The kidneys are very sensitive to the amount of blood that flows through them. Any reduction of blood flow through the renal artery can impair kidney function. If prolonged, a complete blockage of blood flow to the kidney often results in permanent failure of the kidney.

Lack of functioning of one kidney may not cause symptoms because the second kidney adequately filters the blood. Hypertension may develop, however. If there is not a second functional kidney, blockage of the renal artery may cause symptoms of acute kidney failure.

Acute arterial occlusion of the kidney may occur after injury or trauma to the abdomen, side, or occasionally the back. Emboli (blood clots that travel through the blood stream) may lodge in the renal artery.

The risk of emboli increases if there is a history of certain heart disorders such as mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation. Individuals with hypercoagulable disorders may be particularly vulnerable to acute renal artery occlusions.

Occasionally, renal artery stenosis or atheroembolic renal disease (the effects of atherosclerosis on the kidney) may predispose individuals to a sudden thrombosis (clot) of the renal artery.