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Journal of the Intensive Care Society Nov 2022A 76-year-old lady was found on the floor following a fall at home. She was uninjured, but unable to get up, and had been lying on the floor for roughly 18 hours before...
A 76-year-old lady was found on the floor following a fall at home. She was uninjured, but unable to get up, and had been lying on the floor for roughly 18 hours before her son arrived. She had been unwell for the past 3 days with a cough and shortness of breath. She had a past medical history of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and atrial fibrillation (AF). On examination, she was alert but distressed, clinically dehydrated, febrile and tachycardic. She was treated for community acquired pneumonia with co-amoxiclav and was fluid resuscitated with Hartmann's solution. Her hyperkalaemia was treated with 50 mL of 50% glucose containing 10 units of rapid-acting insulin. Her creatinine kinase (CK) on admission was 200,000, and she had an acute kidney injury (AKI). Urine dipstick was positive for blood. However, her renal function continued to deteriorate over the succeeding 48 h, when she required renal replacement therapy (RRT) due to fluid overload and anuria.
PubMed: 36751356
DOI: 10.1177/17511437211050782 -
Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and... May 2023Naphthalene is a widely available moth repellant in the Asian subcontinent. Toxicity can occur either accidentally or intentionally as a suicide attempt. An overdose can...
Naphthalene is a widely available moth repellant in the Asian subcontinent. Toxicity can occur either accidentally or intentionally as a suicide attempt. An overdose can lead to a variety of clinical symptoms, including intravascular hemolysis, and can sometimes lead to life-threatening clinical situations. A young male was admitted to our center with an alleged history of ingesting an unknown quantity of naphthalene balls (mothballs). He developed methemoglobinemia, intra-vascular hemolysis, anuria, and acute kidney injury (AKI), followed by cardiorespiratory arrest. He was treated successfully with intravenous methylene blue and dialysis. Naphthalene toxicity can lead to methemoglobinemia and intravascular hemolysis. This can result in AKI caused by pigment nephropathy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Hemolysis; Methemoglobinemia; Methylene Blue; Acute Kidney Injury; Naphthalenes
PubMed: 38231722
DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.394000 -
International Journal of Nephrology 2020Acute kidney injury secondary to obstructive nephropathy is a frequent event that accounts for 5 to 10% of all acute kidney injury cases and has a great impact on the... (Review)
Review
Acute kidney injury secondary to obstructive nephropathy is a frequent event that accounts for 5 to 10% of all acute kidney injury cases and has a great impact on the morbidity and mortality in those affected. The obstruction in the urinary tract has a profound impact on kidney function due to damage produced by ischemic and inflammatory factors that have been associated with intense fibrosis. This pathology is characterized by its effects on the management of fluids, electrolytes, and the acid-base mechanisms by the renal tubule; consequently, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, uremia, and anuria are seen during acute kidney injury due to obstructive nephropathy, and after drainage, polyuria may occur. Acute urine retention is the typical presentation. The diagnosis consists of a complete medical history and should include changes in urinary voiding and urgency and enuresis, history of urinary tract infections, hematuria, renal lithiasis, prior urinary interventions, and constipation. Imaging studies included tomography or ultrasound in which hydronephrosis can be seen. Management includes, in addition to drainage of the obstructed urinary tract system, providing supportive treatment, correcting all the metabolic abnormalities, and initiating renal replacement therapy when required. Although its recovery is in most cases favorable, it seems to be an undervalued event in nephrology and urology. This is because it is mistakenly believed that the resolution and recovery of kidney function is complete once the urinary tract is unobstructed. It can have serious kidney sequelae. In this review, we report the epidemiology, incidence, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of acute kidney injury due to obstructive nephropathy.
PubMed: 33312728
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8846622 -
International Urology and Nephrology Nov 2023Diethylene glycol (DEG) is nephrotoxic, potentially resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Its main nephrotoxic by-product is diglycolic acid (DGA). This narrative... (Review)
Review
Diethylene glycol (DEG) is nephrotoxic, potentially resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Its main nephrotoxic by-product is diglycolic acid (DGA). This narrative overview summarizes selected literature with a focus on clinical findings, pathophysiology, diagnosis including morphological features of renal biopsies, and management. The kidney injury in DEG poisoning is secondary to proximal tubular necrosis caused by DGA. Marked vacuolization and edema of epithelial cells obstruct the lumen, reducing urine flow and, consequently, resulting in anuria and uremia. The clinical alterations due to DEG poisoning are dose-dependent. Patients may present with gastrointestinal symptoms and anion gap metabolic acidosis, followed by renal failure, and, later, encephalopathy and neuropathy. Although this three-phase pattern has been described, signs and symptoms may be overlapping. Data about DEG intoxication is scarce. Sometimes the diagnosis is challenging. The management includes supportive care, gastric decontamination, correction of acid-base disorders, and hemodialysis. The understanding of the metabolic processes related to DEG poisoning may contribute to its management, preventing death, serious sequels, or irreversible lesions.
PubMed: 37186212
DOI: 10.1007/s11255-023-03604-2 -
Turkish Archives of Pediatrics Nov 2022
PubMed: 35866320
DOI: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2022.22049 -
Kidney International Sep 2023The management of volume status in dialysis patients is an important determinant of the rate of decline of residual kidney function. The implementation of clinical...
