Massive pulmonary embolism treated with a reduced dose of alteplase in a patient with acute renal failure

There are some doubts whether in a severe renal failure the dose of alteplase should not be modified, especially when its plasma clearance may be decreased by liver ischemia. The authors present a case of a 67-year old woman with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) and acute renal failure (creatinine 580 micromol/l) of a mixed etiology (renal calculosis with hydronephrosis and shock as PE presentation). Alteplase administration (10 mg bolus followed by reduced to 50 mg two hours infusion) resulted in hemodynamic stabilization but was complicated by gross subcutaneous hematomas, intensive epistaxis and hematuria, and hemoglobin decrease which required blood transfusions.     

Reversible renal failure after treatment with omeprazole

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor widely used in the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. In a 73-year-old man we describe renal failure due to acute interstitial nephritis after use of omeprazol during 4 months. Unexpected renal failure without signs of hydronephrosis should always provoke awareness of drug reaction, omeprazole being one of the possible drugs.     

Hepatitis A complicated with acute renal failure and high hepatocyte growth factor: A case report

A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital. Laboratory data showed severe liver injury and that the patient was positive for immunoglobulin M anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies. He was also complicated with severe renal dysfunction and had an extremely high level of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Therefore, he was diagnosed with severe acute liver failure with acute renal failure (ARF) caused by HAV infection. Prognosis was expected to be poor because of complications by ARF and high serum HGF. However, liver and renal functions both improved rapidly without intensive treatment, and he was subsequently discharged from our hospital on the 21^st hospital day. Although complication with ARF and high levels of serum HGF are both important factors predicting poor prognosis in acute liver failure patients, the present case achieved a favorable outcome. Endogenous HGF might play an important role as a regenerative effector in injured livers and kidneys.     

Hypertension in the intensive care unit

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The severity of hypertensive crises is determined by the presence of target organ damage rather than the level of blood pressure. Hypertensive urgencies with no signs of organ dysfunction can therefore be distinguished from hypertensive emergencies in which the presence of severe end-organ damage requires prompt therapy. Hypertensive emergencies include acute aortic dissection, hypertensive encephalopathy, acute myocardial ischaemia, severe pulmonary oedema, eclampsia, and acute renal failure. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: Malignant hypertension is a severe form of hypertensive emergency demanding special consideration because of the risks of permanent blindness and renal failure. Catecholamine excess and postoperative hypertension may also sometimes require urgent treatment. The management of patients with hypertensive emergencies must be ensured in an intensive care unit, and must include the parenteral administration of antihypertensive drugs and accurate blood pressure monitoring. SUMMARY: Except for acute aortic dissection, the recommended goals of treatment are a reduction of mean arterial pressure by no more than 20% during the first few hours, because an abrupt fall in blood pressure in patients with preexisting hypertension may induce severe ischaemic injury in major organs as a result of the chronic adaptation of autoregulation mechanisms. Hypertension in the context of acute stroke should be treated only rarely and cautiously because of the presence of impaired autoregulation.     

Therapiemanagement bei Malaria

Plasmodium falciparum and to some extent malaria caused by other species of Plasmodia can quickly lead to cerebral malaria, acute renal failure, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. The mortality rate for patients with severe malaria lies around 10%. Malaria must be given priority in the differential diagnosis of travelers returning febrile from endemic areas. Treatment requires prompt administration of safe and fast-acting antimalarials, which in severe malaria is treatment with quinine or artesunate. Hospitals must be prepared to diagnose and treat malaria patients-or have a standard operating procedure for transferring the patient to a specialized center.     

血液净化联合中药治疗重型肝炎合并肾功能衰竭

目的观察血液净化联合中药治疗重型肝炎合并肾功能衰竭对降低其病死率的作用。方法对２７例重型肝炎合并肾功能衰竭患者采用血液净化疗法联合中药治疗。结果２７例中８例存活，１９例死亡，４例直接死于肾功能衰竭。结论该疗法在降低重型肝炎合并肾功能衰竭病死率可能有一定效果，但应早期诊断、早期治疗，并加强原发病—肝功能衰竭的治疗     

