Understanding Kidney Health: Exploring the Causes of Blood Clots in Kidneys

Blood clots (renal vein thrombosis) in the kidneys can cause irreparable damage, even leading to kidney failure, as well as be life-threatening if part of it breaks off and travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Blood clots in the kidneys are more likely to form for people who have been hospitalized for extended periods, have cancer or another illness limiting activity, smoke cigarettes or take hormone therapy drugs or certain prescription medicines.

What Causes Blood Clots in Kidneys?

Blood clots in the kidneys, also termed renal vein thrombosis, can arise from diverse factors. Common causes encompass:

1. Nephrotic Syndrome: The leading cause in adults, characterized by significant protein loss in urine, elevating clot formation risk.
2. Dehydration: Particularly in infants, dehydration stands as a prevalent trigger for renal vein thrombosis.
3. Hypercoagulable State: Specific clotting disorders heighten susceptibility to kidney blood clots.
4. Estrogen Usage: Employing estrogen, seen in hormone replacement therapy or birth control, amplifies clotting danger.
5. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: An aneurysm in the abdominal aorta can compress the renal vein, prompting clot development.
6. Trauma or Injury: Back or abdominal injuries can disrupt blood flow, escalating kidney clot risk.
7. Tumors: Kidney-impacting tumors contribute to clot formation likelihood.

Importantly, renal vein thrombosis remains an uncommon condition, with causes varying between cases. Treatment might entail clot-dissolving medication, anticoagulants to prevent new clots, and addressing the underlying trigger for the clot.

Symptoms

Blood clots that form inside healthy blood vessels often resolve themselves or can be treated with medication. Clots that remain stubborn, however, can restrict blood flow to the kidneys and lead to serious complications – symptoms may include pain in the back behind lower ribs and hips as well as fever, vomiting and decreased urine output or blood in the urine. Clots originating in renal veins tend to develop only in adults and can appear suddenly.

Clots in renal veins can stop oxygen-depleted blood from the kidneys from traveling back to the heart, creating renal vein thrombosis. Clots may break off and travel through your bloodstream to the lungs, where they block blood flow and cause life-threatening conditions called pulmonary embolism.

Other complications associated with renal vein clots may include weakness, difficulty breathing and an uncomfortable heavy sensation in your chest.

Clots can form more frequently among individuals who remain stationary for long periods, such as after an operation or while bedridden, or those suffering from diseases or conditions that increase their susceptibility to developing blood clots – including cancer, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or kidney conditions such as glomerulonephritis.

Diagnosis

Blood clots are irregular clumps of tissue formed when blood vessels become damaged and injured, through coagulation.

Coagulation helps stop bleeding and aid the healing process after injury; once bleeding has stopped and wound has closed up, most clots dissolve; however sometimes they break apart and travel throughout your system, blocking blood flow and possibly leading to serious health complications – these clots are known as Venous Thromboembolism, or VTE.

Certain cancer treatments, like surgery and chemotherapy, increase your risk for blood clots. Also, genetic defects, such as factor V Leiden syndrome and prothrombin gene mutation G20210A increase this risk.

Your doctor can detect kidney blood clots using ultrasound imaging of your abdomen. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of renal veins and their blood flow patterns.

He or she may also administer an imaging test called venography that involves injecting dye into veins to assess whether any kidney veins have become blocked by blockages of blood flow.

Treatment

Blood clots that form or travel to the kidneys can pose serious threats. A DVT may break off and travel through your bloodstream into your lungs, blocking part or all of their blood flow (pulmonary embolism).

Clot-busting medication such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and streptokinase enzymes may be administered to help dissolve any clots that have formed in your renal vein, potentially decreasing your risk of pulmonary embolism and increasing survival chances. Infusions will be carefully timed according to an established protocol.

Doctors can typically help prevent blood clots by prescribing medications to thin your blood, such as warfarin (war-fon) or heparin. You may also need special pills or catheters that administer medicines directly into your system so as to maintain normal circulation of your bloodstream.

People at greater risk for blood clots include those who have recently undergone surgery, those confined to bed or chair for an extended period, those living with cancer, liver disease or obesity and others who are susceptible.

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Renal Vein Thrombosis

Risk factors for renal vein thrombosis:

1. Nephrotic syndrome is the main cause in adults, linked to higher clot risk.
2. Certain clotting disorders heighten kidney clotting risk.
3. Kidney tumors may lead to clot development.
4. Pressure on the renal vein, e.g., from an aortic aneurysm, triggers clots.
5. Back or abdomen injuries disrupt flow, upping kidney clot risk.
6. Estrogen use (hormones, birth control) elevates clot risk.
7. Infant dehydration commonly causes renal vein thrombosis.
8. Neonatal sepsis raises renal clot risk.
9. More red blood cells (polycythemia) ups blood thickness and clot risk.
10. Maternal diabetes in pregnancy heightens neonatal renal clot risk.

Renal vein thrombosis is rare, and risk factors can differ by case.

How Is Renal Vein Thrombosis Treated in Infants

Infants with renal vein clots often receive anticoagulant medicine. This prevents new clots and dissolves existing ones. Sometimes, instead of anticoagulants, doctors choose supportive care with scans. This is especially for neonates with CSVT and severe bleeding.

The treatment plan changes based on severity and the cause of the clot. Consulting a healthcare provider is crucial to find the best treatment for each case.