Renal Artery Embolism and Renal Vein Thrombosis

In this chapter, we explore two categories of emergencies involving the major renal vasculature: renal infarction and renal vein thrombosis (RVT). Although both conditions ultimately cause renal ischemia, the etiologies, presentation, treatment strategies, and ultimate prognoses of occlusion of the renal artery and vein are quite different. We review the current literature with an emphasis on the optimal evaluation and treatment of patients with renal artery infarction and RVT.