Medical Health Encyclopedia

Renal vein thrombosis


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SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Kidney anatomy
Kidney anatomy
Kidney - blood and urine flow
Kidney - blood and urine flow
Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Alternative Names

Clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein


Treatment

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.


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Expectations (prognosis)

Renal vein thrombosis usually gets better over time without permanently injuring the kidneys.





Complications
  • Acute renal failure (especially if thrombosis occurs in a dehydrated child)
  • Blood clot moves to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
  • Formation of new blood clots

Calling your health care provider

Call 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.



Review Date: 06/08/2011
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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