Successful percutaneous balloon catheter treatment of renal artery occlusion and anuria.

Progressive renal failure may be due to renal artery stenosis and occlusion. Gradual occlusion of the renal arteries may allow the development of collateral arterial supply sufficient to avoid dialysis. Even when dialysis is required, significant viable renal parenchyma may still be present to allow escape from dialysis following revascularization of one or both kidneys. The chance of success in such cases is thought to be better if the patient still produces a significant amount of urine. We report here a patient who was completely anuric for five days and in whom excellent renal function returned after balloon angioplasty of one of two occluded renal arteries.