Abstract: A method for protecting a kidney in a mammalian patient from an insult including the steps of: at least partially occluding at least one renal vein of the patient; elevating a renal vein blood pressure, and reducing the renal vein blood pressure from the elevated blood pressure

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protection of a kidney from damage associated with temporary medullary hypoxia. The treatment is achieved by temporarily and reversibly increasing fluid pressure in the renal pelvis or blood pressure in the renal vein. Increased pressure is maintained at a safe level for the duration of treatment. The steps of the method include: artificially increasing pressure in a urinary tract of at least one kidney of the patient; reducing a renal function of the kidney by maintaining the increased pressure, and reducing the pressure in the urinary tract to increase the renal function above the reduced renal function.