Renal infarction – symptoms, causes and treatment

05/06/2019

Infarction of the kidney

Is not supplied due to a disruption of blood supply to the kidney tissue sufficiently, threatens to renal infarction. In any case, it comes to symptoms, so that it is smaller and incomplete infarcts remain undetected. Pain and other symptoms in an acute infarction of the kidney may occur, however, a rapid diagnosis and appropriate therapy with Anticoagulants, the most important measures to maintain renal function. This is not ensured, it can lead to kidney failure. Under certain circumstances, a life-long required dialysis treatment is the result.

Table of contents

Risk factors

A brief Overview

In the case of a renal infarction of the risk that kidney tissue dies permanently and the associated losses of Function of the kidneys are a burden on the Affected permanently. In the following Overview the most important facts are summarized in this kidney disease advance in the short.

Definition: A renal infarction refers to a lack of blood flow to the kidney tissue, usually due to a vascular blockage, resulting in partial or complete destruction of the organ can lead to. The most common kidney arteries are affected, less pathological changes of the kidneys and cause ill veins the problems.
Symptoms: Minor attacks are usually symptom-free, while in more severe cases, often severe flank pain, abdominal pain and blood in the urine occur.
Causes: In many cases, this is a embolischer Vascular occlusion of one or more renal arteries the cause. Less commonly, it is a thrombosis or a vascular constriction in a renal vein. Pre-existing diseases of the cardiovascular system can play in the emergence of a role, as well as high blood pressure and Diabetes mellitus.
Diagnosis: rapid diagnosis is in a medical check-up with ultrasound, and analyses of blood and urine samples supported. A radiological investigation of the renal vessels (angiography) may be necessary.
Treatment: first and foremost the resolution of the Gefäßpfropfs by means of a drug therapy and, more rarely, by surgery. Painkillers come in the symptomatic treatment. Prophylactic measures provide further therapeutic approaches.
Naturopathic treatment: the nutritional and various medicinal plants treatments (juniper and garlic) can kidney problems be prevented and its causes as well as symptoms in a natural way be counteracted.

Definition

Dies of kidney tissue (renal parenchyma) due to lack of blood and oxygen supply, it is called a renal infarction. This can be a complete infarction, or a so-called Subinfarkt that only affects one or several areas of the Parenchyma, but not the entire kidney.

In the case of a complete infarct of the acute risk that a relatively rapid onset of necrosis (death of tissue), a kidney failure occurs. This is especially dangerous if both kidneys are affected. In the case of an incomplete infarction, in which the vessels are only partially closed, or adjacent blood vessels are able to obtain the supply functions, in many cases, serious functional damage of the kidney nor prevent.

In a narrower sense, a renal infarction refers to a partial or complete arterial occlusion. This is also known as an ischemia, or the ischemic renal infarction. In a broader sense, but can also lead to blockages of the renal vein (for example, renal vein thrombosis) to a so-called hemorrhagic renal infarction.

Symptoms

The extent of the discomfort of a renal infarction is depending on the size of the underserved or dead area is very diverse and ranges from asymptomatic to severe impairments. In the case of an acute infarction is mainly mild to severe flank pain, which are sometimes interpreted as renal colic to fail. In severe Attacks, pain may also be acute and severe stomach (Abdomen). Fever may accompany the symptom picture.

In more severe gradients, it also comes to Nausea and vomiting as well as visible traces of blood in the urine. Also possible is a limitation of the kidney function with reduced urine output (oliguria and anuria). In rare cases, the disease can lead to kidney failure.

Causes

As a cause of ischemic renal infarction, the closure of one or more (usually smaller) renal artery is mainly in question, caused by a blood clot. Often the blood clot (Embolus) comes from the heart and is transported in the renal vessels (renal embolism). But it is also an abdominal injury or atherosclerosis may be the cause for an embolism or a locally incurred closure (thrombosis) in a renal artery.

A hemorrhagic renal infarction, in which a closure in a renal vein, is mostly the result of circulatory shock and right heart failure.

Risk factors

Many of those Affected suffer from a renal infarct is already under cardiovascular disorders. To count the favourable pre-existing conditions, various heart diseases, heart attacks and vascular diseases (vasculitis, atherosclerosis) in this context. Diabetes mellitus (diabetic nephropathy) and high blood pressure can have an impact in addition to other diseases, a negative impact on the kidneys.

Diagnosis

Smaller infarcts remain, as a rule, due to the absence of symptomatology unrecognized. Strong symptoms, however, which point to an acute renal infarction, a quick diagnosis is essential. In this case, the patient should be failure due to the risk for a relatively fast entering kidneys (within two hours) as soon as possible in a hospital with specialist Expertise.

Due to the first signs usually, there is a detailed patient interview (anamnesis), which takes into account in particular relevant pre-existing conditions. During the subsequent physical examination can be tested, whether by a Knock in the kidney region, existing flank pain can be strengthened. The pulse is measured, and the appearances on the skin care on the circulatory disorders close.

Blood and urine samples will be taken and in the laboratory on certain parameters examined. A heart attack is to be detected is typically an increased number of white blood cells (leukocytosis) and an increased amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood. But also a high level of serum creatinine and increased Urea levels in the blood provide an indication for a renal function disorder. In the urine either the smallest amounts of blood (microscopic hematuria) or visible blood in the (macro-hematuria).

By means of a simple ultrasound investigation and Doppler sonography of the renal vessels and the respective blood circulation situation can be made visible. These studies should not be sufficient, it can also be a angiography. Through the use of contrast agents can be evaluated in this radiological investigation of the blood vessels and the corresponding blockages or other pathological changes can be safely diagnosed.

Of particular importance to the exclusion of (renal) diseases with similar symptoms, such as a renal tumor or a kidney infection.

Treatment

In milder cases, a kidney infarct heals by itself and is discovered, under certain circumstances, only in the case of the later studies, as the scarring of the affected area at random. An acute renal infarction is diagnosed, however, speed is of the essence, and first of all, the gift of funds to Anticoagulation (e.g. Heparin), the so-called anti-coagulation. Similarly, the blood pressure regulation is of importance. In the case of a serious vascular blockage may also help a Thrombolysis, the vessel graft to dissolve. Only very rarely is carried out for a surgery (Embolectomy or Thrombectomy).

Conventional symptom is treated-relieving medication with painkillers and antibiotics. The latter is intended to prevent a possible renal abscess due to a bacterial colonization of the dead renal district.

The further therapy depends on the underlying diseases, especially of the cardiovascular system and should include prophylactic measures for the prevention of arterial calcification.

Naturopathic Treatment

Alternative therapies can reach in case of a detected renal infarction due to long-lasting dietary measures in the Affected relief and improved circulation. The diet should be rich in potassium and low-sodium diet with plenty of whole grain products, and vegetables and fruit juices are to be converted. Salt should be avoided whenever possible, and two to three raw food days should be introduced.

Is also recommended a cure by Sebastian Kneipp juniper (Juniperus communis), in the case of the kidney detoxification and blood purification, initially with a daily increasing amount of juniper berries chewed. After some time, the amount is set down again. In addition to the General purifying, blood purifying and circulation enhancing effect of a irritation of the kidney tissue can be done, which is why before each treatment a specialist medical advice should be sought.

As another well-known remedies from the natural healing garlic can be used for the prevention of vascular calcification. (jvs, cs)

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Kidney problems – causes and counter-measures