Q: how do you effectively prevent renal artery occlusion?

Placing a stent: Renal artery stents can dilate a stenosed or narror renal artery and prevent occlusion.

Q: are there some genetic reasons i could get renal artery occlusion?

Yes: There are inherited disorders of clotting that can predispose you to arterial disease in the kidney and elsewhere. Additionally there are familial disorders of metabolism that cause accelerated atherosclerosis. A strong family history of premature arterial disease or heart attacks raises one's suspicions. These conditions can be mitigated through judicious use of medications.

Question 1

what exactly is renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Obstruction: Renal artery is the artery that feeds the kidney. If occluded, it is shut down. The kidney will not necessarily shut down however. It may still get its blood supply from collaterals (small branches) that bypass the blocked site. The kidney function will not be normal though!

Question 2

what are the tests for renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Vascular studies: A renal artery doppler, mr angiography, IV contrast angiography, co2 angiography, ct angiography are helpful.  Older tests include ace inhibitor challenges, searching for drug mediated creatinine rise. This is not much used.

Question 3

what is the actual prognosis for renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Usually stable: Usually it is a slow process allowing the development of collateral circulation i.e. Side branches that bypass the occlusion. The kidney is already shrunken with poor function in most of the cases. But with stable function. Occlusion usually is not openable. Accordingly, deterioration of already poor kidney function is not aggrassive. Check with your doc about the other kidney condition. However!

Question 4

what are the common symptoms of a renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

No common symptoms: This problem is most commonly found, without symptoms, during testing for high blood pressure. The common causes are chronic occlusion from atherosclerosis or hyperplasia of the artery.

Acute embolic occlusion may result in severe flank pain. This is uncommon.

Question 5

how common is it for somebody to get renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Not so common: Depends on your age, BP level- less than 1% of patients with moderate or gr 2 ( BP more than 160/100) high blood pressure will have renal artery stenosis or blockage. More common in caucasians than african americans.Usually don't have to screen for ras unless patient is on multiple medications , unable to tolerate medicines, severe high BP requiring hospitalization or kidney function is affected.

Question 6

what is the definition or description of: renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

A blockage: of the renal artery, the main artery supplying the kidney.  Can lead to renal damage and hypertension.

Question 7

i've developed renal artery occlusion. what should i be watching out for in the future?

Accepted Answer

High blood pressure: If your artery to the kidney is completely blocked, there is no reason to restore flow.  However, you should be sure that it is completely blocked, rather than a very tight narrowing, which would require treatment.  
The artery to your second kidney should be monitored to make sure that there is not an issue there.  Losing flow to both kidneys would result in kidney failure, and dialysis.

Question 8

is there a cure for renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Depends: "occlusion" means 100% blockage. "stenosis" means <100% blockage.  If you have abrupt  or very recent occlusion or stenosis, the artery can be dilated and stented using a wire & balloon (angioplasty). If there is chronic occlusion, the kidney has been permanently damaged and there's no benefit in doing anything further to the artery.

Question 9

how do you effectively prevent renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Placing a stent: Renal artery stents can dilate a stenosed or narror renal artery and prevent occlusion.

Question 10

are there some genetic reasons i could get renal artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There are inherited disorders of clotting that can predispose you to arterial disease in the kidney and elsewhere. Additionally there are familial disorders of metabolism that cause accelerated atherosclerosis.  A strong family history of premature arterial disease or heart attacks raises one's suspicions. These conditions can be mitigated through judicious use of medications.

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What exactly is renal artery occlusion?

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What are the tests for renal artery occlusion?

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What is the actual prognosis for renal artery occlusion?

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What are the common symptoms of a renal artery occlusion?

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How common is it for somebody to get renal artery occlusion?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: renal artery occlusion?

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I've developed renal artery occlusion. what should i be watching out for in the future?

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Is there a cure for renal artery occlusion?

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How do you effectively prevent renal artery occlusion?

A member asked:

Are there some genetic reasons i could get renal artery occlusion?

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