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The author reports a case of renal failure due to atheroembolism precipitated by translumbar aortography. When the abdominal aorta contains atheromatous plaques, there is great danger of producing showers of atheroemboli by this procedure.Renal failure due to emboli ansmg from eroded aortic ulcerations and atherosclerotic plaques has been reported under three major clinical categories: 1) after abdominal aortic surgery for ruptured aneurysm or severe aorto-iliac disease, 2) after selective renal arteriography performed by passing a catheter retrograde via the femoral artery, and 3) after spontaneous transmission of atheroemboli from remote sites (1-17). ,.This report concerns an elderly male in whom renal failure developed after translumbar aortography; atheroemboli were found in the kidneys. The case seems noteworthy as demonstrating another cause of renal failure from atheroemboli. CASE REPORTA 63-year-old white male was admitted to MacNeal Memorial Hospital because of progressive intermittent claudication, pain at rest in the lower extremities, and discoloration of the toes. Except for a cholecystectomy, he had been in good general health until he had a myocardial infarction six months before admission. There was no history of diabetes or peripheral arterial embolic phenomena. Three months before admission, he began to complain of pain in both lower extremities. The pain was aggravated by exercise but also was present at rest. The patient noticed that the tips of his toes had become dark and discolored.The physical examination revealed a normal-appearing white male in no acute distress, who looked somewhat older than his stated age of 63. The blood pressure was 150/70 mm Hg in both upper extremities and no carotid bruits were heard. The heart sounds were normal; there were no murmurs and the rhythm was regular. The lungs were clear to percussion and auscultation. The abdomen was not distended and no organomegaly or abdominal masses could be palpated. A surgical scar was noted over the right upper quadrant. Pulsation could be felt in the abdominal aorta but no bruits were audible and there was no dilatation.Tn the lower extremities all distal pulses were present and of normal character.

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