Spontaneous massive bilateral peri-renal hemorrhage as a complication of ANCA-negative granulomatous vasculitis.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage (SRH) is a rare, life-threatening clinical entity most commonly associated with renal cell cancers. Systemic vasculitis has also been described as a rare cause of SRH. The current report describes a patient with acute kidney failure complicated by massive SRH, which occurred in the setting of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-negative systemic necrotizing angiocentric granulomatous vasculitis involving multiple organs with minimal constitutional symptoms and no respiratory tract involvement.

Effect of α -Lipoic Acid on Oxidative Stress in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Intravenous Iron.

Oxidative stress is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Intravenous (IV) iron has been shown to increase oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in oxidative stress markers following administration of IV sodium ferric gluconate (SFG) to ESRD patients with and without administration of the antioxidant, α -lipoic acid.

Activation of FGF-23 mediated vitamin D degradative pathways by cholecalciferol.

Context: The optimal circulating concentration of 25(OH) vitamin D is controversial.

Objective: The aim was to investigate if FGF-23 and 24,25(OH)2D can guide cholecalciferol replacement.

Design: Oral cholecalciferol (10,000 IU weekly) administered to subjects with 25(OH)D levels < 20 ηg/mL and eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.

C20209T prothrombin gene mutation associated deep venous thrombosis in a hemodialysis patient.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents the formation of a blood clot in one of the deep veins of human body. The significant morbidity and mortality rates associated with VTE have spurred increasing investigations seeking to identify causative factors for this complex condition. While the most frequent causes of an inherited hypercoagulable state are the Factor V Leiden mutation and the prothrombin gene mutation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis has helped to identify other rare causes of inherited VTE.

Renal function recovery in dialysis dependent patients.

Background: Recovery of renal function in patients requiring chronic dialysis is an uncommon phenomenon. It is important to identify these patients to avoid unnecessary, complicated and expensive dialysis. There are no recognized indicators that actually suggest such revival of renal function.

Chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus predict resistance to vitamin D replacement therapy.

Background: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is a marker of nutritional status; however, chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in alterations in vitamin D metabolism, including the loss of vitamin D-binding proteins and alterations in CYP27B1 and CYP24 enzymes that metabolize 25(OH)D. This study was designed to determine the predictors of responsiveness to correction of vitamin D deficiency with oral vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) in adults.

Methods: A retrospective study of 183 veterans with 25(OH)D level <30 ng/mL, who were treated with 50,000 IU per week of vitamin D2, was performed.

Assessment of 24,25(OH)2D levels does not support FGF23-mediated catabolism of vitamin D metabolites.

Progressive elevations of fibroblastic growth factor 23 (FGF23) in chronic kidney disease may reduce serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) levels, via stimulation of 24-hydroxylase (Cyp24a1)-mediated catabolism of these vitamin D metabolites. To test this possibility, we measured serum concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)(2)D), a product of Cyp24a1 hydroxylation of 25(OH)D, in the Col4a3 knockout mouse, a model of Alport syndrome-derived chronic kidney disease, and in patients with chronic kidney disease of variable severity. There was an inverse correlation between serum FGF23 and both 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D in the mouse model, but no significant relationship was observed in the cross-sectional patient cohort.

Endovascular stent migration to the right ventricle causing myocardial injury.

Central stenosis of the subclavian and internal jugular veins is common in end stage renal disease. Treatment of these stenoses is difficult as these veins respond poorly to angioplasty alone and often require metallic stents to ensure patency. These stents are not without complications.

Severe hypernatremia correction rate and mortality in hospitalized patients.

Introduction: Hypernatremia is a common problem in hospitalized patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to evaluate whether physicians follow the recommended guidelines for the rate of correction of hypernatremia of ≤0.5 mEq/L/hr and to evaluate the effect of the rate of correction of severe hypernatremia on the mortality of hospitalized patients.

Lactic acidosis in restrained cocaine intoxicated patients.

Severe lactic acidosis has been reported in patients struggling against restraints, especially in association with the use of stimulant drugs, such as cocaine. Profound acidosis occurring under these conditions can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, autonomic instability and cardiac arrest, a syndrome known as restraint associated asphyxia. Early recognition of this condition and removing the stimulus for lactic acid production (excessive muscle activity) by aggressive sedation and ventilatory assistance, coupled with fluid administration to improve tissue perfusion and lactate metabolism, can be life-saving.

Renal disease in AIDS: it is not always HIVAN.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic carrier state to severe immunodeficiency. The most common renal lesion, HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), is a sclerosing glomerulopathy. However, potentially reversible causes of renal disease in HIV-infected patients should also be considered.