Afectación renal por fármacos, medios diagnósticos y tóxicos

Abstract

Some drugs, diagnostic media and toxic substances can cause structural kidney damage, with a negative effect on their function. This is fundamentally because the kidneys are highly vascularized organs and the main means of eliminating many metabolites. Furthermore, the urinary concentration process means that these substances may accumulate in the tubules and interstices, leading to lesions at this level. In general, non-specific harm is caused in the tubulointerstitial parenchyma, with three characteristic lesion patterns: acute interstitial nephritis, chronic interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis. Vascular or glomerular damage occurs less often. To prevent this pathology it is necessary to know which components can be nephrotoxic and how we should use them in patients who are at risk. Withdrawal of the toxic agent is the key to resolving the symptoms.