Nephrology Flashcards
(180 cards)
complications of peritoneal dialysis ?
Peritonitis - coagulase-negative staphylococci such as Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common cause.
Abx given should cover both gram negative and gram positive organisms - he BNF recommends vancomycin (or teicoplanin) + ceftazidime added to dialysis fluid OR vancomycin added to dialysis fluid + ciprofloxacin by mouth
Sclerosis peritonitis
which patients are at risk of contrast induced nephropathy?
Risk factors include
known renal impairment (especially diabetic nephropathy)
age > 70 years
dehydration
cardiac failure
the use of nephrotoxic drugs such as NSAIDs
what is contrast induced nephropathy?
Contrast media nephrotoxicity may be defined as a 25% increase in creatinine occurring within 3 days of the intravascular administration of contrast media. Contrast-induced nephropathy occurs 2 -5 days after administration.
how to prevent contrast induced nephropathy?
the evidence base currently supports the use of intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride at a rate of 1 mL/kg/hour for 12 hours pre- and post- procedure. There is also evidence to support the use of isotonic sodium bicarbonate
N-acetylcysteine has been given in the past but recent evidence suggests it is not effective*
Patients who are high-risk for contrast-induced nephropathy should have metformin withheld for a minimum of 48 hours and until the renal function has been shown to be normal. This is due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
how to work out anion gap?
(Na+ + K+) - (Cl- + HCO-3).
what is a normal anion gap?
The normal range = 10-18 mmol/L
What causes metabolic acidosis with normal anion gap?
Normal anion gap ( = hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis)
gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss:
prolonged diarrhoea: may also result in hypokalaemia
ureterosigmoidostomy
fistula
renal tubular acidosis
drugs: e.g. acetazolamide
ammonium chloride injection
Addison’s disease
what causes metabolic acidosis with a raised anion gap?
Raised anion gap
lactate:
shock
sepsis
hypoxia
ketones:
diabetic ketoacidosis
alcohol
urate: renal failure
acid poisoning: salicylates, methanol
what are the causes of metabolic acidosis due to raised lactate?
Metabolic acidosis secondary to high lactate levels may be subdivided into two types:
lactic acidosis type A: sepsis, shock, hypoxia, burns
lactic acidosis type B: metformin
what may happed to eGFR in body builders?
The eGFR is often inaccurate in people with extremes of muscle mass. Body builders often have an inappropriately low eGFR.
what are the stages of CKD?
1 Greater than 90 ml/min, with some sign of kidney damage on other tests (if all the kidney tests* are normal, there is no CKD)
2 60-90 ml/min with some sign of kidney damage (if kidney tests* are normal, there is no CKD)
3a 45-59 ml/min, a moderate reduction in kidney function
3b 30-44 ml/min, a moderate reduction in kidney function
4 15-29 ml/min, a severe reduction in kidney function
5 Less than 15 ml/min, established kidney failure - dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed
Initial management of renal colic?
NSAIDs are the treatment of choice
the NICE guidelines suggest for patients who require admission: ‘Administer a parenteral analgesic (such as intramuscular diclofenac) for rapid relief of severe pain’
Alpha blockers - promote smooth muscle relaxation and dilatation of the ureter potentially easing stone assuage - consider if stone less than 10mm
Investigations for renal stone?
urine dipstick and culture
serum creatinine and electrolytes: check renal function
FBC / CRP: look for associated infection
calcium/urate: look for underlying causes
stone analysis should be considered once the stone has passed
also: clotting if percutaneous intervention planned and blood cultures if pyrexial or other signs of sepsis
Non-contrasr CT KUB - within 24 hours of admission
USS for pregnant woman and children
management of renal stones?
Simplified first-line NICE guidance (please see guidelines for more details) NICE
Renal stones
watchful waiting if < 5mm and asymptomatic
5-10mm shockwave lithotripsy
10-20 mm shockwave lithotripsy OR ureteroscopy
> 20 mm percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Uretic stones
shockwave lithotripsy +/- alpha blockers>< 10mm shockwave lithotripsy +/- alpha blockers
10-20 mm ureteroscopy
Stones < 5 mm will usually pass spontaneously. Lithotripsy and nephrolithotomy may be for severe cases.
what is shockwave lithotripsy?
A shock wave is generated external to the patient, internally cavitation bubbles and mechanical stress lead to stone fragmentation
The passage of shock waves can result in the development of solid organ injury
Fragmentation of larger stones may result in the development of ureteric obstruction
The procedure is uncomfortable for patients and analgesia is required during the procedure and afterwards.
What is ureteroscopy?
A ureteroscope is passed retrograde through the ureter and into the renal pelvis
It is indicated in individuals (e.g. pregnant females) where lithotripsy is contraindicated and in complex stone disease
In most cases a stent is left in situ for 4 weeks after the procedure.
what is percutaneous nephrolithotomy?
In this procedure, access is gained to the renal collecting system
Once access is achieved, intra corporeal lithotripsy or stone fragmentation is performed and stone fragments removed.
How are renal stones prevented?
Calcium stones may be due to hypercalciuria, which is found in up to 5-10% of the general population.
high fluid intake
add lemon juice to drinking water
avoid carbonated drinks
limit salt intake
potassium citrate may be beneficial NICE
thiazides diuretics (increase distal tubular calcium resorption)
Oxalate stones
cholestyramine reduces urinary oxalate secretion
pyridoxine reduces urinary oxalate secretion
Uric acid stones
allopurinol
urinary alkalinization e.g. oral bicarbonate
what conditions typically present with a nephritic syndrome?
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis - aka crescentic glomerulonephritis
rapid onset, often presenting as acute kidney injury
causes include Goodpasture’s, ANCA positive vasculitis
IgA nephropathy - aka Berger’s disease, mesangioproliferative GN
typically young adult with haematuria following an URTI
there is considerable pathological overlap with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP)
What conditions may present with mixed nephritic/nephrotic presentation?
Diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis
classical post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in child
presents as nephritic syndrome / acute kidney injury
most common form of renal disease in SLE
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (mesangiocapillary)
type 1: cryoglobulinaemia, hepatitis C
type 2: partial lipodystrophy
what conditions usually present with nephrotic syndrome?
Minimal change disease
typically a child with nephrotic syndrome (accounts for 80%)
causes: Hodgkin’s, NSAIDs
good response to steroids
Membranous glomerulonephritis
presentation: proteinuria / nephrotic syndrome / chronic kidney disease
cause: infections, rheumatoid drugs, malignancy
1/3 resolve, 1/3 respond to cytotoxics, 1/3 develop chronic kidney disease
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
may be idiopathic or secondary to HIV, heroin
presentation: proteinuria / nephrotic syndrome / chronic kidney disease
What is the mechanism of action of spironolactone?
Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist which acts in the cortical collecting duct.
aldosterone antagonists lead to increased sodium (and water) excretion while conserving potassium
Indications for Spironolactone?
ascites: patients with cirrhosis develop a secondary hyperaldosteronism. Relatively large doses such as 100 or 200mg are often used
hypertension: used in some patients as a NICE ‘step 4’ treatment
heart failure (see RALES study below)
nephrotic syndrome
Conn’s syndrome