B超引导下微创经皮肾镜取石术建立经皮肾通道失败原因分析

目的：分析B超引导下微创经皮肾镜取石术建立经皮肾通道失败的原因,探讨建立经皮肾通道失败的防治对策。方法对2008-02～2012-12采用B超引导下微创经皮肾镜取石术治疗上尿路结石500例的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果有42例由于穿刺不成功或穿刺成功后扩张时通道丢失未能建立经皮肾通道,但无穿刺及扩张相关大出血、肾周血肿、尿瘘、结肠及胸膜损伤等并发症发生。穿刺失败原因：体型肥胖10例,脊柱畸形6例,多囊肾3例,肾脏旋转不良3例;穿刺成功后扩张时通道丢失原因：有患侧肾开放取石史再次行经皮肾镜取石术7例,肾重度积水4例,鹿角形结石9例。结论体型肥胖、脊柱畸形、多囊肾、肾脏旋转不良、有患侧肾开放取石史、肾重度积水、鹿角形结石均是B超引导下微创经皮肾镜取石术建立经皮肾通道失败的原因,术前术者应充分考虑以上因素可能对手术产生的影响,认真设计经皮肾通道,可减少建立经皮肾通道失败的概率。     

Acute rhabdomyolysis during pneumococcal pneumonia: two cases

Acute rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and biological syndrome generally with a toxic or traumatic cause. Only 5% of cases are infectious, and rarely in relation to a pneumococcal infection. We report two cases of acute rhabdomyolysis which developed in patients with severe Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. No other cause could be identified in these two patients aged 32 and 37 years. Rhabdomyolysis was discovered in the first patient because of acute kidney failure and elevated serum transaminase levels. The second patient presented an inflammatory edema affecting the soft tissues. Blood cultures isolated a pneumococcus in both patients. The rhabdomyolysis regressed favorably in both patients despite the transient renal failure in the first patient. Prognosis is generally poor for rhabdomyolysis during the course of pneumococcal pneumonia, with increased morbidity and mortality for these infections. Early detection of bacteriemia enables rapid and adequate treatment and prevention of renal failure.     

Mycobacterium gordonae urinary infection in a renal transplant recipient

Abstract: The authors present a case of urinary infection by a non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species, Mycobacterium gordonae , in a renal transplant recipient. A 29-year-old female patient had persistent sterile pyuria after her second kidney transplant. An NTM, M. gordonae , was isolated, and the patient was started on antituberculous treatment, with resolution of leukocyturia. Ureteral stenosis with hydronephrosis and deterioration of allograft function was diagnosed later on and, despite the introduction of intraureteral catheter and resolution of hydronephrosis, there was no recovery of baseline renal function. She ultimately resumed dialysis after a severe pyelonephritis. The authors discuss the problems of establishing diagnosis of infection (versus colonization) by NTM and highlight the difficulty of treating these infections, especially because of the possible interaction with immunosuppressant agents, facilitating anti-allograft immune response.     

连续性肾脏替代疗法在重症急性肾功能衰竭治疗中的应用

目的 回顾分析连续性肾脏替代疗法（ＣＲＲＴ）在重症急性肾功能衰竭（ＡＲＦ）治疗中的应用和影响预后的因素。方法 １９８６年５月至１９９９年１月用ＣＲＲＴ治疗重症ＡＲＦ患者１０１例,回顾性分析了患者临床特点、ＣＲＲＴ方法和预后。结果 １０１例患者中６０例（５９．４％）度过疾病的急性期（存活组）,４１例（４０．６％）在急性期死亡（死亡组）,对两组患者的临床统计学资料、肾功能衰竭的特点、疾病严重程度（ＡＰ     

Acute renal failure in a case of nephrotic syndrome secondary to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis

Nephrotic syndrome is infrequently complicated with appearance of acute renal failure and minimal change disease is the glomerulopathy more usually involved. Pathogenesis is unclear and three possible mechanisms it has been proposed to explain the decrease of glomerular filtration rate: a severe reduction of glomerular permeability, the presence of acute tubular necrosis or an increased intrarenal pressure related with interstitial oedema. Here we present a 36 years-old-male with a nephrotic syndrome caused by focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis who developed an anuric acute renal failure. Renal function did not change despite oedema removal with haemodialysis and only after corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy introduction we observed a rapid recovery of urinary output and resolution of acute renal failure. Renal biopsy did not show signs of tubular damage or obstruction with proteins nor significant interstitial oedema. Therefore, in this case we think acute renal failure was caused by a severe reduction in glomerular ultrafiltration rate and steroids were the effective treatment that allowed recovery of renal function.     

Two cases of acute renal failure associated with non-fulminant acute hepatitis A]

Hepatitis A is generally regarded as a mild, self-limiting disease of the liver. Acute renal failure has rarely been reported in association with non-fulminant acute hepatitis A. Acute tubular necrosis is the most common form of renal injury in such patients. We recently experienced two cases of hepatitis A in which acute renal failure occurred early in the course of the illness and had a clinical course suggestive of acute tubular necrosis. In both patients, the clinical course of renal dysfunction was almost parallel to that of hepatic dysfunction. Hemodialysis was performed in patient 1 because of severe uremia despite maintaining urine output more than 2,000 mL per day. On the other hand, hemodialysis was not performed in patient 2 who showed a rapid recovery of renal dysfunction. The renal biopsy of patient 1 demonstrated typical findings of acute tubular necrosis on microscopy.     

Use of charcoal hemoperfusion with sequential hemodialysis to reduce serum methotrexate levels in a patient with acute renal insufficiency

Acute renal failure induced by methotrexate can be complicated by prolonged high serum levels of methotrexate, resulting in pancytopenia and severe mucositis. The role of dialysis in these patients has not been well elucidated. Serum methotrexate levels were successfully lowered in a patient with methotrexate-induced acute renal failure by charcoal hemoperfusion and sequential hemodialysis. No rebound in serum methotrexate levels was observed after perfusion, a phenomenon previously reported as limiting the usefulness of this procedure.     

Endotoxin adsorption therapy using polymyxin B-immobilized fiber as a treatment for septic shock-associated severe acute cholangitis

The application of endotoxin adsorption therapy for severe acute cholangitis is controversial. We present a survival case of septic shock and multiple organ failure due to severe acute cholangitis. The patient was treated by endotoxin adsorption therapy using polymyxin B-immobilized fiber because he continued to remain in shock even after successful endoscopic nasobiliary drainage. The patient was an 84-year-old male diagnosed with acute cholangitis and acute pancreatitis who was transferred to our department because of shock and severe dyspnea. The patient had already developed acute respiratory failure, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We performed endoscopic nasobiliary drainage immediately, but the patient continued to remain in shock and plasma endotoxin level was markedly elevated at 133.6 pg/mL. Therefore, we performed direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber. On starting the hemoperfusion, blood pressure and urine volume increased, and the plasma endotoxin level reduced considerably. On the basis of our experience in this case, we think that direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber may be a useful modality in the management of severe acute cholangitis.     

Pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and treatment of tumor lysis syndrome

Tumor lysis syndrome is an oncologic emergency that is characterized by severe electrolyte abnormalities and, frequently, by acute renal failure. The syndrome typically occurs in patients with lymphoproliferative malignancies, most often after initiation of treatment. The pathophysiology involves massive tumor cell lysis resulting in the release of large amounts of potassium, phosphate, and uric acid. Deposition of uric acid and calcium phosphate crystals in the renal tubules may lead to acute renal failure, which is often exacerbated by concomitant intravascular volume depletion. The kidney normally excretes these products, and consequently preexisting renal failure exacerbates the metabolic derangements of tumor lysis syndrome. Standard treatment aims to clear high plasma levels of potassium, uric acid, and phosphorus; correct acidosis; and prevent acute renal failure by way of aggressive intravenous hydration; lowering serum potassium levels; use of allopurinol; urinary alkalinization; or renal replacement therapy (if necessary). Allopurinol is the standard of care for treating hyperuricemia of malignancy, but is associated with drawbacks. Recombinant urate oxidase (rasburicase), which recently became available in the United States, provides a safe and effective alternative to allopurinol for lowering uric acid levels and preventing uric acid nephropathy.     

