Lectures 11-12 & 15-16 - Renal Pathophysiology I-IV Flashcards
6 renal functions?
- Maintain water balance
- Regulate the quantity and concentration of the ECF ions
- Maintain plasma volume
- Acid-base balance
- Excrete waste products
- Secretion of renin, erythropoietin etc.
3 cell types of the glomerulus? How does each act as a filtration barrier?
- Podocytes => epithelial cells with foot processes that interdigitate to form filtration slits to block molecules from being filtrated based on size
- Mesangial cells => smooth muscle cells (do not usually contract) that lay down the glomerular basement membrane, which is negatively charged and repulses negatively charged molecules (i.e. cells and proteins)
- Endothelial cells => fenestrations between these cells to let molecules through based on size
What is found in the renal cortex?
- Glomeruli
- Proximal and distal tubules
- Loops of Henle
What is found in the renal medulla?
- Loops of Henle
2. Collecting ducts
Which is more homogenous: cortex or medulla?
Medulla
Normal GFR?
100-125 mL/min
Major determinants of GFR? Most important?
- Oncotic pressure
- ***Glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure
- Kf = measure of surface area
What can decrease GFR?
Age (75-100 mL/min) and pathology
How does renal autoregulation work? Purpose?
- Myogenic mechanisms
- Tubulo-glomerular feedback via the juxtaglomerular apparatus
Purpose: to maintain constant blood flow through the glomerulus independent of systemic blood pressure
How does tubuloglomerular feedback work?
Flow in the distal tubule in between the afferent and efferent arterioles of the glomerulus is sensed by macula densa cells of the distal tubule => low flow stimulates renin release by juxtaglomerular cells into the afferent arteriole
Other than the macula densa cells, what other 2 factors stimulate the juxtaglomerular cells to secrete renin?
- Sympathetic innervation on beta-adrenergic receptors
2. Decreased pressure on baroreceptors in afferent arteriole
What are the 5 mechanisms by which Angiotensin II increases BP?
- Stimulates sympathetic activity
- Stimulates tubular NaCl reabsorption, K+ excretion, and H2O retention
- Stimulates aldosterone secretion by the adrenals => #2
- Stimulates arteriolar vasoconstriction
- Stimulates pituitary gland to secrete ADH => H2O absorption in the collecting duct
What % of kidney failure is caused by diabetes?
45%
Second leading cause of kidney failure?
HT
Ranking of kidney disease as a leading cause of death in the US?
9
How has the incidence of end stage renal disease changed over the years? Why?
Significant increase => following the incidence of DM and HT
% of DM patients with kidney issues?
30%
What causes marked geographic variations in adjusted prevalent rates of kidney disease?
Race and DM
Which races are more prone to end stage renal failure?
- Blacks
- Native Americans
- Asians
- Whites
Definition of acute renal failure (ARF)?
Sudden decrease in GFR, resulting in:
- Increase in the plasma concentration of metabolic waste products (azotemia and creatinine) normally excreted by the kidneys
- Reduced production of urine => oliguria or anuria
- Retention of water, H+, and minerals => metabolic acidosis and HT
What are the causes of ARF? Treatment?
Causes of ARF are varied and treatment depends on identifying the mechanism involved
When does ARF usually evolve?
Almost always in the hospital in 1-25% of critically ill patients
Mortality rate of ARF patients?
28-90%
3 types of ARF? What to note?
- Pre-renal: decreased renal perfusion
- Post-renal: obstruction to urine flow
- Parenchymal renal disease
NOTE: not mutually exclusive, all three of them may be present at the same time => important, even if it seems obvious why the renal function is falling, to look for evidence of all three
Other name for parenchymal ARF?
Intrarenal ARF
What can cause pre-renal ARF?
- Hypotension
- Volume depletion: fluid loss, bleeding, etc.
- Primary cardiac pump failure
- Decreased systemic vascular resistance (e.g. sepsis)
How to treat pre-renal ARF?
Improve renal perfusion via volume replacement or dialysis
Pathogenesis of pre-renal ARF? BUN and creatinine levels?