The management of volume status in dialysis patients is an important determinant of the rate of decline of residual kidney function. The implementation of clinical protocols to guide volume management in the in-center hemodialysis unit resulted in comparable rates of development of anuria and decline in residual kidney function when compared with bioimpedance spectroscopy-guided volume management. Clinical judgment and experience are important drivers of patient outcomes. The importance and applicability of bioimpedance spectroscopy in other clinical settings, such as units without clear volume management protocols or in home dialysis units, remain to be seen.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Hemodialysis, Home; Anuria
PubMed: 37599016
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.06.033 -
Medicina Intensiva Nov 2023The use of ultrasound while caring for critically ill patients has been increasing exponentially in the last two decades and now is an essential component of intensive... (Review)
Review
The use of ultrasound while caring for critically ill patients has been increasing exponentially in the last two decades and now is an essential component of intensive care practice. Abdominal ultrasound is an established technique in other specialties, but its use in intensive care has lagged behind other ultrasound modalities. However, its potential role in the diagnosis and management of patients will make it an invaluable tool for intensivists. The main use of abdominal ultrasound at the bedside is for free fluid detection in trauma patients. But abdominal ultrasound can also help us diagnose patients with abdominal pain, hypovolemia or anuria, and it can guide us during procedures such as paracentesis or bladder catheter and gastric tube placement.
Topics: Humans; Critical Care; Ultrasonography; Abdomen; Abdominal Pain; Paracentesis; Hypovolemia; Abdominal Injuries
PubMed: 38783747
DOI: 10.1016/j.medine.2023.06.008 -
Kidney Medicine Jun 2023Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is the predominant form of acute kidney replacement therapy used for critically ill adult patients with acute kidney injury...
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE
Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is the predominant form of acute kidney replacement therapy used for critically ill adult patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Given the variability in CKRT practice, a contemporary understanding of its epidemiology is necessary to improve care delivery.
STUDY DESIGN
Multicenter, prospective living registry.
SETTING & POPULATION
1,106 critically ill adults with AKI requiring CKRT from December 2013 to January 2021 across 5 academic centers and 6 intensive care units. Patients with pre-existing kidney failure and those with coronavirus 2 infection were excluded.
EXPOSURE
CKRT for more than 24 hours.
OUTCOMES
Hospital mortality, kidney recovery, and health care resource utilization.
ANALYTICAL APPROACH
Data were collected according to preselected timepoints at intensive care unit admission and CKRT initiation and analyzed descriptively.
RESULTS
Patients' characteristics, contributors to AKI, and CKRT indications differed among centers. Mean (standard deviation) age was 59.3 (13.9) years, 39.7% of patients were women, and median [IQR] APACHE-II (acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation) score was 30 [25-34]. Overall, 41.1% of patients survived to hospital discharge. Patients that died were older (mean age 61 vs. 56.8, < 0.001), had greater comorbidity (median Charlson score 3 [1-4] vs. 2 [1-3], P < 0.001), and higher acuity of illness (median APACHE-II score 30 [25-35] vs. 29 [24-33], = 0.003). The most common condition predisposing to AKI was sepsis (42.6%), and the most common CKRT indications were oliguria/anuria (56.2%) and fluid overload (53.9%). Standardized mortality ratios were similar among centers.
LIMITATIONS
The generalizability of these results to CKRT practices in nonacademic centers or low-and middle-income countries is limited.
CONCLUSIONS
In this registry, sepsis was the major contributor to AKI and fluid management was collectively the most common CKRT indication. Significant heterogeneity in patient- and CKRT-specific characteristics was found in current practice. These data highlight the need for establishing benchmarks of CKRT delivery, performance, and patient outcomes. Data from this registry could assist with the design of such studies.
PubMed: 37274539
DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100641 -
Klinicka Onkologie : Casopis Ceske a... 2020Acute renal impairment is a relatively rare complication of anti-tumour immunotherapy. The incidence of renal toxicity due to immuno-oncological therapy is relatively... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Acute renal impairment is a relatively rare complication of anti-tumour immunotherapy. The incidence of renal toxicity due to immuno-oncological therapy is relatively low, approximately 2% in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and 4.5% with combination treatments with PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and a CTLA-4 inhibitor. The most common underlying pathology is acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Autoimmune nephropathy presenting as a electrolyte imbalance may also occur during immuno-oncological therapy. Discontinuation of immunotherapy and corticosteroid therapy are indicated in patients with moderate to severe renal toxicity.
CASE
A 61-year-old patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma was admitted to hospital after 7 months of treatment with nivolumab for general deterioration, severe weakness, nausea, and anorexia. Laboratory examinations showed worsening of the glomerular filtration rate, severe hyperkalaemia, and metabolic acidosis. Thyroid hormone and cortisol levels were within normal ranges. Renal tubular acidosis resulting from immuno-oncological therapy was diagnosed, and treatment with methylprednisolone was initiated. Electrolyte abnormalities and symptoms improved rapidly, after which the dose of prednisone was gradually reduced; however, after a reduction to 5 mg daily, hyperkalaemia recurred and the patient was kept on a maintenance dose of 10 mg prednisone administered orally on a daily basis thereafter. Immunotherapy was not reintroduced.
CONCLUSION
Renal toxicity following immuno-oncological therapy usually presents initially as an increase in the serum creatinine level without any clinical signs or symptoms. Electrolyte disturbances, oliguria, anuria, and swelling may develop gradually. Endocrine and metabolic disorders such as new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus, hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency, and hypothyroidism should be excluded as possible causes of electrolyte abnormalities. Corticosteroids at the usual immunosuppressive dose are the treatment of choice. The prognosis is generally favourable because renal toxicity responds well to corticosteroid treatment regardless of the underlying pathology.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Humans; Immunotherapy; Kidney Diseases; Middle Aged; Prognosis
PubMed: 32075386
DOI: 10.14735/amko202029