| Abstract: | Experimental segmental renal artery embolization was performed to evaluate the feasibility of therapeutic segmental renal embolization. In group 1, a two kidney dog model, segmental embolization of the right kidney was performed in ten dogs using Gelfoam, Silastic elastomer and barium sulfate. In group 2, a one kidney dog model, segmental embolization of left kidney was performed using Gelfoam and Silastic elastomer. In the remaining three dogs of group 2, embolization was not done for control. Sequential blood pressure measurements, plasma renin activities and renal arteriograms were obtained. Three dogs in group 2 died following unintentional complete renal embolization. Seventeen of the 18 dogs of the entire study remained normotensive after embolization. One dog had persistent hypertension develop which was controlled by a second, total renal embolization. The results suggest that therapeutic segmental renal embolization is a feasible method for treating segmental renal disease. |
