Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) occurs when small particles made of hardened cholesterol and fat spread to the small blood vessels of the kidneys.
Renal disease - atheroembolic; Cholesterol embolization syndrome; Atheroemboli - renal; Atherosclerotic disease - renal
AERD is linked to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a common disorder of the arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form a hard substance called plaque.
In AERD, cholesterol crystals break off from the plaque lining the arteries. These crystals move into the bloodstream. Once in circulation, the crystals get stuck in tiny blood vessels called arterioles. There, they reduce blood flow to tissues and cause swelling (inflammation) and tissue damage that can harm the kidneys or other parts of the body. Acute arterial occlusion occurs when the artery that supplies blood to the kidney suddenly becomes blocked.
The kidneys are involved about half of the time. Other body parts that may be involved include the skin, eyes, muscles and bones, brain and nerves, and organs in the abdomen. Acute kidney failure is possible if the blockages of the kidney blood vessels are severe.
Atherosclerosis of the aorta is the most common cause of AERD. The cholesterol crystals may also break off during aortic angiography, cardiac catheterization, or surgery of the aorta or other major arteries.
In some cases, AERD may occur without a known cause.
The risk factors for AERD are the same as risk factors for atherosclerosis, including age, male sex, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Francesco Scolari practices in Pavia, Italy. Scolari is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Atheroembolic Renal Disease. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Atheroembolic Renal Disease, Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Kidney Transplant.
Antonio Granata practices in Catania, Italy. Granata is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Atheroembolic Renal Disease. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Atheroembolic Renal Disease, Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS), Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Transplant, and Bone Graft.
Nadia Dallera practices in Brescia, Italy. Dallera is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Atheroembolic Renal Disease. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Atheroembolic Renal Disease, Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Familial HDL Deficiency.
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Published Date: October 26, 2020
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Greco BA, Umanath K. Remonvascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 41.
Shepherd RJ. Atheroembolism. In: Creager MA, Beckman JA, Loscalzo J, eds. Vascular Medicine: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 45.
Textor SC. Renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 47.