Nephrology Cards Flashcards
Nephrotic Syndrome
Proteinuria >3.5g/24hrs
Hypoalbuminaemia
Generalised oedema
Hyperlipidaemia
Nephritic Syndrome
Haematuria with RBC casts and dysmorphic RBCs
Often some degree of oliguria with hypertension and progressive reduction in GFR
Commonest glomerular disease worldwide
IgA nephropathy
Goodpasteur disease
Characterised by antibody against alpha-3 chain of collagen type IV (anti-GBM antibody)
Alport syndrome
Results from mutations in genes encoding the alpha 3, 4 and 5 chains of type IV collagen
Proximal Convoluted Tubule
65-70% sodium reabsorption by apical Na-H exchanger protein.
Linked to regeneration of HCO3- (carbonic anyhydrase involved) -> Acetozolamide will interfere with this.
Sodium reabsorption coupled to reabsorption of glucose via SGLUT -> SGLT2 inhibitors work here (prevent reabsorption of both glucose and sodium).
Fanconi Syndrome
Defect in the proximal tubule - leading to inefficient regeneration of HCO3- and hence proximal renal tubular acidosis. Reabsorption of glucose, amino acids, phosphate and uric acid are affected.
Thick Ascending Limb of LOH
Na-K-2Cl transporter absorbs 1 Na and K each along with 2 Cl ions.
Frusemide inhibits the Na-K-2Cl transporter (NKCC2)
Bartter syndrome
Due to a defect in Na reabsorption in thick ascending limb of LOH (so same as being on Frusemide) - 5 types depending on the mutation in protein involved.
Effect of Frusemide on Calcium
Frusemide by inhibiting NaK2Cl co-transporter in TAL inhibits all downstream events including paracellular reabsorption of Ca and Mg.
Effect of Thiazides on Calcium
Blocking the DTC with thiazides causes upregulation of other portions of the renal tubules - upregulation of NaK2Cl in TAL causes increased Ca reabsorption.
Countercurrent mechanism LOH
The descending limb is highly permeable to water but the thick ascending limb is impermeable to water.
CaSR
Found in basolateral membrane of cells of thick ascending limb of LOH (as well as parathyroid gland).
Net result of renal CaSR stimulation by plasma calcium = decrease in paracellular calcium and magnesium absorption and increased urinary calcium loss.
FHH = caused by inactivating mutations of CaSR.
Mild hypercalcaemia, hypocalciuria, inappropriately normal to high PTH and high-normal to elevated serum magnesium levels.
Benign condition that does not require parathyroidectomy.
Distal Convoluted Tubule
Sodium is reabsorbed by the apical NaCl co-transporter (NCCT).
Inhibition of NCCT by thiazide diuretics lead to volume contraction, leading to increased TAL reabsorption of sodum which in turn leads to increased paracellular reabsorption of calcium.
Gitelman Syndrome
Characterised by impaired NCCT (so same as being on thiazide diuretics).
Hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypomagnesaemia with lowish BP.
Collecting Duct
Principal cells contain aquaporin 2 (AQP 2) which reabsorb water.
Vasopressin (ADH) via V2 receptor moves AQP2 to the luminal surface.
DI results when there is a vasopressin deficiency (central DI) or when the kidneys fail to respond to the hormone (nephrogenic DI).
Lithium causes a nephrogenic DI by causing decreased expression of AQP 2.
Aldosterone
Produced by zone glomerulosa of adrenal cortex.
Sodium reabsorption.
K and H excretion.
RTAs
Disorders of the tubule characterised by:
a) Normal anion gap (hyperchloraemic) metabolic acidosis.
b) Despite a relatively well-preserved GFR with either
c) Hypokalaemia (types 1 and 2) or hyperkalaemia (type 4).
Defect in distal H+ leads to distal (type 1) RTA.
Defect in HCO3- reabsorption leads to proximal (type 2) RTA.
Type 4 RTA (commonest) is characterised by decreased production of aldosterone or diminished responsiveness of the cortical duct to aldosterone.
Type 1 and 2 RTA
Type 1 RTA (Distal RTA)
- Inability to secrete H+
- Urine pH >5.5 (no H+ in the urine)
- Proximal tubules reabsorb all alkali (including citrate) which normally keeps Ca in urine soluble, so nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis.
- No Fanconi syndrome.
- Sjogren’s syndrome, SLE, PBC, autoimmune hepatitis.
- Treat with alkali and K+ replacement.
