Thrombolytic therapy for renal artery occlusions: a preliminary report

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and renal artery revascularization have been successful in controlling blood pressure and preserving renal function in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. In addition, thrombolysis appears promising for treatment of patients with total occlusion of renal artery bypass grafts. More experience will be necessary to define its role in native renal artery occlusions. The authors describe successful thrombolysis in two of three patients given thrombolytic therapy for total occlusion of renal arteries.