Renal artery embolism: therapy with intra-arterial streptokinase infusion

Two patients with acute renal artery embolism were reported. One patient had a history of rheumatic valvular heart disease and the other patient had hereditary cardiomyopathy. Both patients had atrial fibrillation on physical examination. Both patients presented with acute back pain and one patient had hematuria. The final diagnosis of acute renal artery embolism was made after one to three days of hospitalization and renal angiography was finally done documenting complete occlusion of the main branch of the renal artery on one side. Intra-arterial streptokinase infusion 5,000 unit per hour was given to both patients using an arterial pump for 17 hours to 30 hours with complete recanalization of the intrarenal branches and complete recovery of signs and symptoms of renal artery embolism although the renal scan still showed diminished renal function.