Renal Flashcards
Renal anatomy
Kidneys lie retroperitoneal. L is slightly higher with its haul @ L1 due to the presence of the liver on the R. They are surrounded by layers of fat and fascia and encased in a thick fibrous capsule
Blood supply kidneys
Supplied by renal arteries branching directly from the abdominal aorta distal to the SMA. They divide into segmental then to interlobar to arcuate and finally to interlobular arteries.
The afferent arteriole is crucial in regulating the volume of blood delivered to the nephron. It forms an extensive capillary network where the
- Vasa recta supplies the inner 1/3 of the cortex + medulla
- Outer 2/3rd of the cortex is supplied by the peritubular network
These the form the efferent artiole via via the renal veins drains directly into the IVC
Filtration @ Bowmans Capsule
Hydrostatic pressure forces fluid out. The filtration barrier consists of fenestrated endothelium with 60-80nm sizes pores on top of this sits the -vely charged GBM so large molecules such as albumin are retained. Podocytes foot processes form an interdigitated 40nm filtration slit
Juxtaglomerular apparatus
Regulates flow and filtration to each nephron. Column cells in the macula densa sense the concentration of Na+ in the tubular fluid. They can trigger adenosine mediated vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole to reduce eGFR and retain more sodium and hence increase BP. This is mediated by renin and aldosterone
Endocrine function of the Kidney
Epo, renin via juxtaglomerular apparatus, 1a hydroxylation of vit D
Proximal tubule
Glucose and 80% of Na reabsorbed via Na+/Glucose co transporter. Cl- is reabsorbed to maintain electric neutrality. Na+/H+ exchanger allows HCO3 formed from c02 and h20 by carbonic anhydrase to be reabsorbed
Thick descending loop of Henle
H20 reabsorbed giving hypertonic urine
Thick ascending loop
Na+/K+/2Cl- symporter
Distal convoluted tubule
Ca2+ reabsorption mediated by PTH, Thiazide dependent Na+/Cl- transporter
Collecting duct
ENaC aldosterone mediated Na+ exchanged for K+ and H+
ADHs stimulates aquaporin insertion and h20 retention
Autocrine functions
Autocrine = actions on self
Endothelins = vasoconstrictors Prostaglandins= act to maintain renal blood flow in the face of angiotensin II and adrenergic stimulation ANP = Secreted from the cardiac atria in response to stretch produce Na+ excretion, lower BP and reduce renin and aldosterone secretion
Renal Hx
PMHx = gout, HTN, DM
Childhood UTI = vesicouteric reflux
Hx of renal stones or cystitis
Dix = Abx, NSAIDs, methotrexate, gentamicin/vancomycin
Nephritic syndrome
Inflammation leads to reactive cell proliferation and breaks in the GBM. Crescent forming. PC = haematuria and red cell casts
Causes = anti GBM (goodpastures), Vasculitis, post strep glomerular nephritis. SLE and IgA can
Nephrotic syndrome
Injury to podocytes leading to changed architecture and scarring. PC = oedema, hypoalbuminea, proteinuria and hypercholesterolemia
Causes = minimal change disease, FSGS, diabetic nephropathy, amyloidosis
Iga and SLE can
O/E renal disease
Parlour, fatigue and SOB ?anemia due to low epo
Purpuric rash, epistaxis, wt loss, arthralgia ?vasculitis
Palpable bladder ?retention/cancer
Palpable kidney ?ADPKD, transplat @ iliac fossa
Oedematous = nephrotic syndrome
Renal bruit ? renal artery stenosis
eGFR
Clinically used to assess degree of renal impairment (Not useful in acute setting). Uses for drug dosing and ESRF
Calculations take into account age, weight, race and serum creatinine
Limitations of eGFR
Too pessimistic in mild renal failure, most elderly patients are in stage III CKD yet have no impairment on their lives
Creatinine clearance
Produced by skeletal muscle filtered freely at the glomerulus with only a small amount secreted in the proximal tubule. Creatinine levels vary with muscle mass, activity and gender
Equation for creatinine clearance
(140-age x wt x constant)
Serum creatinine
Constant = 1.04 females, 1.23 males
Myeloma screen
CRAB symptoms. Serum free light chains/electrophoresis
Glomeluronephritis screen
ANCA (PR3 and MPO), anti-GBM, complement, ANA, dsDNA
Urine dipstick
Colour - haemturia? nephritic syndrome or myoglobin
Glucose - very sensitive indicated DM
Proteinuria - common sometimes benign (postural, exercise and pyrexia)
If two +ve dipsticks for protein offer ACR
Causes of Haemturia
Intra-renal = TIN, papillary necrosis, GN, Cysts, RCC, trauma
Extra-renal = ureteric stones, bladder cancer, infections, BPH, parasites, urethral trauma
False +ve = myoglobin, rifampicin, porphyria
Glomerular disease
Red cell casts, haematuria and proteinuria
Inv Renal
USS - safe, non invasive so imaging of choice allows visualisation of stones, assess size and symmetry of kidneys, characterisation of renal masses as cystic or complex and solid, guided biopsy, renal artery patency with duplex
Glomerulus structure
Network of capillaries at the beginning of the nephron
i) Fenestrated endothelium have large pores 50-100nm allowing passage of small molecules but not protein or RBC
ii) GBM strong collagen matrix with heparan sulphate giving -ve charge to repel albumin.
iii) Podocytes attach to the GBM by foot processes, adjacent podocytes are joined by slit diaphragms creating a sieve
Glomerulus in disease
Effacement of for processes leads to disruption is architecture of the filtration slit this may manifest as proteinuria.