Decreased BP => decreased GFR => Ang II + ADH + aldosterone + SNS activation via baroreceptors => Na+ and water retention + arteriolar vasoconstriction => oliguria
Reduced blood flow causes elevated creatinine and BUN. Additionaly, BUN reabsorption is increased because of the lower flow; BUN is disproportionately elevated relative to creatinine => BUN/Cr > 20/1
Causes of post-renal ARF?
- Kidney stones
2. Cancers of the urinary tract or nearby organs (e.g. prostate)
Is pre-renal ARF reversible?
YUP
10 common causes of intra-renal ARF?
- Acute tubular necrosis
- Cortical necrosis
- Acute glomerulonephritis
- Malignant hypertension
- DIC
- Renal vasculitis
- Allograft rejection
- Drug allergy
- Infection
- Tumor
What 4 renal structures can be affected by intrinsic ARF aka intra-renal ARF?
- Glomerulus
- Vessels
- Interstitium
- Tubules
Explain the pathophysiology of postrenal ARF.
Tubular obstruction => insult (ischemia) causes sloughing of cells and cast formation => retrograde increase in pressure and reduction of GFR => backward flow of filtrate
What are the 3 phases of post-renal ARF? Describe each.
- Early phase: reflex adaptation to maintain GFR despite rising tubular hydrostatic pressure via afferent arteriolar dilitation to enhance glomerular perfusion (only 12 – 24 hours)
- Late phase: after 12 –24 hours, the afferent vasodilatation ceases => progressive fall in renal perfusion: glomerular blood flow and GFR drop => may result in anuria => if prolonged, the ischemia leads to progressive permanent nephron loss
- Recovery phase (after relief of the urinary obstruction): with release of the pressure, the pre-renal vessels relax, perfusion is restored, and GFR increases in the nephrons which survive => tubular pressure returns to normal => dilatation of the calyces and collecting system may remain permanently
BUN and creatinine levels in post-renal ARF?
Normal range: 10-20/1
BUN and creatinine levels in intra-renal ARF?
Renal damage causes reduced reabsorption of BUN, therefore lowering the BUN/Cr ratio => <10/1
Normal plasma creatinine level?
1 mg/dL
Normal BUN level?
10-20 mg/dL
What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Gradual and progressive loss of the ability of the kidneys to excrete wastes, concentrate urine, and conserve electrolytes due to diseases affecting the kidney either:
PRIMARILY 1. Chronic glomerulonephritis 2. Interstitial nephritis SECONDARILY 3. Hypertensive vascular disease 4. Diabetes 5. Partial urinary tract obstruction
Are primary or secondary causes of CKD more common?
Secondary causes more common
What can progression of CKD lead to?
Progression may continue to end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Describe the progression of chronic renal failure.
- Reduced renal reserve
- Renal insufficiency: GFR is reduced (< 50% of normal) and mild azotemia, nocturia, mild anemia
- Renal failure: azotemia, acidosis, impaired urine dilution, severe anemia, hypernatremia, and hyperkalemia (GFR below 20%)
- End stage renal failure: near absence of GFR, all organ systems are effected
Pathophysiology of chronic renal failure progression?
Renal injury leading to:
- Progressive loss of nephron mass and filtration surface area => decreased GFR
- Systemic HT => proteinuria => increased proximal tubule protein uptake => renal microvascular injury
- Renal growth factor and cytokine activation => influx of monocytes and macrophages => fibrosis
All 3 => ESRD
What is uremia? Causes?
Uremia refers to a number of symptoms caused by a decline in renal function with the accumulations of toxins (with azotemia, acidosis, hyperkalemia, HT, anemia, and hypocalcemia) => sign of failing excretory system and other metabolic and endocrine abnormalities
Causes unknown, and it appears that urea and creatinine build up plays little to no role
7 symptoms of uremia?
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Edema
- Neurologic changes
What is important to note about sodium regulation?
Sodium must be regulated within narrow limits so the nephron is very efficient at reabsorbing sodium
What happens to Na+/H2O reabsorption when GFR declines?
A decreased fraction of filtered Na and water must be reabsorbed to keep them in balance
How are sodium and water balances affected by chronic renal failure?
