RENAL ARTERY EMBOLISATION FOR RENAL BLEED (BLOOD IN URINE)
What is renal artery embolisation:
- Renal artery embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure for treatment of renal bleed (blood in urine).
- It involves blockage of leaky vessel to prevent life threatening haemorrhage through small pinhole (less than 2 mm).
What are the reasons for renal bleed:
Common reasons of renal bleed are:
- Pseudo aneurysm
- Vascular malformation
- Iatrogenic injury
- Tumors (Renal cell carcinoma, Angiomyolipoma)
- Trauma
Why it is necessary:
- It is necessary for prevention of excessive blood loss through urine and thus life saving procedure.
How it is done:
- The interventional radiologist will insert a catheter (tube) into a blood vessel in groin and will guide the catheter under image guidance to the renal artery.
- Superselective catheterization of renal artery branches involves the use of microcatheters either via coaxial or guidewire-controlled techniques.
- Embolization of affected vessel done with alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles, microspheres, and/or Gelfoam until there is contrast stasis in the targeted kidney. Detachable coils are also routinely used for embolisation.
- Depending on the indication and the character of the disease, different embolic materials and catheters should be used to optimize outcomes.
What are the benefits:
- Renal artery embolization is considered a safe and effective procedure with a very low complication rate.
- Very short hospital stay and no stitches as procedure involve very small pinhole.
Preparation for procedure:
- Few basic blood investigations like CBC, PT/INR, viral markers.
- Fasting for 4-6 hrs.
- Bring all the records including imaging record.
- Signing consent form.
What are risk:
- Very rare; Bleeding, stent thrombosis and renal infarction.