Type 2 RTA (Proximal RTA)
- Inability to reabsorb HCO3-
- Urine pH <5.5 (distal tubules secrete the excess H+ as in any acidosis)
- No renal stones
- Fanconi syndrome: glycosuria, phosphaturia, uricaciduria and aminoaciduria.
- Myeloma, drugs - tenofovir, acetazolamide.
- Same treatment, needs bigger doses of alkali though.
Type 4 RTA
Decreased production or diminished responsiveness to aldosterone.
Associated with DM (commonest), NSAIDs, ACE-I, calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine or tacrolimus), K-sparing diuretics and high-dose heparin.
In those not hypertensive or volume overloaded, synthetic mineralocorticoid such as fludrocortisone may help.
In patients with hypertension or fluid overload, a thiazide or loop diuretic may help by increasing distal delivery of Na and consequently increase urinary secretion of H and K.
Initial trigger for hyperparathyroidism in CKD
Phosphate retention
ATN
Defined by histologic changes - necrosis of the tubular epithelium and occlusion of the tubular lumen by casts and cell debris.
3 major causes of ATN:
- Renal ischaemia: all causes of severe pre-renal AKI particularly hypotension, shock and surgery.
- Sepsis: usually associated with hypotension.
- Nephrotoxins: aminoglycosides, vancomycin, cisplatin, radiocontrast material, cidofovir.
AIN
Caused by inflammatory infiltrate in the renal interstitium (glomeruli normal).
Drugs: NSAIDs, penicillins, cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, PPIs, diuretics. 70-75%.
Systemic disease: Sarcoidosis, sjogren’s syndrome, SLE and others 10-15%.
Indications for dialysis in AKI
- Refractory hyperkalaemia especially with ECG changes.
- Pulmonary oedema.
- Acidosis (pH <7.15)
- Uraemic encephalopathy
- Uraemic pericarditis
CKD Aetiologies
Diabetic nephropathy.
Glomerulonephritis.
Hypertension.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Others e.g. cystic disease, reflux nephropathy.
Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA)
Tissue deposition of amyloid, particularly in bone, articular cartilage, synovium, muscle, tendons and ligaments.
Derived primarily from beta-2 microglobulin.
Present with shoulder pain or carpal tunnel syndrome.
XR show multiple bone cysts that enlarge over time.
Treatment of Calciphylaxis
Sodium thiosulphate given 3 times weekly during dialysis.
Cease warfarin.
Treat hyperphosphataemia and avoid non-calcium-containing phosphate binder.
When to call it nephrotic syndrome?
Proteinuria >3.5g/24hrs
Hypoalbuminaemia
Oedema
Frequently observed:
Hyperlipidaemia
Hypercoaguability and thrombotic events (8 times more likely of arterial and venous thrombosis; more in MN)
Differential Diagnosis of Nephrotic Syndrome
Primary Glomerular Pathology - Minimum change disease (MCD) - FSGS - Membranous nephropathy (MN) - MPGN/MCGN Systemic diseases (30% in adults) - DM - Amyloidosis - Lupus (usually causes membranous nephropathy)
Minimal Change Disease
Cause of nephrotic syndrome in >90% children <10yrs
Among adults: more acute, more likely to present with AKI.
EM - effacement of podocyte foot processes.
Mostly unknown aetiology.
Associations:
- Drugs: NSAIDs, IFN-a, ampicillin, rifampicin, cephalosporins, lithium.
- Neoplasm: HL and less commonly NHL and leukaemia.
- Allergy: atopy/eczema/asthma.
Tx:
- Good response to corticosteroids.
Membranous Nephropathy
Commonest glomerular cause of NS in Caucasians.
GBM thickening with no cellular proliferation or infiltration.
Antibodies to phospholipase A2 receptor (Anti-PLA2R) seen in 70% of primary cases and has a strong associated with prognosis.
Tx:
1. Usual: angiotensin inhibition and BP control, diuresis, lipid lowering, salt restriction.
2. Treat underlying disease in secondary MN.
3. Prophylactic anticoagulation if serum albumin <20 and with RFs.
4. If moderate risk of progression or > -> immunosuppression (Cyclophosphamide or pred with abnormal initial kidney function; rituximab or calcineurin inhibitor and pred for those with stable kidney function).
FSGS
A histologic lesion defined as sclerosis in parts (segmental) of some (focal) glomeruli.
Foot process effacement seen.
>80% idiopathic and most in this group have elevated plasma ‘soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor suPAR’ elevated.
