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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 2, 2021
Atheroembolic renal disease with rapid progression and fatal outcome
Bernardo Faria1, Joana Vidinha, Cátia Pêgo
1Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Hospital São Teotónio-Viseu, Av Rei Dom Duarte, 3504 509 Viseu, Portugal. faria_bernardo@yahoo.com
Insights
Atheroembolic renal disease, caused by cholesterol crystals, is often underdiagnosed and has a poor prognosis. This case highlights a multisystemic presentation resistant to treatment, emphasizing the need for better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) results from cholesterol emboli lodging in renal microvasculature.
- It is frequently associated with vascular procedures and anticoagulation, often presenting with poor prognosis.
- Steroid therapy and aggressive prevention of embolic events may improve survival.
Observation:
- A patient developed multisystemic AERD following percutaneous coronary intervention and anticoagulation for myocardial infarction.
- Manifestations included renal, cutaneous, ophthalmic, neurological, and potential muscular and mesenteric involvement.
- Despite corticosteroids and anticoagulation cessation, the patient rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease.
Findings:
- The case demonstrated a catastrophic and treatment-resistant progression of Atheroembolic renal disease.
- Multisystemic involvement complicated the clinical presentation and management.
- Rapid decline to end-stage renal disease and mortality occurred within six months.
Implications:
- There is a critical need for improved diagnostic protocols for Atheroembolic renal disease.
- Development of more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies is essential.
- Further research into managing this aggressive condition is warranted.
Abstract:
Atheroembolic renal disease is caused by foreign-body reaction to cholesterol crystals flushed from the atherosclerotic plaques into the small-vessel system of the kidneys. It is an underdiagnosed entity, mostly related to vascular procedures and/or anticoagulation, and prognosis is considered to be poor. Besides the benefit of aggressive medical prevention of further embolic events, use of steroid therapy has been associated with greater survival. Here we report a case of a patient with a multisystemic presentation of the disease days after performance of percutaneous coronary intervention and anticoagulation initiation due to an episode of myocardial infarction. Renal, cutaneous, ophthalmic, neurological, and possibly muscular and mesenteric involvement was diagnosed. Although medical treatment with corticosteroids and avoidance of further anticoagulation was applied, the patient rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis and died 6 months after diagnosis. This is a case of catastrophic progression of the disease resistant to therapeutic measures. Focus on diagnosis and more efficient preventive and therapeutic protocols are therefore needed.
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Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