Kidneys become less flexible and urinary dilution and concentration are impaired
How is calcium balance affected by chronic renal failure?
Vitamin D levels decrease as the kidney synthesis decreases => diminished absorption of calcium from the gut => overproduction of parathyroid hormone => plasma phosphate levels increase because of the decrease in GFR => phosphate levels bind to plasma calcium levels => further decreases calcium levels
How is potassium balance affected by chronic renal failure? What is the risk? How to fix this?
Aldosterone-mediated potassium secretion unable to function at such a low GFR => hyperkalemia
The heart function risk increases as the disease progresses and must be controlled by dialysis
How is the acid-base balance affected by chronic renal failure? Result?
Kidneys secretes acids in large amounts so as the kidney fails, ammonia synthesis decrease =>
acidosis => compensation, but acidosis must be treated with dialysis if severe
How are bones affected by chronic renal failure?
Renal osteodystrophy:
1, Elevated serum phosphate levels
- Decreased serum calcium levels
- Impaired activation of vitamin D
- Hyperparathyriodism
=> bone pain and higher fracture risk
Hematologic alterations caused by chronic renal failure? How is this treated?
Decrease in the production of erythropoietin => inadequate production of RBC => normochromic-normocytic anemia presenting with:
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Low hematocrit
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
Treatment: synthetic erythropoietin
What do most CRF patients die of?
Cardiovascular issues caused by the renal issues
How is the CV system affected by CRF?
- Hypertension resulting from excess fluid volume and sodium levels due to elevated renin
- Dyslipidemia = abnormal lipids in the blood: decrease in HDLs and increase in LDLs and VLDLs => higher risk of atherosclerosis
How is the nervous system affected by CRF? Both in CNS and PNS?
- Mild sleep disorders
- Impaired concentration
- Memory loss
- Impaired judgement may occur in some individuals
- Some may experience frequent hiccups, muscle cramps and twitching due to alterations in electrolyte and metabolic product elevation
YUP
How is endocrine function and reproduction affected by CRF?
Uremic males and females have a decrease in sex steroids:
- Females: amenorrhea and inability to maintain a pregnancy
- Males: decreased libido and impotence, and sometimes infertility
How is the immune system affected by CRF? Why?
Generalized immunosuppression due to unknown reasons:
- Increased susceptibility to infection
- Deficient response to vaccination
- Impaired wound healing
How to fix endocrine/reproduction and immune effects of CRF?
Dialysis
How is GI function affected by CRF?
- Non-specific GI complications: anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, along with a metallic taste in the mouth (especially with high BUN levels)
- Uremic gastroenteritis: bleeding ulcerations along mucosa that result in significant blood loss (upper GIT)
- Uremic fetor: form of bad breath caused by urea breakdown by salivary enzymes
How to treat high BUN in CRF patients?
Low protein diet
Treatment of GI issues caused by CRF?
- Dietary protein restriction
OR - Regular dialysis
9 treatments for CRF?
- Preserve remaining nephron function
- Dietary management: low protein, sodium, fluid, potassium, phosphate, and acid
- Sodium and fluid management
- Potassium management
- Erythropoietin
- Control hypertension
- Careful prescribing of drugs that are potentially nephrotoxic
- Dialysis
- Transplant
How does dialysis work?
Dialysis fluid separated by semi-permeable membrane (blocking RBCs, WBC, and proteins) from blood passing through slowly to equilibrate
Other name for dialysis fluid?
Dialysate
2 types of dialysis?
- Hemodialysis
2. Peritoneal dialysis
Difference between azotemia and uremia?
Azotemia is an elevation in BUN and Cr due to low GFR with decreased or absent urine, fatigue, decreased alertness, confusion, pale skin, tachycardia, dry mouth, thirst, swelling, orthostatic BP
Uremia is a broader term referring to the pathological manifestations of severe azotemia => azotemia, as well as acidosis, hyperkalemia, hypertension, anemia, and hypocalcemia along with other findings
What is hematuria?
Presence of blood in the urine
What is lipiduria?
Presence of lipids in the urine