Objective: To determine the utility of local thrombolysis in the treatment of acute renal arterial occlusion.
Methods: We used local thrombolytic treatment in a female patient, aged 76, with 72 h of anuria, right lumbar and flank pain. She had a 3-year history of ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation controlled with digital treatment. Also, she was nephrectomized on the left side 33 years ago for lithiasic pyonephrosis. A normal right urinary tract was demonstrated with ultrasound examination, KUB radiography and retrograde pyelography. The next step was diagnostic abdominal angiography and local thrombolytic treatment with streptokinase.
Result: Thrombolysis with streptokinase was successful following 72 h of renal artery occlusion. After 24 months the patient is doing well.
Conclusion: Local intra-arterial thrombolysis is the treatment of choice in renal artery occlusion.