Renal failure
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Hemothorax is a recognized complication of central line insertion into the jugular or subclavian vein. We describe a case of hemothorax consequent upon acute dialysis catheter insertion, which resulted in spinal cord infarction and quadriplegia. We postulate that the extensive mediastinal shift induced after insertion of the catheter resulted in stretching of the veins draining the cord with a resultant drop in perfusion pressure and infarction. This case highlights a hitherto unreported complication of this procedure.
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The critically ill patients may require mechanical ventilation, cardiac mechanical support, and other types of critical support. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive therapy, which provides good cardiopulmonary and end-organ support. Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) exhibit important advantages in terms of clinical tolerance and blood purification. This investigation aims to evaluate the acute renal failure in cardiac patients under ECMO, and assess the effect of combining these two technologies, ECMO and CRRT. ⋯ We conclude that mortality rate for acute renal failure in cardiac patients under ECMO continues to be high. Our data suggest that acute renal failure is generally a part of multiorgan failure. This unique form of acute renal failure, causes generalized edema and fluid overload despite still low serum creatinine and azotemia, and deteriorates rapidly to death. From this study shows, advanced cardiac failure may need more aggressive and early initiation of ECMO support before acute renal failure develops. Acute renal failure in advanced heart failure under ECMO support means a grave sign, need aggressive heart transplantation therapy as soon as possible. Combination of CRRT and ECMO might serve an alternative therapy bridging the temporary replacement treatment and heart transplantation in advanced cardiac patients.
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Nephrolithiasis is an infrequent complication following renal transplantation and acquisition of a stone with the donor kidney is rare. Indeed only a few cases of donor stones causing renal failure have been reported. ⋯ Identification of the precise cause is critical in order to avoid inappropriate therapy. We present our experience of two renal transplant patients who developed obstructive uropathy by stones originating from the donor kidneys.
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A recent report demonstrated that the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) severely depressed left ventricular function. However, the impact of left ventricle (LV) mass index on the renal and patient outcomes in such patients with CABG has previously not been addressed. The present study thus considers this group of patient and uses LV mass index to assess renal and patient outcomes for these patients. ⋯ Of all patients, 72.7% had severe echocardiographic LVH. The echocardiographic data of both dialysis and non-dialysis groups showed no difference with respect to echocardiographic findings. Histories of myocardial infarction were more frequent in the severe LVH group that in the mild LVH group. As for pre-operative systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly lower in the severe LVH group. Ejection fraction was also significantly lower in the severe LVH group than in the mild LVH group. The patients in the severe LVH group were significantly more likely to have received hemodialysis following CABG surgery (62.5% vs. 33.4%, p < 0.05). Mortality was higher in the higher LV mass index group that in the lower LV mass index group (56.2% vs. 25%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION; Patients with a significantly higher LV mass index usually manifest lower pre-operative blood pressure and poor cardiac function. Consequently, these patients will have a poor renal outcome and higher mortality.