title: Recovery of function in a solitary kidney after intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy.
abstract: Renal artery thromboembolism is a rare event that most often occurs in patients with cardiac dysrhythmias. Surgical thromboembolectomy is risky and medical therapy with intra-arterial thrombolytic agents has become increasingly popular. Although successful clot dissolution has been well documented, renal function often is not recovered. We describe a patient with anuria from thromboembolism to a solitary kidney, treated with low dose intra-arterial streptokinase infusion. There were no adverse effects from therapy and renal function returned to a point where dialysis was no longer required. A review of the literature is included with special attention to various protocols for infusion. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy may result in clinically significant recovery of renal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hefty
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forsyth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001002:Anuria / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D013300:Streptokinase