Renal Flashcards
Define hyperkalaemia
Elevated serum potassium >5.5mM
What are the stages of hyperkalaemia?
Mild: 5.5-6.0mM
Moderate: 6.1-6.9mM
Severe: >7mM
Give causes of hyperkalaemia
Excess intake (potassium supplements, massive blood transfusions)
Release from intracellular fluid (rhabdomyolysis, burns, crush injury, tumour lysis syndrome)
Inadequate excretion (renal impairment, medications - ACEi, ARBs, NSAIDs, K sparing diuretics)
Pseudohyperkalaemia (haemolysis during venepuncture)
How can hyperkalaemia present?
Asymptomatic N&V Diarrhoea Hypotonia Muscle weakness Hyporeflexia Paraesthesia Cardiac arrhythmias
What are the classical changes seen on an ECG which are indicative of hyperkalamia?
Flattened P waves
Tall tented T waves
Wide QRS - becoming sinusoidal
What are the three components of the management of hyperkalaemia?
Myocardial protection
Drive potassium into ICF
Potassium elimination
What drugs are used to protect the myocardium during hyperkalaemia?
Calcium gluconate/chloride (10ml of 10% by slow IV injection)
What can be used to drive potassium into the ICF?
Salbutamol 5mg nebs
Insulin-dextrose infusion
Sodium bicarbonate
How can potassium be eliminated?
Calcium resonium
When should RRT be considered in a patient with hyperkalaemia?
Serum potassium >6.5mM and refractory to medical management
What are the complications of hyperkalaemia?
Cardiac arrhythmias - VF
Cardiac arrest
Define nephritis
Inflammation of the kidneys
What are the features of nephritic syndrome?
Haematuria
Oliguria
Proteinuria (<3g per 24 hours)
Fluid retention
What criteria must be fulfilled before a patient can be said they have nephrotic syndrome?
Peripheral oedema
Proteinuria >3g in 24 hours
Serum album <30g per litre
Hypercholesteraemia
Define interstitial nephritis
Inflammation of the space between the cells and tubules
What are the two types of interstitial nephritis?
Acute interstitial nephritis
Chronic interstitial nephritis
Define glomerulosclerosis
Describes the pathological process of scarring of the tissue in the glomerulus
What can cause glomerulosclerosis?
Any type of glomerulonephritis
Obstructive uropathy
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis