genitourinary disorders
Renal Atheroembolism
Key Points
Renal atheroembolism usually results from manipulation of the aorta during vascular surgery, angioplasty, or arteriography, and rarely from spontaneous atherosclerotic embolization. Suspect the diagnosis if renal function deteriorates after the aorta or another large artery is manipulated. Confirm the diagnosis based on clinical findings and occasionally with percutaneous renal biopsy. Treat supportively, correcting modifiable risk factors and, when possible, treating the embolic source; however, the overall prognosis remains poor. 