Experimental renal infarcts: angiographic and histologic studies.

The renal arteries in three groups of four dogs were occluded to induce renal infarcts using Gelfoam, Gelfoam and steel coil, and barium suspension. Each agent was evaluated for its effect on renal renin output, arteriographic appearance, and the extent of renal infarct produced. Gelfoam embolization produced incomplete infarcts with hypertrophy of remaining viable tissue. Renal infarcts were more extensive with the combination of Gelfoam and coil than with Gelfoam alone. Barium embolization produced the most diffuse and extensive renal infarct. Renal vein plasma renin levels from the embolized kidney were significantly elevated in the Gelfoam-plus-coil dogs, but arterial pressures were significantly higher in only two of four of these dogs 10 weeks after embolization.