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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 2, 2021
Renal artery thrombosis as a long-term complication of COVID-19
Naser Gjonbalaj1,2,3, Safet Uka1, Elmi Olluri4,5
1Radiology Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina 10000, Republic of Kosovo, XK.
Insights
This study reports a rare long-term complication of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): left renal artery thrombosis. Interventional radiology successfully restored blood flow to the affected kidney.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is linked to various thrombotic events, affecting both small and large blood vessels.
- While pulmonary embolism and stroke are common, renal artery thrombosis is a less frequent but severe complication.
Observation:
- A case of left renal artery thrombosis is presented as a long-term sequela of COVID-19 infection.
- The patient experienced acute kidney injury and renal infarction due to the blocked artery.
Findings:
- Interventional radiology techniques were employed to treat the left renal artery thrombosis.
- Successful revascularization of the kidney was achieved, preserving its function.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for delayed vascular complications following COVID-19.
- Interventional radiology offers an effective treatment option for renal artery thrombosis in the context of COVID-19 recovery.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been extensively associated with microvascular and macrovascular thrombosis. Several reports have demonstrated a link between COVID-19 and pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, and aortic thrombosis. Renal artery thrombosis is of special interest because of its life-threatening consequences, such as acute kidney injury and renal infarction. We present a case of left renal artery thrombosis as a long-term complication of COVID-19. Moreover, we demonstrate the effectiveness of interventional radiology to regain vascularization of the affected kidney.
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