Renal Function Tests & AKI Flashcards
What are the functions of kidney?
- Filtration
- Excretion
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
Renal function tests categories:
- Glomerular filtration rate assessment
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Tubular function tests
- Imaging
- Renal Biopsy
What is GFR? How is it done?
It is the measure of the rate at which the kidneys filter blood per minute.
There are two methods:
Direct measurement : Using inulin clearence
Estimated GFR:
a) Creatinine based estimations b) Cystatin C based estimations
Also sometimes Creatinine clearance level is used
What is the gold standard for measuring GFR and why?
Inulin clearance
Because Inulin is not affected by other physiological activities , and neither secreted nor reabsorbed by the kidneys
How is Estimated GFR based on creatinine and cystatin C done?
Serum Creatinine or Cystatin C is taken and the value is inserted in formulas that include variables such as age, sex, ethnicity
What is the normal value of GFR?
> 90ml/min/1.73m2
How is creatinine clearance measured ? Normal values?
Serum creatinine and Urine creatinine ( urine collected over 24 hrs- downfall) are measured and put in a formula
Men: 95-135ml/min
Women: 85-125ml/min
Normal values for serum creatinine?
Men: 0.6-1.3mg/dl
Women: 0.5-1.2 mg/dl
Blood tests in evaluation of renal function involve?
- BUN test
- Serum electrolytes test ( Na+,K+,Cl-, Hco3-, Ca2+)
Normal values for BUN?
7- 20 mg/dl
Urinary tests of renal function involve?
Urinalysis
Physical properties : color, odor, clarity
Chemical properties: Dip stick- pH, proteins, sugar, bilirubin
Microscopic : Casts, crystals, wbc, rbc
Tubular function tests include?
- Fractional excretion of sodium ( FeNa)
- Acid-base balance tests
- Water deprivation test
How is Fractional excretion of sodium done and significance?
Both Serum and urine sodium and creatinine levels are measured and inserted in a formula
It helps to distinguish between AKI by pre-renal FeNa < 1% ( kidney is preserving sodium due to decreased blood volume)
or intrinsic renal causes FeNa >2% ( kidney can not preserve sodium due to intrinsic injury)
Significance of water deprivation test in renal function assessment
It helps in distinguishing between central and nephrotic diabetes insipidus
What are imaging tests used in Renal function assessment?
- Ultrasound
- CT and MRI
Describe arterial renal blood flow
Abdominal aorta- Renal artery- segmental arteries- interlobar arteries- arcuate arteries- cortical radiate arteries ( interlobular)- afferent arterioles
What are the problems caused by AKI?
- Accumulation of wastes in the body: Urea, Creatinine
- Increased fluid retention: edema, SOB
- Decreased urine output
Name the categories of causes of AKI
- Pre-renal
- Intra renal
- Post- renal