Renal medicine Flashcards
What are the main functions of the kidney?
Acid-base balance Water balance Electrolytes Toxin removal Blood pressure regulation EPO synthesis D (vitamin) D 1a hydroxylation
How do renal syndromes correlate with disease?
One clinical disease can manifest in several different renal syndromes
How is kidney function measured?
Blood tests: creatinine
Urine output
Elimination of radioisotopes
How is eGFR calculated?
(current guidance) CKD-EPI algorithm based on serum creatinine
adjustments included for gender, race and age
In which contexts is CKD-EPI not a useful eGFR indication?
extremes of muscle mass, other ethnicities (aside from black or caucasian), fluctuating GFR)
What are the 3 broad tempos of renal failure?
Acute - occurs within days of an insult or injury
Chronic - progressively deteriorating renal function over years
(also a MODERATE type where renal failure occurs over weeks-months)
Acute on chronic - idea that those with chronic renal impairment are more susceptible to acute insults
How common is AKI?
It affects 20% of all emergency admissions
What is the mortality rate of AKIs?
25-40%
even a minor increase in serum [creatinine] has impact on mortality risk
20-30% of AKIs are preventable
What are the long term complications of AKIs?
CKD
End stage renal failure (ESRF)
death
What are the different stages of AKI severity?
Stage 1: SCr increase >26 umol/L in <48hr or >1.5-1.9x baseline; urine output < 0.5ml/kg/hr for 6hr (consecutive)
Stage 2: SCr > 2-2.9x baseline; urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr for 12hr
Stage 3: SCr >3x baseline or SCr >354 umol/L or initiated on RRT; urine output <0.3ml/kg/hr or anuria for 12hr
What are pre-renal causes of AKI?
Hypovolemia
Hypoperfusion
Drugs (ACEi, NSAIDs)
How do ACEi/ARBs affect GFR?
ACEi prevent vasoconstriction of the efferent arteriole, thus resulting in vasodilation and reduced GFR -> reduced systemic BP
How do NSAIDs affect GFR?
NSAIDs inhibit production of prostaglandins which normally cause vasodilation of afferent arteriole. As a result, there is vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole which reduces the systemic blood volume entering the kidney and can cause hypoperfusion as well as reduces the GFR
What are the intrinsic renal causes of AKI?
Glomerular (glomerularnephritis, systemic disease)
Tubular (acute tubular necrosis)
interstitial (interstitial nephritis)
What the main types of glomerular disease?
nephrotic disease: proteinuria and oedema
nephritic disease: inflammation and haematuria (some proteinuria may also be present0
What are the main principles to consider with glomerular disease?
Primary vs. Secondary
Primary should be considered under clinical syndrome, histopath. and pathogenesis
There are often no good clinicopathological correlations
Redundant terminology (multiple names for one pathology)
Pathogenesis is unknown in many cases
What are the main types of PRIMARY glomerular disease?
nephrotic syndrome nephritic syndrome asymptomatic urinary abnormalities rapidly progressive GN CKD
What are post-renal causes of AKI?
Bladder stones
Tumours post-renal
enlarged prostate
hydronephrosis/hydroureter (enlargement)
What is the immediate management of hyperkalaemia?
Calcium gluconate: cardioprotective as decreases responsiveness of cardiac muscle to potassium in blood
Glucose/insulin: shift of K+ ions into cells via increased activity of Na+ K+-ATPase pump
(Acidosis may be managed with HCO3- infusion)
What is the consideration when giving bicarbonate to correct metabolic acidosis in AKI?
Additional HCO3- will push equilibrium of Henderson-Hasselback equation to left and therefore generate more CO2
This may exacerbate respiratory compensation or status
Not ideal where resp. function is compromised (e.g. COPD)
Why does administration of glucose/insulin correct hyperkalaemia?
Leads to movement of K+ ions into the cell as insulin promotes uptake of glucose.
This occurs secondary to increased Na+/K+ ATPase activity
Why may treatment of hyperkalaemia result in an initial worsening acidosis?
Influx of K+ into cells means that there is a simultaneous efflux of H+ out of cells
This may result in more acidosis or be converted into CO2 (respiratory excretion)
When should renal replacement therapy (RRT) be commenced?
AKI is established and unavoidable
BUT complications have not yet developed
What are the main risks of RRT?
VTE
Bacteremia (sepsis)
Haemorrhage from anticoagulants
What are the main indications for starting RRT?
Urgent: hyperkalaemia, volume overload
Non-urgent: Uraemia, acidosis
What are the biochemical indicators for initiating dialysis in AKI?
Refractory hyperkalaemia > 6.5 mmol/l
serum urea > 30 mmol/l
Refractory metabolic acidosis pH ≤ 7.1
Hyponatraemia / hypernatraemia / hypercalcaemia
Tumour lysis syndrome with hyperuricaemia and hyperphosphataemia
Urea cycle defects, and organic acidurias resulting in hyperammonaemia, methymalonic acidaemia
What are the clinical indicators for starting dialysis in AKI?
Urine output < 0.3 ml/kg for 24 h or complete anuria >12 hrs
AKI with multiple organ failure
Refractory volume overload
End organ damage
Create intravascular space for plasma and other blood product infusions and nutrition
Severe poisoning or drug overdose
Severe hypothermia or hyperthermia
When may RRT be deferred even if some clinical and/or biochemical indicators are present?
When the underlying clinical conditions is improving
Or there are some early clinical signs of renal recovery
What are the main functions of dialysis?
removes nitrogenous waste
corrects electrolytes
removes water
corrects acid-base disturbances
Which renal functions can dialysis NOT do?
Red blood cell production
Blood pressure control
Vitamin D activation