Amplatzer vascular plug in renal artery embolization: case report and review of the literature

Background: Arterial embolization constitutes a safe and effective therapeutic possibility in the treatment of numerous renal pathologies in election and in urgency. Over the years, numerous embolizing materials have been proposed: fibrin (temporary occlusion), glues, coils, and microspheres. The use of St. Jude Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) constitutes a more recent and less widespread therapeutic choice, and its use in the renal district is not yet widespread although potentially very valid. Case presentation: We present 3 renal arterial embolizations performed with AVP performed between January 2019 and February 2020: two patients had a very bulky renal heteroplastic lesion and were candidates for nephrectomy, and a third patient instead was affected by a high-flow FAV post-biopsy. In our experience, the use of AVP for the treatment of renal arteriovenous fistula and neoplastic masses has given excellent results without any complications during and after the treatment. In all cases, a single plug was used which perfectly adapted to the target artery resulting in complete occlusion of the vessel in a short time. Conclusion: Renal artery embolization performed with AVP has growing potential and numerous advantages in terms of the time of the procedure, speed of embolization, and precision of occlusion, but with a relative increase in costs.