Renal Flashcards
What is GFR?
The GFR is the rate of fluid transfer between glomerular capillaries and Bowman’s space.
What is the typical GFR, and how much of it is reabsorbed?
The typical GFR is approximately 90-120ml/min, but 99% is reabsorbed so 1-1.5L of urine per day
What are the two mechanisms of renal autoregulation?
The two mechanisms of renal autoregulation are myogenic regulation and tubuloglomerular feedback. (JGA)
How does myogenic regulation maintain GFR?
Myogenic regulation involves vasoactive factors released from endothelial cells, which lead to afferent arteriolar constriction and a decrease in GFR.
How does tubuloglomerular feedback maintain GFR?
Tubuloglomerular feedback involves the sensing of Na+ delivery to distal tubules by the macula densa, leading to afferent arteriolar constriction and a decrease in GFR.
What is the gold standard for measuring GFR?
Inulin clearance is the gold standard for measuring GFR, although it is rarely used in clinical practice.
What is the typical method for estimating GFR?
The typical method for estimating GFR is through serum creatinine concentration.
What is the assumption behind using serum creatinine for GFR estimation?
Serum creatinine is assumed to be freely filtered at the glomerulus with no tubular reabsorption.
How can GFR be estimated in clinical practice?
GFR can be estimated using formulas like Cockcroft-Gault, which use serum creatinine and demographic factors.
What are the limitations of serum creatinine measurement?
Limitations include the requirement for a steady state, a delayed response in acute kidney injury (AKI), compensation by remaining nephrons, and the influence of muscle mass.
What factors can affect serum urea concentration?
Serum urea concentration can be affected by dietary protein intake, catabolic rate (e.g., sepsis, GI bleed),
What can specific gravity in urinalysis indicate?
A decreased specific gravity (<1.010) suggests dilute urine, while an increased specific gravity (>1.020) suggests concentrated urine.
What does the presence of glucose in urinalysis suggest?
Glucosuria can suggest hyperglycemia, increased GFR (e.g., during pregnancy), or proximal tubule dysfunction.
What is the role of nitrites in urinalysis?
Positive nitrites suggest a UTI (e.g., E. coli), but this test has poor sensitivity and specificity.
What can the presence of ketones in urinalysis indicate?
Positive ketones may indicate conditions like alcoholic/diabetic ketoacidosis, prolonged starvation, or fasting.
What does the presence of hemoglobin in urinalysis indicate?
Positive hemoglobin can suggest haemoglobinuria (haemolysis), myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), or true haematuria (RBCs seen on microscopy).
What are some examples of urinary casts, and what do they indicate?
Casts include hyaline casts (physiologic), RBC casts (glomerular bleeding), WBC casts (infection or inflammation), pigmented granular casts (ATN or acute GN), and fatty casts (heavy proteinuria).
What is the glomerulus, and what is its source of blood?
The glomerulus is a vascular structure composed of an anastomosing network of capillaries that arise from the afferent arteriole and drain into the efferent arteriole.
What are the components of the glomerular capillary wall?
The glomerular capillary wall consists of:
Fenestrated endothelial cells
Glomerular basement membrane (GBM)
Podocytes (with foot processes adherent to the outside of the GBM)
Mesangial cells in the mesangial matrix
What is the role of the glomerular capillary wall in filtration?
The glomerular capillary wall acts as a filtration barrier with selective permeability, which depends on the size and charge of filtering molecules. Podocytes play a key role in the barrier, especially for preventing the filtration of albumin.
How do we calculate GFR from Creatinine concentrations?
(Urine [Cr] x urine volume)/plasma [Cr]
What is the tubular reabsorption capacity for glucose?
9-11mmol/L! Start to have glycosuria.
What are the common risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Common risk factors for CKD include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, nephrotoxic drugs (especially NSAIDs), autoimmune diseases, systemic infections (e.g., HBV, HCV, HIV), nephrolithiasis, lower urinary-tract obstruction, hyperuricemia/metabolic syndrome, acute kidney injury, family history of CKD, and age over 60 years.