Renal Flashcards
How is AKI defined by KDIGO?
- increase in serum creatinine by >0.3mg/dL in 48hr
- increase in serum creatinine to >1.5x baseline, known or presumed to have occurred in the past 7 days
- urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr for six hours
How do KDIGO classify the stages of AKI?
- based on SCr or urine output (whichever is worst)
- stage 1: SCr 1.5-1.9x baseline or UO <0.5ml/kg/hr for 6-12 hours
- stage 2: SCr 2-2.9x baseline or UO <0.5ml/kg/hr for >12 hours
- stage 3: SCr >3x baseline or UO <0.3ml/kg/hr for 24 hours or anuria for >12 hours
What meds should be withheld is AKI is suspected?
- nephrotoxins
- hypotensives
- diuretics
(DAMN-AKI mnemonic) - diuretics
- ACEi / ARBs
- metformin
- NSAIDs
How can causes of AKI be classified?
- prerenal: decreased perfusion to the kidney
- intrinsic: renal disease
- postrenal: obstruction to the urine flow
How common is AKI?
- 18% of hospital patients
- up to ~50% of ICU patients
What are the risk factors for AKI?
- CKD
- age
- male sex
- comorbidities e.g.DM, CVD, malignancy liver disease)
What are the most common causes of AKI?
- Sepsis
- Major surgery
- Cardiogenic shock
- Other hypovolaemia
- Drugs
- Hepatorenal syndrome
- Obstruction
What are the key factors to manage in AKI?
- fluid balance
- acidosis
- hyperkalaemia
How would you manage hyperkalaemia in AKI?
1) calcium gluconate or calcium chloride IV until ECG normalises (cardioprotective because it stabilises the membrane but it doesn’t actually treat K+ level)
2) IV insulin in glucose OR salbutamol nebs
3) if underlying pathology cannot be corrected then renal replacement therapy may be indicated
In those with existing renal disease NSAIDs and ACEi can interact to cause an AKI, how does this happen?
- NSAIDs constrict the afferent arteriole
- ACEi dilate the efferent arteriole
- result is decreased filtration
How would you investigate a patient with AKI after they had been stabilised?
- urine dip (pre-catheter)
- USS KUB
- LFTs
- platelets plus a blood film if low
- specific tests for intrinsic renal disease if indicated (e.g. Igs, paraproteins, autoantibodies etc)
What stages form the immediate management of AKI?
Look for life threatening complications:
- examine: HR, BP, JVP, cap refill, palpate bladder - calculate NEWS
- pulmonary oedema?
- VBG for K+
Treat hypovolaemia:
- initial fluid challenge
- fluid management (consider catheter and hourly UO measurements)
Observations:
- every 4 hours as minimum
- more frequently if clinically indicated
Investigations:
- check K+ at least daily until creatinine falls
- daily creatinine until it decreases
- check lactate if signs of sepsis
Which drugs interfere with renal perfusion?
- ACEi
- ARBs
- NSAIDs
Which drugs require dose reduction or may be unsuitable for patients with renal disease?
All medications that are metabolised and excreted by the kidneys (~20% of meds, mainly water soluble ones) including:
- fractioned heparins
- opiates
- penicillin-based antibiotics
- sulphonylurea-based OHAs
- aciclovir
- metformin
Which drugs require closer monitoring in renal disease?
- warfarin
- aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin)
- lithium
Which drugs can aggravate hyperkalaemia?
- trimethoprim
- spironolactone
- amiloride
Do loading doses need dose adjustment in patients with renal disease?
Not usually, especially if it’s important to get to the therapeutic dose quickly
If a patient has renal disease, what figures should you use to calculate their dose adjustment?
- eGFR
- if unknown then assume <10ml/min/1.73m2
What are the potentially fatal complications of renal failure?
- hyperkalaemia
- pulmonary oedema
- intravascular volume depletion
- uraemic encephalopathy
- pericardial effusion
What are the functions of the kidney?
- elimination of waste products
- electrolyte homeostasis
- acid base balance
- fluid balance and BP control
- metabolism of vitamin D
- endocrine (EPO, vitD, RAAS)
What are the ECG signs that are indicative of hyperkalaemia?
- tall, tented T waves
- wide QRS
- sine wave pattern
What clinical methods can be used to assess intravascular volume?
- body weight
- skin turgor
- postural BP
- mucosal membrane hydration
- JVP
- lung base sounds
What are the main complications of CKD?
- anaemia
- renal bone disease
- acidosis
- hypertension
- malnutrition
- uraemia
What are the categories of CKD as classified by GFR?
>90 = G1 60-89 = G2 45-59 = G3a 30-44 = G3b 15-29 = G4 <15 = G5
What are the categories of CKD as classified by ACR?
<3 = A1 3-30 = A2 >30 = A3
What are the negative impacts of chronic dialysis on a patient?
- heavy time burden
- high morbidity of psychological illness
- limitation on travel
- diet restrictions
- complications can result in frequent hospital admissions
- home dialysis may require changes to the home and requires another person to be present during dialysis
What is the triad of nephrotic syndrome?
- proteinuria (>3g/day)
- hypoalbuminaemia
- oedema
- hypercholesterolaemia and hyperaldosteronism are secondary phenomena
What symptoms form nephritic syndrome?
- haematuria
- proteinuria
- mild hypertension
- reduced urine output (<300ml/day)