Twelve cases of emboli to the renal artery (one of which was recurrent) were reviewed. In seven patients, emboli were unilateral and the opposite kidney was functional. In five patients, emboli were bilateral or occurred in a
solitary kidney, leading to
anuria. Cardiac rhythm disorders were encountered in eight patients and were responsible for emboli in other areas in three. Arteriography in ten patients demonstrated seven complete truncal occlusions (one bilateral), two incomplete truncal occlusions, and one distal
embolus. One patient with a distal
embolus was treated by
heparin alone with satisfactory results. One patient in poor general condition was treated with intraarterial
streptokinase, resulting in incomplete lysis of the clot. The five patients with
anuria were operated on: four regained satisfactory renal function whereas the other patient died. In five patients without
anuria who were operated upon, renal function returned to normal in four, and one patient required
nephrectomy. Surgical treatment is imperative with
anuria and is indicated in unilateral emboli with a functional contralateral kidney, especially when there is complete occlusion of the renal trunk. If the
embolus is recent, intraarterial fibrinolytic treatment or percutaneous
embolectomy can be attempted, but these techniques are not of proven efficacy. Patients with distal emboli or
contraindications to operation should be treated by
anticoagulant therapy, alone or with local fibrinolytic treatment.