Thursday 22 November 2012

Nephrolog




List 6 clinical features of preeclampsia.

Answer

Preeclampsia usually begins in the third trimester, but can occur earlier in patients with preexisting renal disease or hypertension.  It can also occur postpartum with hypertension and seizures 24-48 hours after delivery. It usually resolves 10 days after delivery.

It presents with weight gain and edema, particularly of the hands and face, with variable increases in blood pressure and proteinuria.

There is a fall in renal blood flow and GFR that can lead to hyperuricemia and hypocalciuria as well as acute renal failure.  The acute renal failure is thought to be due to glomerular endotheliosis with swelling of endothelial cells and subendothelial hyaline and fibrin deposition.  Acute tubular necrosis and cortical necrosis can also occur.

Pulmonary edema can occur due to changes in pulmonary capillary permeability.  Hyperreflexia reflects increased nervous system excitability.When preeclampsia is more severe, it can progress to the HELLP syndrome with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets.

Due to decreased placental perfusion, fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios can occur. 

Question 37
List 4 classes of drugs that decrease cyclosporine levels and 4 classes of drugs that increase cyclosporine levels.   

Answer
Cyclosporine is metabolized by the  hepatic cytochrome P450 family of enzymes and excreted into the bile.  As a result of this, a variety of important drug interactions with drugs that either effect or are metabolized by these enzymes can occur.

Drugs that induce CYP3A4 may decrease the levels of cyclosporine.  Examples of these include carbamazepine, nafcillin, nevirapine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.

Drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 may increase the levels of cyclosporine.  Examples of these includeazole antifungals, clarithromycin, diclofenac, doxycycline, erythromycin, isoniazid, nicardipine, propofol, protease inhibitors, quinidine, and verapamil.

Cyclosporine may increase the levels of CVP3A4 substrates.  Examples of substrates include benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, mirtazapine, sildenafil, tacrolimus, and venlafaxine. Selected benzodiazepines (midazolam and triazolam),  and selected HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin and simvastatin) are generally contraindicated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.  

Question 38
A 67 year old female is admitted with congestive heart failure and angina.  She is started on diuretics and an ACE inhibitor and then undergoes cardiac catheterization.  Her creatinine on admission was 150 and rose to 400 three days later. 
List five potential causes for the decline in her renal function.

Answer
Possible diagnoses include:

Congestive heart failure with decreased cardiac output/Overly aggressive diuresis
Use of an ACE inhibitor in the setting of unrecognized bilateral renal artery stenosis.
Contrast nephropathy
Cholesterol embolic disease
Acute interstitial nephritis from drugs  
Question 39
Unfortunately a 37 year old male construction worker suffered severe musculoskeletal injuries after a crane had fallen on him. 
Outline the principals of management to lower his risk of rhabdomyolysis.

Answer
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of myocytes with leakage of potentially toxic cellular contents into the systemic circulation.

The clinical sequelae of rhabdomyolysis include the following:
Acute renal failure (nephrotoxic effect of myoglobin)
Hypovolemia (third-spacing into injured myocytes)
Hyperkalemia (due to myocyte degeneration)
Metabolic acidosis (release of cellular phosphate and sulfate)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

The general recommendations for the treatment of rhabdomyolysis includes fluid resuscitation and prevention of end-organ complications:
Administer isotonic crystalloid 500 mL/h and titrate to maintain a urine output of 200-300 mL/h.  Consider invasive monitoring to assess volume status, if indicated.

Acute renal failure develops in 30-40% of patients with rhabdomyolysis. To prevent renal failure, many authorities advocate urine alkalinization (titrated to urine pH higher than 7), mannitol, and loop diuretics.

After establishing an adequate intravascular volume, mannitol may be administered to enhance renal perfusion

Loop diuretics may be used to enhance urinary output in oliguric patients, despite adequate intravascular volume.

Monitor for the development of compartment syndrome, which would necessitate a consultation for fasciotomy.

Patients with rhabdomyolysis should be supported with renal replacement therapy as indicated.

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