Renal Artery Embolism

Immediate care is warranted when a sudden, intense pain appears in one side of the abdomen or the back, since a renal artery embolism can present this way when blood flow to a kidney is interrupted.

What it is: It occurs when a clot or other material travels through the blood and blocks an artery that supplies the kidney, reducing the delivery of oxygen to that organ.

Possible manifestations:

• Sudden pain in the flank or the abdomen.
• Nausea or general malaise.
• Changes in the urine in some cases.

Which specialist treats it? The vascular medicine specialist and the vascular surgeon are the professionals who study the blood vessels and this type of blockage. In the face of intense abdominal or low back pain of abrupt onset, the prudent step is to seek medical evaluation without delay.