Renal artery aneurysm rupture in pregnancy.

Acute rupture of a renal artery aneurysm is more likely to occur during pregnancy and when it does there is an associated high mortality for the mother and child. Increased blood flow and intra-abdominal pressure, and vascular changes secondary to increased steroid production are postulated as contributory to the increased risk of rupture during pregnancy. When a renal artery aneurysm is discovered in a woman of childbearing age surgical treatment, preferably primary repair, is indicated to prevent subsequent rupture during pregnancy. We report on a mother and child who survived acute rupture of a renal artery aneurysm following treatment by primary repair.