Acute obstructive renal failure secondary to retroperitoneal mass

The acute renal failure is a grave pathology, of rapid establishment and relatively frequent in the hospital environment. We can describe three etiological groupS, which are responsible for it, amongst which are emphasized the pre-renal reasons. The obstructive pathology, of minor incidence, increases with the age. It is described the case of a 67-yr-old patient who was admitted in the Nephrology Service because of abrupt decline of the renal function. Among the initial symptoms, he presented arterial hypertension (190/90) and preserved diuresis. Blood analysis: urea 199 mg/dl, creatinine 7.7 mg/dl, without proteinuria. Sonography reported a bilateral ureteral hydronephrosis with simple cyst of possible ischemic origin. In view of the absence of previous biochemical data of renal failure, we considered possible reasons which start with an acute pattern. In initial evaluation, pre-renal etiology was not seen (high blood pressure, right cardiac systole function). The absence of prostatic syndrome and sonography discovery did not justify a diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction. Finally, abdominal-pelvic scan showed a periaortic retroperitoneal mass which included both ureters and appeared to trigger the obstruction. Combined efforts were pursued with the Urology Service, which implanted a bilateral "double J" catheter and later operated surgically on the patient, carrying out an alternating ureterolysis of both ureters. The biopsy manifested a retroperitoneal fibrosis, and the renogram showed a residual renal function of 20% in the right kidney and 80% in the left kidney. Due to the failure of the previous measures and as a last therapeutic recourse when one year had passed from the diagnosis, a continuous regimen with tamoxifen (anti-estrogen drug) in dose of 20 mg/dl each 12 hours was started, which began a progressive remission in the size of the observed mass by scan (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR). The treatment was completed during 12 months and in this time, the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were reduced gradually too. Finally, at the end of the treatment, the magnetic resonance demonstrate the complete disappearance of the fibrosis.     

Acute kidney failure induced by rifampicin

A case of acute renal failure requiring dialysis and associated with a characteristic, fulminant clinical course following the intermittent administration of rifampicin is presented. Renal biopsy showed severe tubular injury and a mild interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrate. Withdrawal of rifampicin led to a compete resolution of renal injury. We review the literature on the pathogenesis and treatment of this syndrome and we discuss the different substrates for acute renal failure induced by rifampicin.     

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty. A potentially effective treatment for preservation of renal function

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) was performed in a group of 12 patients with marked renal functional impairment, severe hypertension, and critical renovascular stenoses in a solitary functioning kidney (ten patients) or bilaterally (two patients). The procedure led to least partial dilation in 11 of the 13 stenoses acted on and stabilization or modest improvement in renal function in seven of the 11 patients in whom some technical success had been achieved. Moreover, the severity of the patients' hypertension appeared to be favorably affected following PTRA. Complications that were encountered included three episodes of nonoliguric acute renal failure, a thrombotic occlusion of a renal artery, a tear of the balloon segment of the catheter requiring femoral arteriotomy, and an episode of gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty may be an effective modality in the treatment of patients with severe renovascular stenosis, renal functional impairment, and hypertension.     

重症急性胰腺炎急性反应期液体复苏体会

目的 探讨重症急性胰腺炎急性反应期液体复苏的经验与体会.方法 回顾性分析97例重症急性胰腺炎患者在急性反应期的液体复苏过程;观察复苏时间及治疗过程中出现呼吸衰竭、肾功能不全等并发症情况;对比输入胶体与晶体液的情况.结果 对照组(A组,未输注胶体液)51例,呼吸衰竭19例,肾功不全16例,心功能不全10例,死亡5例.治疗组(B组,输注胶体液)46例,呼吸衰竭9例,肾功能不全8例,心功能不全3例,死亡2例.早期液体输入量及呼吸衰竭、肾功能衰竭等并发症均明显低于对照组.结论 重症急性胰腺炎急性期液体复苏时及时补充胶体液能减少液体输入量,缩短复苏时间,早期限制性液体输入降低肺损伤等并发症的发生.     

Acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis after high doses percutaneous acetic acid injection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recently, ultrasound-guided percutaneous acetic acid injection has been proposed in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma as an alternative to percutaneous ethanol injection. We report the case of severe renal failure requiring haemodialysis which occurred in a patient with 4 cm hepatocellular carcinoma treated adequately by high dose percutaneous acetic acid injection. The risk of such a serious side effect, likely related to a direct toxic effect of acetic acid, should be of concern when considering percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Acute renal failure has been reported as a complication of acetic acid poisoning, but to our knowledge, we report here the first case of acute renal failure following high dose percutaneous acetic acid injection.