Best prognosis: tip variant
Worse prognosis: collapsing variant
MPGN or MCGN
Characterised by increased mesangial and endocapillary cellularity (proliferative lesions) with thickened GBM leading to a double-contour appearance.
Immune-complex mediated MCGN
- Associated with chronic antigenaemia and/or circulating immune complexes (chronic infections such as hep B, hepC, autoimmune diseases and monoclonal gammopathies)
- Glomerular deposition of immune complexes leads to activation of classical pathway (normal or mildly low C3 and low C4 levels)
Complement-mediated MCGN
- Excessive activation of alternate complement pathway (so low serum C3 but normal C4)
Staphylococcal GN vs. Post-streptococcal GN
Staphylococcal GN
- simultaneously
- In elderly and especially diabetics, alcoholics, malignancy
- Associated infections: skin, lung, endocarditis, deep abscess, UTI.
- Often IgA dominance or co-dominance.
- Up to half develop CKD or ESRD.
Post-streptococcal GN
- Up to 2 weeks after infection
- Common in children
- Follows throat (ASO, anti-DNase B, anti-NAD, AHase titres high) or skin infections (anti-DNase B, AHase high).
- On IF C3 dominant.
- Renal recovery in >90% especially children
Treat cause.
No role for immunosuppressive therapy.
IgA nephropathy
Commonest cause of GN worldwide.
Characterised by mesangial proliferation and deposition of IgA.
Associated diseases: coeliac disease, RA, AS, reiter syndrome, cirrhosis, NASH, hepatitis B and C, sarcoidosis, HIV.
Features:
- Episodic macroscopic haematuria 40-50% (often within 24-48hrs of URTI).
- Microscopic haematuria in 30-40%
- Nephrotic syndrome in 5%
- Rapidly progressive GN in 5%
LM: diffuse mesangial proliferation and hypercellularity.
EM: electron dense deposits in mesangium.
Depends on proteinuria/HTN/renal fx.
Initially ACE-I or ARB; then add pred.
Anti-GBM antibody
Goodpasture Disease
Directed against alpha 3 chain of type IV collagen
Bx: diffuse proliferative GN often with crescents on LM/EM and characteristic linear deposition of IgG along the GBM on IF.
10-40% may also be MPO ANCA +ve
Tx: Plasma exchange up to 2 weeks + pred and cyclophosphamide up to 3 months.
Followed by pred alone or low-dose pred and aza for 6-9 months.
Alport Syndrome
Autosomal dominant heterozygous mutation of A3 or A4 of type IV collagen leading to asymptomatic haematuria through to progressive GN.
More than 80% X-linked so usually males have worse prognosis.
Primary Aldosteronism (Conn’s Syndrome)
Hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis.
Types:
Bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (60-70%)
Unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (30-40%)
Less common:
Unilateral adrenal hyperplasia; aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma
Dx:
Plasma aldosterone:renin ratio >30 strongly predictive (denominator dependent).
Confirm with oral sodium loading or saline infusion test
Adrenal CT scan.
Adrenal vein sampling to differentiate adenoma vs. hyperplasia may be needed.
Renovascular Hypertension
Two types:
- FMD in 10-15%. Commoner in women <50 and unrelated to lipid status.
- RAS (atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis) usually after 50yr and cholesterol plaque obstructs renal artery.
Suspect with elevation of serum Cr by >30% within a week of starting ACE-I or ARB.
Think about bilateral RAS in recurrent presentations with flash APO and refractory heart failure.
Cushing Syndrome work-up
Initial screen (need at least 2 positive)
- Midnight salivary cortisol
- 24hr urinary cortisol
- Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test
If +ve, follow-up with serum ACTH levels (ACTH dependent vs. independent).
If ACTH low -> CT scan of adrenal gland.
If ACTH normal to high:
- High-dose (8mg) dexamethasone suppression test
- > will suppress ACTH in Cushing’s disease (pituitary-derived ACTH) and will not in ectopic ACTH.
- > if positive -> MRI pituitary
- > in equivocal cases, petrosal venous sinus sampling may be required to establish central-to-peripheral ACTH gradient.
If suspect ectopic ACTH -> CT, MRI, PET or octreotide scintigraphy.
Phaeochromocytoma
Rule of 10: 10% extra-adrenal, multiple, malignant. Genetic syndromes: - Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome - MEN2 - NF1 Plasma fractionated metanephrines 24hr urinary fractionated metanephrines