AKI 2 Flashcards
What are some of the drugs which can cause problems with the kidneys ?
- ACEi
- NSAIDS
- Gentamicin
- Trimethoprim
- Co-triamoxazole
What are the life-threatening complications of AKI ?
- Hyperkalaemia
- Fluid Overload (Pulmonary oedema)
- Severe Acidosis (pH < 7.15)
- Uraemic pericardial effusion
- Severe Uraemia (Ur >40)
What is the general mechanism causing post-renal AKI ?
AKI due to obstruction of urine flow leading to back pressure (hydronephrosis) and thus loss of concentrating ability
What are the causes of post-renal AKI ?
- Stones,
- Cancers,
- Strictures,
- Extrinsic Pressure
What is the appearance of the kidneys due to obstruction causing back pressure ?
Dilated renal pelvis - seen on US and CT
What is the treatment for post-renal AKI ?
Relieve obstruction:
- Catheter
- Nephrostomy - a tube that’s used to drain urine from a kidney into a bag outside the body
Refer to urology if ureteric stenting required
What is the worst complication of AKI that you need to watch out for ?
Hyperkalaemia
What are the signs of hyperkalaemia ?
Muscle weakness and tingling, cardiac arrhythmias
What are the K+ values of hyperkalaemia ?
- Hyperkalaemia = >5.5
- Life threatening hyperkalaemia = >6.5
What are the characteristic ECG changes seen in a patient with hyperkalaemia ?
- Peaked T waves (tall-tented)
- P waves become flattened
What is the initial treatment of hyperkalaemia ?
- Initially give calcium gluconate - to protect the myocardium
- Give insulin + dextrose (glucose) + nebulised salbutamol - to move K+ back into the cells
After doing the initial treatment of hyperkalaemia what would you do ?
Put the patient on dialysis
What are the indications for emergency dialysis ?
Hyperkalaemia:
- >7
- >6.5 unresponsive to medical therapy
Severe Acidosis - pH < 7.15
Fluid overload
Urea >40 or uraemic pericardial rub/effusion or encephalopathy
- A. Rhabdomyolosis
- B. Goodpasture’s Syndrome
- C. Acute Tubular Necrosis
- D. Obstructive Uropathy
- E. Wegener’s Granulomatosis
- 40 year old male presenting with general malaise & haemoptysis (Urea 28, Creatinine 600, elevated ant-GBM)
- 25 year old IVDA found collapsed at home
- 82 year old man admitted with BP 70 30, T 39, pulse 140bpm, K+ 7.0, urea 48, Cr 789, CRP 250, CXR left basal consolidation
- 72 year old man presenting with difficulty passing urine and reduced urine output
- B
- A – IVDU are at increased risk of rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome
- C
- D
Which of the following drugs do not cause hyperkalaemia?
- A. Spirolonolactone
- B. Ramipril
- C. Amiloride
- D. Furosemide
- E. Atenolol
- D