Renal vein thrombosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Renal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.

T Causes
P Renal vein thrombosis is an uncommon disorder. It may be caused by:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Hypercoaguable state: clotting disorders
- Dehydration (mostly in infants)
- Estrogen use
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Scar formation with pressure on the renal vein
- Trauma (to the back or abdomen)
- Tumor
P In adults, the most common cause is nephrotic syndrome. In infants, the most common cause is dehydration.

T Symptoms
P Symptoms may include:
- Blood clot to the lung
- Bloody urine
- Decreased urine output
- Flank pain or low back pain

T Exams and Tests
P An exam may not reveal the specific problem. However, it may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.
P Tests include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal MRI
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Duplex Doppler exam of the renal veins
- Urinalysis may show protein in the urine or red blood cells in the urine
- X-ray of the kidney veins (venography)

T Treatment
P The treatment helps to prevent the formation of new clots and reduces the risk of clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).
P You may get medicines that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants). You may be told to rest in bed or cut down on activity for a short time.
P If sudden kidney failure develops, you may need dialysis for a short period.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Renal vein thrombosis most often gets better over time without lasting damage to the kidneys.

T Possible Complications
P Complications may include:
- Acute renal failure (especially if thrombosis occurs in a dehydrated child)
- End stage renal disease
- Blood clot moves to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Formation of new blood clots

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.
P If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your provider if you have:
- Decrease in urine output
- Breathing problems
- Other new symptoms

T Prevention
P In most cases, there is no specific way to prevent renal vein thrombosis. Keeping enough fluids in the body may help reduce risk.
P Aspirin is sometimes used to prevent renal vein thrombosis in people who have had a kidney transplant. Blood thinners such as warfarin may be recommended for some people with chronic kidney disease.

T Alternative Names
P Blood clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein

T Images
- Kidney anatomy
- Kidney - blood and urine flow

T References
P Dubose TD, Santos RM. Vascular disorders of the kidney In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 125.
P Ruggenenti P, Cravedi P, Remuzzi G. Microvascular and macrovascular diseases of the kidney. In: Skorecki K, Chertow GM, Marsden PA, Taal MW, Yu ASL, et al, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 35.

T Review Date 4/14/2017
P Updated by: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