Tubular disease
White cell casts, minimal proteinuria
Classification of glomerular disease
a) Nephrotic = massive proteinuria, oedema and hypoabluminemia due to podocyte injury
b) Glomerulonephritis = nephritic syndrome
Acute = abrupt onset haematuria, red cell casts and transient renal impairment
RPGN - acute nephritis, focal crescent necrosis and ESRF
c) Mixed nephrotic/nephritic = SLE, IgA, HSP
d) Asymptomatic proteinuria/haematuria
Causes of proteinuria
Glomerular in origin >1g
- Diabetic nephropathy, minimal change, FSGS, membraneous GN
- SLE and amyloidosis
Tubular in origin < 1g
ATN/ITN
UTI, ureteric stones
Bengin = fever, exercise and postural
Nephrotic syndrome
Massive proteinuria >3.5g a day may PC as frothy
Hypoalbuminemia <35g/l
Gross oedema = periorbital, ascites, ankles
Dyslipidemia
Complications of nephrotic syndrome
Can cause progressive renal failure
Hyperlipidemia - low levels of albumin lead to hepatic compensation by producing lipopoteins. Apolipoproteins are lost in the urine leading to reduced lipid catabolism and action of lipoprotein lipase. If prolonged = acceleration of CVD and atherosclerosis
Thrombophila - antithrombin III lost giving hypercoaguable state = increased DVT/PE risk
Infection risk due to loss of immunoglobulins
Causes of nephrotic syndrome
1 - minimal change disease, FGGS, membranous nephropathy
2 - SLE, amyloidosis, diabetic nephropathy
Minimal change disease PC
Seen commonly in children approx 20% causes of adult nephrotic syndrome. PC = facial oedema, selective protein loss albumin > immunoglobulins
Glomeruli appear normal on light microscopy however on electron microscopy fusion and effacement of the foot processes can be seen.
Causes of minimal change
Idiopathic - majority!
Hodgkin lymphoma, drugs - NSAID’s, ABx, HBV and HCV
Mx minimal change
Good prognosis <10% progress to ESRF. Steriods
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) PC
Sclerotic glomerular lesions which affects some glomeruli and certain segments in each tuft. Evidence of hylanosis
Increased incidence in afro-carribeans
PC = massive proteinuria (no selective), HTN and haematuria
Inv and Mx for FSGS
Immunohistochemistry shows IgM and complement deposition
Biopsy = diagnostic
Mx = steroids and cyclophosphamide. 50% progress to ESRF @ 10yrs
Membranous glomerulonephritis
30% of adult nephrotic syndrome. Male predominance AI condition where autoantibodies target the GBM. Sub endothelial deposits activate the complement system which leads to damage to podocytes and mesangial cells
Haematuria referral
2wk wait if visable haematuria > 45y/o in absence of UTI
inviable haematuria >60y/o
IgA nephropathy
Most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide caused by deposition of IgA complexes in the mesangium
IgA nephropathy
Most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide caused by deposition of IgA complexes in the mesangium. This leads to proliferation and synthesis of mesangial matrix. Activation of complement and macrophage infiltration lead to glomerular injury
PC IgA nephropathy
Typically in childhood or young males post URTI or GI infection within a week. Microscopic or macroscopic haematuria.
Rapid recovery
Inv and Mx IgA
Biopsy shows mesangial proliferation and complex deposition. IgA on immunohistochemistry
USS to rule out obstructive cause
Mx = ACEi, steroids if needed
Thin basement membrane disease
AD condition typically presents with persistent microscopic haematuria + red cell casts.
Inv = Biopsy shows thinning of membrane due to collagen defect
Alport syndrome
X-linked disorder of type IV collagen which is found in the ears, glomerulus and eyes. This non functioning collagen undergoes progressive sclerosis = renal failure
PC = progressive proteinuria and haematuria, sensorineural hearing loss. 20% optic defect including anterior lexicons, myopia and corneal erosions
Diuretics
Loop - Furosemide acts block Na+/K+/Cl- transporter in the loop of Henle = potent effect
Thiazide - Bendroflumathiazide acts to block Na+/Cl- cotransporter in DC. Cause more urinary retention, glucose intolerance and hypokalemia than Loop.
Potassium sparing diuretics reduced Na+ reabsorption in exchange for K+ retention = spironolactone
Causes of membranous glomerulonephritis
1 - idiopathic 80%
2 - AI (SLE, thyroid, sarcoidosis)
Infections - HBV, HCV,
Cancer - lung, breast, colon + lymphoma
Drugs - gold, NSAIDs, penicillamine!!
Inv and Mx of membraneous glomerulonephritis
Invx - biopsy shows classic spike and dome pattern , IgG and C3 on immunofluorescent
Mx 1/3 = ESRF
Mx Nephrotic syndrome
LMWH tinzaparin to reduce risk of VTE
Statins for dyslipidemia
ACEi for proteinuria and HTN
Oedema = rest, fluid and Na+ restrict
Find and treat the cause!!
Myelomas = serum free light chains, Vasculitis ANCA +ve, anti-GBM, SLE =dsDNA
Biopsy is often needed for diagnosis
Glomerulonephritis
i) Non proliferative = nephrotic syndrome
Minimal change, FSGS, Membranous
ii) Proliferative GN = usually nephritic syndrome + crescents
IgA, post streptococcal, Membroproliferative
RPGN - anti-GBM and Vasculitis
Diabetic nephropathy
Glomerular hyper filtration leads to GBM thickening and mesangial proliferation - proteinuria occurs as filtration pressure rises and podcytes deplete.
In late stages of disease glomerulosclerosis occurs with with Kimmelstiel-Wilson lesion and hyaline deposits in the glomerular arterioles
ACEi
Mx diabetic nephropathy
Aim for good glycemic control, BP <120/80 with ACEi, control dyslipidemia