Isolated metachronous renal artery emboli

We have reported on a patient with isolated metachronous renal artery emboli. The second embolus was treated successfully surgically 12 hours after the onset of symptoms. A review of the literature shows that emboli to the renal arteries occur more frequently than realized and that late embolectomy often is successful. A clinical triad of flank pain, atrial fibrillation, and nonfunctioning of the involved kidney has been discussed.