Treatment
The treatment is focused on preventing new clot formations and reducing the risk of the clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).
You may get medications that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) to stop new clots from forming. Your doctor may recommend bedrest or limited activity for a brief period.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Renal vein thrombosis usually gets better over time without permanently injuring the kidneys.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.
If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your health care provider if you develop decreased urine output, difficulty breathing, or other new symptoms.
Prevention
There is no specific prevention for renal vein thrombosis in most people. Keeping enough fluids in the body to avoid dehydration may help reduce its risk.
In people who have had a kidney transplant, aspirin is sometimes used to prevent renal vein thrombosis. In people with certain chronic kidney diseases, blood thinners such as warfarin may be recommended.
Alternative Names
Clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein
References
DuBose TD Jr, Santos RM. Vascular disorders of the kidney. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine
. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 126.
Kanso AA, Hassan NMA, Badr KF. Microvascular and macrovascular diseases of the kidney. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney
. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 32.
Update Date: 6/8/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Herbert Y Lin, MD, PhD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
