Our body is wired in such a way that a problem in the circulatory system can affect kidney function. This is the case of atheroembolic kidney disease, which often has its origin in a complication of surgery or intervention in the atherosclerotic aorta or other major arteries. An angioplasty, an arteriography or a catheterization can cause the accidental rupture of the fatty material adhered to the walls of the blood vessels and its movement through the blood converted into small emboli. This condition is directly related to atherosclerosis.
The accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances on the walls that line the arteries forms a solid compound called plaque that can spread into tiny fragments that circulate through the bloodstream. As they reach the smallest vessels, the arterioles, the crystals become stuck and reduce blood flow to the organs and tissues. This ends up causing swelling, tissue damage and kidney failure due to the inability of the excretory system to filter metabolic waste from the blood.
The symptoms of atheroembolic kidney disease will appear as the duration and severity of kidney failure worsens. That is, it may happen that it is asymptomatic and the symptoms appear suddenly or slowly worsen over the weeks or months. The symptoms reflect muscular, nervous or cardiac disorders and some of the most common are:
To make the diagnosis, a blood and urine test or, where appropriate, a kidney biopsy is necessary. A tissue sample examined under a microscope may show evidence of fatty material in the arterioles.
There is actually no specific treatment for atheroembolic kidney disease; rather, guidelines focus on managing complications from organ damage and keeping the patient in the best possible condition. The nephrology specialist may prescribe medication to treat high blood pressure or reduce cholesterol levels. Dialysis may also be necessary during episodes of kidney failure.
Some factors that contribute to increasing the risk of suffering from this disease are being overweight, smoking or high cholesterol. The best way to prevent atheroembolic kidney disease is to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a diet low in sugars and saturated fats to reduce glucose levels and blood lipids.
