Snapshot A 68-year-old man presents to the emergency room with a 2-day history of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. He denies any urinary frequency or urgency and denies any recent changes in his diet. His temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) and pulse is 104/min. He has a past medical history significant for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. He has had two stents in the past three years. On physical exam, there is bilateral flank tenderness upon palpation. A non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) scan without contrast is negative for urolithiasis. A CT scan with contrast reveals a wedge shaped perfusion defect in both kidneys. Introduction Clinical definition complete occlusion of main renal artery or segmental branch Epidemiology incidence very rare 0.7-1.4% found on autopsies risk factors cardiovascular disease Etiology cardioemboli cardiomyopathy endocarditis artificial valves thrombi renal artery injury and thrombosis Marfan syndrome trauma polyarteritis nodosa other vasculitidies hypercoagulable states hereditary thrombophilia antiphospholipid syndrome Pathogenesis complete occlusion of main renal artery or segmental branch artery Associated conditions atrial fibrillation Prognosis 11-12% mortality in first month after diagnosis renal infarction occurs in patient populations with significant morbidity and mortality, such as atrial fibrillation patients are at risk for future repeat renal infarctions Presentation Symptoms acute onset abdominal or flank pain nausea vomiting Physical exam fever acute elevation in blood pressure may be mediated by renin release tenderness to palpation of abdomen or flank other signs of extrarenal embolization focal neurologic deficits Imaging Spiral CT without contrast indications initial test for flank pain to evaluate for renal calculi CT with contrast indications if there are no calculi seen on initial imaging to evaluate for renal infarction findings wedge-shaped perfusion defect 80% sensitivity Studies Labs ↑ creatinine but it can also be normal if embolus is unilateral ↑ lactate dehydrogenase (> 2-4x upper limit of normal) little or no ↑ in serum aminotransferases Urine studies hematuria proteinuria Electrodiagnostics electrocardiogram to evaluate for atrial fibrillation Diagnostic criteria in the correct clinical context, the combination of elevated lactate dehydrogenase and normal serum aminotransferase is strongly suggestive of renal infarction note, this combination is also seen in transplant rejection, late myocardial infarction, and hemolysis, but these are clinically distinct from renal infarction Differential Renal atheroemboli incomplete occlusion of distal vessels will likely have eosinophilia, eosinophiluria, and hypocomplementemia Nephrolithiasis stones seen on imaging lactate dehydrogenase is normal Treatment Medical anticoagulation indications atrial fibrillation hypercoagulable state delayed diagnosiss anticoagulation therapy is prophylactic to prevent future events drugs heparin followed by warfarin Percutaneous endovascular therapy thrombolysis and thrombectomy indications in patients who are diagnosed early if diagnosed early, viable tissue may be saved with thrombolysis Complications Repeat thromboembolic events Renal failure