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arrow_back Conditions & Treatments

Left Renal Vein Compression (Nutcracker Syndrome)

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menu Left Renal Vein Compression (Nutcracker Syndrome)
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Compression of the vein that carries blood filtered by the left kidney

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Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our heart or vascular specialists.

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Left renal vein compression or nutcracker syndrome occurs when the left renal vein is squeezed or compressed by surrounding arteries of the body. This can cause renal venous hypertension (high blood pressure in the kidney veins) and veins to rupture.

The most common type of nutcracker syndrome is anterior compression, in which the left renal vein is pinched between the abdominal aorta and another artery. Compression between the abdominal aorta and the spine is called posterior nutcracker syndrome.

Although some people may not experience any symptoms, they often are more severe when you are active. Symptoms may include:

  • Blood or protein in the urine
  • Enlarged ovarian veins (women) or scrotal veins (men)
  • Lightheadedness when standing
  • Palpitations, the sensation that the heart rate is skipping, slowing down or racing
  • Pain in the pelvic area, upper abdomen, back or sides

Tests

Diagnosing left renal vein compression is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.

Arterial Duplex Ultrasound for Arms and Legs

Arterial duplex ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries of your arms and legs.

Treatments

Although left renal vein compression may resolve on its own, some cases will require treatment to avoid complications such as anemia, blood clots or kidney damage. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and implement an individualized treatment plan.

Renal Artery Stenting

Renal artery stenting is used to open blocked or narrowed arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.

Physicians

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21 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Smyth Bldg Ste 303 Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-3431
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Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
(469)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Vascular Surgery
(316)
25500 Point Lookout Road Floor 2 Leonardtown, MD 20650
(240) 434-4072
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Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
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Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
(268)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Vascular Surgery
18101 Prince Philip Drive Olney, MD 20832
(301) 774-8962
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Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
(193)
7501 Surratts Road 208 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-7353
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Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Vascular Surgery
(237)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
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Dr. John Harvey, MD
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Vascular Surgery
(267)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
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Dr. Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Dr. Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
110 Irving Street Northwest POB N3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-3100
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Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Vascular Surgery
(239)
106 Irving Street Northwest Physician Office Building North Tower, Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
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Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Vascular Surgery
(182)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
(410) 554-2950
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Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Vascular Surgery
(278)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3600 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Vascular Surgery
(364)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest 4th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Vascular Surgery
(282)
9101 Franklin Square Drive Outpatient Center, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21237
(443)-777-1900
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Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Vascular Surgery
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
410-571-8430
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Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
1630 Main Street Suite 208 Chester, MD 21619
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
110 Irving Street Northwest Center for Vascular Care Washington, DC 20010
202-416-2000
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Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
9000 Franklin Square Drive Baltimore, MD 21237
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Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Vascular Surgery
(179)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2950
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