Pre-existing Renal Insufficiency Research Articles

Renal Failure Secondary to Massive Infusion of Vitamin C

To the Editor.— We feel compelled to report the complications of high-dose vitamin C infusion in patients with renal insufficiency. Vitamin C, one of whose main metabolites is oxalate, can produce permanent renal failure in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency. Report of a Case.— A 70-year-old man with documented renal insufficiency came to a "chelation therapy" center for treatment of claudication. Previous testing (one day before) showed the serum creatinine level to be 5.0 mg/dL. An estimated creatinine clearance was 19 mL/min. The serum hematocrit value was 29.4%. To be prepared for chelation—the intravenous (IV) administration of edetic acid—the patient was given 2.5 g of vitamin C in 500 mL of solution of 5% dextrose in water for five hours. The patient tolerated the infusion well; however, 12 hours later he experienced severe lancinating bilateral flank pain, passed 3 mL of hematuria, and became anuric. The patient was transferred to

Acute Renal Failure After Enhanced Computed Tomography

Acute renal failure has been reported after the administration of a variety of radiographic contrast media. We treated a patient with preexisting renal insufficiency who received contrast media during computed tomography (CT) and had acute renal failure. The fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) was observed to be 0.2% before contrast media exposure and 3.5% after exposure. Patients with risk factors leading to contrast media-induced acute renal failure should be carefully screened before receiving enhanced CT.

Experience with artificial urine diversion in children by means of an ileum bladder on the basis of 22 cases (author's transl)

We report on the problem of artificial urine diversion in children on the basis of 22 cases in which we carried out cutaneous uretero-ileostomies according to Bricker. One patient died as a consequence of an pre-existing renal insufficiency. We were able to monitor all other 21 patients subsequently. The patients were questioned on general development and social integration; stoma and the surrounding skin were assessed locally. We examined renal function by means of laboratory parameters and the isotope nephrogram. In summary, it can be said that few problems arise in respect of care and social integration, and that lasting kidney damage can also be reduced by strict monitoring and long-term antibiotic treatment.

Impaired renal function in gout: Its association with hypertensive vascular disease and intrinsic renal disease

Inulin clearance was measured in 624 patients with gout, and para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) clearance in 359; Group I consisted of 397 patients with uncomplicated gout; Group II, 191 patients with hypertension and/or ischemic heart disease; and Group III, 36 patients with chronic renal disease. Mean inulin clearance was normal in Group I, slightly depressed in Group II and more markedly decreased in Group III. There was some reduction in PAH clearance in all groups, but not in the very young patients with no complications. A disproportionate reduction in PAH clearance was noted in Groups II and III, particularly in the older patients with longer duration of gout. Uncomplicated gout, except in rare cases of fulminating gout, does not lead to decreased renal hemodynamics. An increased incidence of tophi correlates with decreased renal function, but incidence of renal calculi does not. Renal insufficiency when seen in patients with gout usually correlates with coexistence of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, or primary preexistent renal insufficiency.

Renal failure induced by contrast material

Transitory and occasionally irreversible renal failure secondary to parenterally administered iodinated contrast material is now well documented. Diabetes and pre-existing renal insufficiency are the two most important risk factors. Intravascular contrast examinations should be avoided whenever possible in high-risk patients, particularly diabetics with creatinine levels of 5 dl./ml. or higher. Alternative methods for the etiologic evaluation of renal failure or hematuria are suggested.

Contrast nephropathy.

