Patients who stop taking medication without consulting a doctor may suffer a renal infarction.

The patient arbitrarily stopped taking anticoagulant medication for 5 days, leading to renal infarction and the risk of necrosis requiring nephrectomy.

The patient (43 years old) experienced severe pain in his lower back and abdomen. Initially, he thought he had a digestive problem, but after about 8 hours, the pain persisted and he developed a fever, so his family took him to the emergency room at the hospital.

Renal infarction is a rare (occurrence of approximately 14/1,000) ischemic event that is difficult to detect, with only 0.007% of cases being clinically diagnosed.

Evaluating the results of the contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, the doctors discovered a thrombus obstructing the renal artery in both the common and distal branches, leading to a reduction in renal blood flow of more than 70%, causing renal infarction.

The patient had a history of atrial fibrillation and was being treated with anticoagulants; however, 5 days prior to the renal infarction, the patient stopped taking the medication on their own, which was the primary cause of the renal infarction.

If left untreated, renal infarction can lead to kidney damage, causing kidney failure, and in the most severe cases, kidney necrosis requiring removal.

The "golden" time for intervention in these cases is within 24 hours, so the patient needs to have the thrombectomy performed immediately.

According to doctors, renal infarction is a rare ischemic event (occurring in approximately 14/1,000) that is difficult to detect, with only 0.007% of cases being clinically diagnosed.

Common symptoms include sudden, flank pain that is quite similar to other more common conditions such as kidney stones and pyelonephritis.

Renal infarction occurs when the main renal artery or its segmental branches are completely or partially blocked, which can eventually lead to renal ischemia.

In the case of the patient mentioned above, when the patient experiences atrial fibrillation, the atria will fibrillate at a frequency exceeding 350 cycles per minute instead of contracting rhythmically.

Abnormal heart contractions restrict blood flow, causing it to back up in the atrium. Without anticoagulant medication, this can lead to the formation of thrombi or blood clots. These thrombi can travel from the heart to the renal artery, causing an embolism.

Cardiologist Nguyen Hoai Vu advises patients with atrial fibrillation to strictly adhere to their prescribed medication and attend regular check-ups to avoid dangerous complications. Besides renal infarction, atrial fibrillation often increases the risk of stroke, cerebral infarction, and peripheral vascular occlusion leading to limb necrosis…

In 2019, atrial fibrillation was estimated to affect 33 million people worldwide . The actual number may be even higher, as many people only discover they have atrial fibrillation when they experience a stroke caused by blood clots and ischemia.

The increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation is linked to the aging population and the rise of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

Renal infarction is a condition in which part or all of the renal parenchyma is acutely deprived of blood due to blockage of the blood vessels supplying the kidney. This is a medical emergency; if not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can lead to kidney failure or irreversible damage. This condition is often caused by factors such as thrombosis, embolism, or vascular trauma.

Individuals at high risk of renal infarction include those with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, or a history of cardiovascular disease.

Symptoms of renal infarction can be nonspecific and easily confused with other conditions. However, common signs include sudden pain in the flank or lower back, usually occurring on only one side, which may radiate to the abdomen or thigh.

Mild or high fever if there is accompanying inflammation. Nausea and vomiting. Hematuria or decreased urine output. Sudden increase in blood pressure. If left undetected and untreated, renal infarction can lead to acute kidney failure, infection, or other serious complications.

To prevent renal infarction, it is important to carefully control risk factors, including maintaining stable blood pressure. Effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases, especially atrial fibrillation, is also crucial.

Avoid smoking and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of atherosclerosis. Follow your doctor's instructions when using anticoagulant medications.

Renal infarction is a serious condition but can be effectively managed if detected early and treated promptly. Raising awareness of symptoms and risk factors, along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing underlying conditions, plays a crucial role in preventing and protecting kidney health.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tu-y-dung-thuoc-nguoi-benh-bi-nhoi-mau-than-d230933.html