmia. Laboratory tests revealed slight leukocytosis, hematuria, and creatinine of 1.8 mg/dL. Chest radiography was normal and computerized tomography showed an area of massive ischemia in left kidney, and focal ischemia in right kidney and spleen. The patient was then submitted to systemic venous therapy with 1.5 million units of streptokinase, with an excellent outcome: