Renal paradoxical embolism in a hypertensive young adult without acute ischemic symptoms

Clin Exp Nephrol. 2011 Aug;15(4):582-5. doi: 10.1007/s10157-011-0436-y. Epub 2011 Mar 24.

Abstract

A 22-year-old woman, who often carried heavy books, was admitted for evaluation of hyperreninemic hypertension. Two months prior to admission, she noted leg edema. Radiological examinations revealed bilateral renal infarction with no other abnormal findings. An echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Hypertension was considered secondary to renal infarction caused by paradoxical embolism through PFO. Antihypertensive and anticoagulant therapy led to improvement of hypertension. In previously reported cases of renal paradoxical embolism, multiorgan involvement was usually observed. Our case is unique in that embolism was confirmed only in the kidneys, and that clinical characteristics of renal embolism were not observed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / complications*
  • Female
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Infarction / complications
  • Infarction / etiology*
  • Kidney / blood supply*
  • Renin / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Renin