Contrast nephropathy is an adverse alteration in renal function induced by intravascular contrast media. Most cases involve transient asymptomatic episodes; yet a significant number involve oliguria and/or permanent renal damage. The incidence of contrast nephropathy in the general hospitalized population is about 5%, and is associated with preexisting renal insufficiency and diabetes mellitus. The incidence in patients with normal renal function is significantly lower - 0.6% following IVP and 2% following angiography. Angiography carries risks inherent to the technical problems of the procedure itself. Preexisting renal insufficiency is the most significant predisposing condition of contrast nephrotoxicity. As many as two-thirds of patients with chronic renal failure may experience an acute deterioration in renal function following exposure. Most of these episodes are transient and benign. Diabetic patients with preexisting renal insufficiency are at an even greater risk; about 75% of such patients will experience renal complications. The risk is even higher in JODM patients with severe renal disease; there is an over 90% incidence of nephrotoxicity with as many as half sustaining permanent renal damage. Adequate hydration does not appear to reduce the incidence of contrast nephropathy in susceptible patients, but it may reduce the likelihood of oliguria and permanent damage. In multiple myeloma the risk of contrast-induced renal failure is low, and probably involves a different pathogenesis than seen in other cases of contrast nephropathy. The incidence in myeloma patients is probably increased in the presence of dehydration and renal insufficiency. Peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, old age and large and repeated doses of contrast may increase the risk in susceptible patients. Prevention of contrast nephropathy must start with identification of patients at risk. In patients with preexisting renal insufficiency, and especially diabetic patients with preexisting renal insufficiency, the anticipated benefit should outweigh the potential risk of exposure to contrast media.

Renal Effects of Enflurane Anesthesia in Fischer 344 Rats with Pre-Existing Renal Insufficiency

Chronic renal insufficiency was produced surgically in Fischer 344 rats in order to evaluate the effects of enflurane anesthesia in animals with impaired renal function. Three groups of rats were anesthetized with enflurane: a control group without impairment of renal function (n = 7); a group with minimal impairment of renal function (n = 6); and a group with moderately severe renal impairment (n = 9). Another group of rats with moderately severe renal impairment (n = 8) was anesthetized with halothane. Two hours of anesthesia resulted only in mild transient depression of urea clearance in all groups. Six hours of anesthesia resulted in a 5 to 10 ml/day increase of urinary output in all groups and small increases in urea nitrogen levels in both groups with moderately severe renal impairment. Deterioration of the model was noted late in the experiment; at sacrifice, animals that had been anesthetized with enflurance and four with halothane had terminal renal failure. The morphological lesion in both groups was similar, resembling glomerulonephritis. Thus, there was no difference in the renal response to enflurane or halothane anesthesia among rats with chronic renal insufficiency.

RADIOCONTRAST-INDUCED RENAL FAILURE

Review of the literature concerning contrast-induced renal dysfunction shows that the currently used agents are remarkably safe with careful patient selection. Clinically apparent kidney failure after their use is essentially nonexistent in those without preexistent renal insufficiency. The incidence rises rapidly in those with azotemia from any cause, however, and diabetic persons with nephropathy are perhaps at special risk. Vigorous volume expansion is possibly effective as a preventive measure and may attenuate adverse effects in those in whom postcontrast dysfunction occurs. New agents are becoming available. It is not yet known if these will prove safer or cost-effective. They have some experimentally demonstrated and theoretic advantages over the presently used agents.

Tetracycline-Induced Aplastic Anemia

A 54-year-old man developed mild renal insufficiency after treatment with gentamicin and cephalothin. He then received tetracycline for eight days, 500 mg orally four times daily, for a total dose of 15 gm. Twelve days after discontinuation of the drug, a severe but reversible aplastic anemia developed. We propose that bone-marrow-toxic concentrations of tetracycline resulted from the preexisting renal insufficiency. Because of the temporal relationship between tetracycline administration and aplastic anemia, and the lack of any other explanation, we conclude that this case illustrates a rare but potentially fatal complication of this drug.

