Transarterial embolization for renal arterial bleeding

To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous transarterial embolization for the treatment of renal arterial bleeding in patients with renovascular injury.

The archives of our angiography suite were retrospectively reviewed, and 15 patients who had undergone renal embolization due to renal artery bleeding were included in the study. The site, number, and type of bleeding lesions, and the result of the embolization procedure were recorded. The technical and medical success, and technical and medical complications of the procedure were noted.

On renal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) 18 lesions were detected in 15 patients. In 13 cases bleeding was effectively controlled with embolization in a single session. In one case bleeding was controlled on the second attempt. One case underwent nephrectomy. Nontarget embolization was seen in two patients, one treated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the other with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) mixture. Iatrogenic dissection of the segmental branch was seen in one patient. Puncture-site bleeding, postembolization syndrome, perirenal abscess or renal abscess, and arterial hypertension were not detected in any of the patients.

Percutaneous transarterial embolization is an effective, minimally invasive, and a tissue preserving treatment method for renovascular injuries. Therefore, endovascular embolization should be the first preferred treatment modality.