Renal Vein Thrombosis

What is renal vein thrombosis?

The formation of a thrombus (blood clot) in the vein that that trenches blood from the kidney is known as renal vein thrombosis.This type of thrombosis mostly occurs in patients with nephrotic syndrome (urinary protein loss, low blood proteins, high cholesterol, swelling etc). Other underlying causes of this disease in adults include renal cell cancer, glomerulonephritis (kidney disease), collagen vascular disease, clotting disorders and other severe infections. Abdomen or back injury can also be resposible for the development of this condition. In children this condition develops mainly because of dehydration and sepsis (systemic disease).

Symptoms

This condition exhibits fewer symptoms like thrombus to the lungs(which causes shortness of breath), less urination, blood in urine and sudden back pain.

Complications 

Pulmonary embolism (blockage of artery in the lung), renal atrophy (a kidney disease in which the size of kidney is reduced) and renal papillary necrosis (kidney disorder) are major complications of RVT.

Diagnosis

To diagnose renal vein thrombosis a doctor may prescribe certain tests to diagnose the underlying conditions. Abdominal CT scan, MRI and ultrasound tests are required. Other tests include duplex doppler exam of the renal veins, urinary analysis and venography of kidney veins.

Treatment

The main objective of the treatment is to keep the blood clots from developing and minimizing thromboembolism (the probability of the blood clots to travel to the other locations). The treatment also focuses on the underlying conditions for RVT. A patient has to take antibiotics (anti-coagulation therapy) to stop the formation of blood clots. For the treatment of nephrotic syndrome immune suppression therapy is used along with the dosage of steroids. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) can be given individually or in combination to prevent the protein loss in case of nephrotic syndrome. Surgical treatment is required in case of renal cell tumor. In case of kidney diseases a blood thinner known as warfarin is usually prescribed by the doctors and in case of a kidney transplant aspirin is recommended to prevent this condition.

Normal protein diet is recommended for the patients of RVT and the doctor may limit the physical activities for some time. Renal vein thrombosis gets better with the passage of time without causing a permanent injury to the kidneys. The prognosis of RVT is dependent on the underlying causes and complications. The chances of death, because of RVT are rare.