Acute renal failure following drip infusion pyelography

Acute renal failure is a well-known complication of intravenous pyelography in patients with diabetes mellitus or multiple myeloma. We describe 10 patients in whom acute renal failure developed after drip infusion pyelography (DIP). Of these patients, only four were diabetic and none had multiple myeloma. All patients had preexisting renal disease. Serum creatinine was higher than 1.5 mg/dl in eight. Proteinuria, vascular disease, dehydration and fluid overload were all seen in the group. An increase in serum creatinine was noted in all patients within 48 hours following DIP. Urine volume decreased in eight patients within 24 hours after the examination. Renal function returned to the levels pre-DIP in three patients in periods ranging from eight to 10 days. In five others, serum creatinine decreased almost to the prestudy levels but remained elevated by 0.7 to 1.4 mg/dl at the time of the last observation. No patient died of acute renal failure. The data indicate that (1) preexisting renal insufficiency in the setting of systemic disease is the most prevalent predisposing factor to acute renal failure after DIP; (2) renal hypoperfusion of various types seemed to render these patients susceptible to acute renal failure after DIP; (3) in some patients, acute renal failure was not typical of acute tubular necrosis; and (4) recovery of renal function toward base line after a short period of oliguria frequently occurred. In 10 patients acute renal failure developed after drip infusion pyelography (DIP). Six had neither diabetes mellitus nor multiple myeloma. All patients had preexisting renal disease. Proteinuria, vascular disease, fluid overload and volume contraction were noted. All patients had elevated serum creatinine levels and eight were oliguric. Return of renal function toward base line was frequently seen. The prevalent predisposing cause of acute renal failure after DIP was preexisting renal disease on a background of systemic disease.

Renal failure following major angiography

Acute renal failure following angiography with contrast agents is known to occur, but the circumstances and frequency of its occurrence are not well described. A retrospective review of consecutive angiographic procedures performed over a six month interval revealed a 12 per cent incidence of renal failure following angiography. The degree of failure was severe in approximately 30 per cent of these cases and was associated with a significant mortality even though renal function usually recovered. The occurrence of renal failure was associated with the presence of renal insufficiency, impaired liver function, diabetes mellitus, hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria at the time of angiography to a statistically significant level. Furthermore, combinations of these factors, particularly preexisting combined renal insufficiency and impaired liver function, were associated with an increased incidence of acute renal failure. It is concluded that angiography poses a significant hazard to patients with underlying medical problems, particularly those involving the excretory routes of the contrast agent.

Nephrotoxicity of cis‐platinum (II) dichlorodiammine

The renal function of 15 patients receiving cis-platinum (II) dichlorodiammine (CPDD) was examined prospectively in detail to elucidate early evidence of nephrotoxicity. Patients were given a total of 49 couses of CPDD at 20 mg/m2/day for 5 days with 1,000 ml of saline prehydration. Renal function was monitored by serial determinations of serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (measured as 125I-iothalamate clearance) and by measurement of parameters of tubular function, including tubular reabsorption of phosphorus, urine-to-serum glucose ratio, total protein, and total free immunoglobulin light chain excretion, serum electrolytes, and urine pH and specific gravity. There was no significant change in mean serum creatinine within a course of treatment, nor was there a cumulative increase in the serum creatinine. In 9 of 19 evaluable courses there was a small transient fall in glomerular filtration rate with prompt recovery. There was no cumulative decrease in glomerular filtration rate through 3 courses of treatment. Four of the patients with preexisting renal insufficiency suffered no significant additional nephrotoxicity. There was no tubular dysfunction demonstrable in any of the patients. This study represents the first prospective detailed examination of multiple parameters of renal function in patients treated with CPDD and reveals that the only parameter to show any change with this schedule of drug administration was the glomerular filtration rate.

Amyloidosis and Crohn's disease.

Amyloidosis associated with Crohn's disease was found in 7 patients among 85 subjected to intestinal resection for granulomatous enterocolitis. Most of the patients had symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease of relatively short duration before the diagnosis of amyloidosis was made and were without suppurative complications. Systemic involvement was seen in 6 of the patients. One died postoperatively from renal failure, and in 2 other patients kidney transplantation was performed because of deterioration of a pre-existent renal insufficiency. Six patients were alive 6 months to 10 years after amyloidosis was diagnosed. There is great risk of rapid deterioration of kidney function postoperatively in these patients. However, our experience suggests that in some cases the progression of amyloidosis may be delayed or even brought to a halt after surgical treatment of Crohn's disease.

EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS DIAZEPAM ON RENAL FUNCTION

The effect of intravenous diazepam on glomerular filtration rate (inulin clearance) and effective renal plasma flow (PAH clearance) was investigated in 6 children and 12 anesthetized rabbits. A transient decrease in inulin and PAH clearances was observed in 6 children given 4 mg of diazepam intravenously, without measurable change in blood pressure. A similar renal effect was observed in anesthetized rabbits, together with a transient drop in systemic arterial pressure. Continuous infusion of diazepam (5 mg/kg/hr) did not affect renal function in rabbits. We suggest that this effect of diazepam should be borne in mind when the drug is administered to patients undergoing renal clearance studies or to patients with preexistent renal insufficiency.

Effect of intravenous diazepam on renal function.

The effect of intravenous diazepam on glomerular filtration rate (inulin clearance) and effective renal plasma flow (PAH clearance) was investigated in 6 children and 12 anesthetized rabbits. A transient decrease in inulin and PAH clearances was observed in 6 children given 4 mg of diazepam intravenously, without measurable change in blood pressure. A similar renal effect was observed in anesthetized rabbits, together with a transient drop in systemic arterial pressure. Continuous infusion of diazepam (5 mg/kg/hr) did not affect renal function in rabbits. We suggest that this effect of diazepam should be borne in mind when the drug is administered to patients undergoing renal clearance studies or to patients with preexistent renal insufficiency.

RENAL INSUFFICIENCY FOLLOWING TRYPSIN INJECTION INTO THE RENAL ARTERIES

1. The injection of trypsin into both renal arteries of the dog was found to cause an acute necrosis of large sections of the kidney, an immediate excretory insufficiency, and a transient hypertension. 2. Dogs surviving the acute phase of the trypsin injection, developed a chronic renal excretory insufficiency with no hypertension, despite the severity and duration of the renal excretory insufficiency. 3. The application of a Goldblatt clamp to the renal artery of one of the two kidneys, previously injected with trypsin, led to a rise in blood pressure which returned at once to normal when the ischemic kidney was removed, even though the pre-existing renal excretory insufficiency was augmented. This experience demonstrated unequivocally that chronic renal excretory insufficiency and hypertension are not directly related. 4. The application of a Goldblatt clamp to the renal artery of one kidney and the simultaneous injection of trypsin into the other led to a hypertension. The later removal of the ischemic kidney led to a severe renal excretory insufficiency, at the same time the pre-existing hypertension disappeared. This indicated again that renal excretory insufficiency and renal ischemia produced different phenomena and that the former had no direct relation to hypertension.

The rôle of infection in rheumatic children: Hugh McCulloch and Edith I. M. Irvine-Jones. Am. J. Dis. Child., xxxvii, 2, February, 1929

The effect of suprarenal fixation (SR) compared with infrarenal fixation (IR) on renal function during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) remains controversial. This study aims to compare the renal outcomes between fixation types in short- and long-term follow-up.Patients undergoing EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2005 and 2013 were included. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured at baseline and during a follow-up of 5 years. A decline in renal function was defined as a 20% or greater decrease in the eGFR. Changes in the eGFR were compared between SR and IR groups at 1 to 7 days, 30 days, and 1 to 5 years postoperatively. Preoperative renal insufficiency was defined as an eGFR of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and those patients were included in the subanalyses.A total of 358 patients were included. Among these, 267 (74.6%) had SR and 91 (25.4%) had IR fixation. A decrease in renal function occurred more commonly after SR than after IR in 1 to 7 days postoperatively (P = .009), but no difference was noticed at 30 days and 1 to 5 years. Regardless of the fixation method, renal function steadily decreased steadily over time after EVAR (estimate –3.13 per a year; 95% confidence interval, –3.40 to –2.85; P < .001). Patients with preexisting renal insufficiency were included in subgroup analyses, and those with SR were more often found to have a decline in eGFR 5 years postoperatively than their counterparts with IR (59.5% vs 20.0%; P = .036).An immediate postoperative decrease in renal function was seen more often after SR fixation than IR fixation but this difference was transient. SR fixation is a safe method for patients with normal renal function. Long-term results seems to favor IR over SR in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency.