Renal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.
Alternative NamesClot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsRenal vein thrombosis is a fairly uncommon situation that may happen after trauma to the abdomen or back, or it may occur due to:
It may be associated with nephrotic syndrome.
In some children, it occurs after severe dehydration and is a more serious condition than in adults. Dehydration is the most common cause of renal vein thrombosis in infants.
SymptomsAn examination may not reveal the specific problem, but may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.
The treatment is focused on preventing new clot formations and reducing the risk of the clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).
You may get medications that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) to stop new clots from forming. Your doctor may recommend bedrest or limited activity for a brief period.
Expectations (prognosis)Renal vein thrombosis usually gets better over time without permanently injuring the kidneys.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.
If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your health care provider if you develop decreased urine output, difficulty breathing, or other new symptoms.
PreventionThere is no specific prevention for renal vein thrombosis. Maintaining fluids in the body to avoid dehydration may help to reduce its risk.
ReferencesKanso AA, Hassan NMA, Badr KF. Microvascular and macrovascular diseases of the kidney. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 32.
Renal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.
Alternative NamesClot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsRenal vein thrombosis is an uncommon disorder that may be caused by:
In adults, the most common cause is nephrotic syndrome. In infants, the most common cause is dehydration.
SymptomsAn examination may not reveal the specific problem, but may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.
The treatment is focused on preventing new clot formations and reducing the risk of the clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).
You may get medications that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) to stop new clots from forming. Your doctor may recommend bedrest or limited activity for a brief period.
If severe acute renal failure develops, you may need dialysis, but it should be temporary.
Expectations (prognosis)Renal vein thrombosis usually gets better over time without permanently injuring the kidneys.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.
If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your health care provider if you develop decreased urine output, difficulty breathing, or other new symptoms.
PreventionThere is no specific prevention for renal vein thrombosis in most people. Keeping enough fluids in the body to avoid dehydration may help reduce its risk.
In people who have had a kidney transplant, aspirin is sometimes used to prevent renal vein thrombosis. In people with certain chronic kidney diseases, blood thinners such as warfarin may be recommended.
ReferencesDuBose TD Jr, Santos RM. Vascular disorders of the kidney. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 126.
Kanso AA, Hassan NMA, Badr KF. Microvascular and macrovascular diseases of the kidney. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 32.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/08/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Herbert Y Lin, MD, PhD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Most cases of renal vein thrombosis resolve without any permanent damage. Death from renal vein thrombosis is rare,
Renal vein thrombosis develops when a blood clot forms in the renal vein, which carries blood from the kidneys back to the heart. The disorder is not common.
There is no specific prevention for renal vein thrombosis. Preventing dehydration reduces the risk that it will occur.
Renal venography, where a contrast material (dye) is injected into the renal vein before x rays are taken, is one of the best ways to detect renal vein thrombosis.
In children, renal vein thrombosis almost always occurs rapidly after an episode of severe dehydration.
In adults, renal vein thrombosis can be caused by injury to the abdomen or back, as a result of malignant kidney tumors growing into the renal vein, or as a result of kidney diseases
Renal vein thrombosis occurs in both infants and adults. Onset of the disorder can be rapid (acute) or gradual.
The enzyme streptokinase may be given to help dissolve the renal clot. Anticoagulant medications are usually prescribed to prevent clots from recurring.
Deep Vein ThrombosisDeep vein thrombosis
In adults, when the onset of the disorder is gradual, there is a slow decrease in kidney function, and protein appears in the urine.
In many cases, deep vein thrombosis can be successfully treated if diagnosed early.
The difference is that venous thrombosis refers to a blood clot that forms in a vein and deep vein thrombosis is a clot that forms in the deep veins of a leg.