Nephro 1 Flashcards
What are the main functions of the kidney?
Filter and secrete waste/excess
Retain albumin and circulating cells
Reabsorb glucose, amino acids and bicarb
Control BP, fluid status and electrolyes
Activates 25-hydroxy Vit D –> 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D (calcitriol)
Synthesis erythropoietin
What is the glomerular filtration rate?
Volume of fluid filtered from the glomeruli into Bowman’s space per unit time
120ml/min
7.2L/h
170L/day
What are characteristics of PCT?
Proximal Convoluted tubule
sugars, amino acids and bicarbonate get reabsorbed here
70% of Na+ absorbed and water follows
MOST vulnerable to damage
What is Fanconi syndrome?
not to be confused with FANCONI ANAEMIA
Proximal tubule insult (Wilson’s, tenofovir)
- glycosuria
- acidosis
- phosphate wasting = rickets/osteomalacia
- aminoaciduria
What are the functions of the loop of henle?
25% of Na+ absroved here and water follows
Thiazide diuretics work here
What are the functions of the distal convoluted tubule?
The juxtaglomerular apparatus
- a solute sensing organ, if it detects HIGH SOLUTES - GFR is low = releases RENIN
What are the actions of Renin?
- It converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin-I
- ACE from lungs converts angiotensin 1 to 2
- This causes vasoconstriction and release of aldosterone
What are functions of the collecting duct?
salt handling, tightly regulated by aldosterone (increases reabsorption of Na+ in exchange for K+)
Secrete K+ and H+ into the urine
Water handling is also done here via Aquaporin 2 channels (these regulated by vasopressin)
How is potassium handled by the kidney?
K+ freely filtered and mostly reabsorbed in PROXIMAL TUBULE/LOOP OF HENLE
Governed by Na+ and Aldosterone
Insulin and catecholamines drive K+ uptake
What drugs cause hypokalaemia?
Loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics
What drugs cause hyperkalaemia?
spironolactone
amiloride
ACE-I
ARB
Trimethoprim
What is urinating regulated neurally?
S3,4,5 via parasympathetic - contract detrusor relax urethra
How is storage of urine regulated neurally?
T10, L1, L2 via sympathetic nervous system - RELAX bladder CONTRACT urethral sphincter
What are the 3 main narrowings where renal stones can lodge themselves?
Pelviureteric Junction
Pelvic Brim
Vesicoureteric Junction
What are most renal stones made of?
Calcium oxalate and Phosphate
What are some risk factors for renal stones?
Anatomical abnormalities
Chemical composition of urine that favours stone crystallisation
Dehydration
Infection
Increased Ca, Oxalate, Urate
Primary renal disease
Drugs - diuretics, antacids, acetazolamide, corticosteroids
Chocolate, rhubarb
Gout
Fam Hx
How would renal stones/renal colic present?
Asymp
Renal Colic - rapid onset, loin to groin, comes and goes in waves, nausea and vomiting, worse with fluid loading
Dysuria, strangury (burning when peeing), frequency
Recurrent UTI’s
haematuria
How would you investigate renal colic?
Urinalysis - maybe normal, exclude other causes
FBC - WBC to rule out infection
Serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine - hypercalcaemia, hyperuricaemia
Urine pregnancy test - ectopic
non-contrast CT
How would you treat renal stones/colic?
Conservative - overhydration, low Ca, dietary intake, low sodium, reduced BMI, reduced animal proteins
Morphine
Ondansetron
Abx - trimethoprim/nitro
Surgical decompression
What are some pre-renal causes of AKI?
40-70%
Renal hypoperfusion (hypovolaemia or sepsis)
Hypotension without hypovolaemia (cirrhosis or septic shock)
Low cardiogenic output (cardiac failure/cardiogenic shock)
Renal hypoperfusion (NSAIDs, ACE-inhibitors)
What are some intrinsic renal causes of AKI?
10-50%
Renal parenchyma damage
Acute tubular necrosis (NSAIDs, radiological contrast, uric acid crystals, myeloma)
Vascular
- renal artery/vein thrombosis
- cholesterol
- vasculitis
- haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- malignant hypertension
Glomerular- glomerulonephritis, SLE, drugs, infection
What are some post-renal causes of AKI?
UTI
Luminal - stones, clots
Mural - malignancy, BPH, strictures
What are risk factors for AKI?
> 75
HF
Peripheral vascular disease
Sepsis
Poor fluid intake
CKD
Hypovolaemia
Diabetes
Prostate cancer
Nephrotoxic drugs
How does AKI present?
Oliguria
Arrythmias - hyperkalaemia
Uraemia - fatigue, weakness, anorexia, N&V, confusion, seizures and coma
Anaemia and pulmonary oedema - breathlessness
Pericarditis
Impaired platelet function
Postural hypotension
Thirst
How would you investigate AKI?
basic metabolic profile - elevated creatinine, high potassium
serum urea to creatinine ratio = 20:1 supports pre-renal
Urinalysis
urine culture
FBC - anaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia
VBG - met acidosis
fluid challenge - renal function will improve in pre-renal azotaemia
bladder catheterisation