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Query: UMLS:C0035078 (renal failure)
 31,970 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Renovascular hypertension affects 15%-30% of patients who have clinical criteria suggestive of renovascular disease. Noninvasive screening is crucial for patient selection prior to conventional angiography and renal revascularization. Renal scintigraphy has been reported to be sensitive for detection of renovascular hypertension, but some of its limitations (eg, in the setting of bilateral renal artery stenosis and renal failure) should be considered. Doppler ultrasonography (US) allows direct evaluation of the renal arteries as well as transrenal Doppler waveform analysis, but it remains operator dependent. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is becoming an excellent alternative to conventional angiography. The main limiting factors of this technique are inadequate visualization of segmental and accessory renal arteries as well as a tendency toward overestimation of stenoses. Given the high cost and low availability of MR angiography, scintigraphy and Doppler US should be considered the primary studies in screening for renovascular hypertension. MR angiography could be reserved for patients with inconclusive scintigraphic and Doppler US results, patients with high clinical suspicion of renovascular hypertension, and patients with a contraindication to conventional angiography.
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PMID:Imaging of renovascular hypertension: respective values of renal scintigraphy, renal Doppler US, and MR angiography. 1099 24

Early recognition and determination of the cause of renal failure in patients with ESLD can be difficult because of the potential interplay among various factors and the wide array of differential diagnoses. A systematic approach, however, assists clinicians to identify common and potentially reversible causes of ARF. It is crucial to distinguish patients with functional renal failure, such as HRS, from those with advanced irreversible renal disease. Isolated liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for the former, and CLKT may be a therapeutic option for the latter. Because of the ever-increasing shortage of donor organs, CLKT must be used judiciously. Kidney biopsy may resolve diagnostic dilemmas. Management of renal complications post-OLT remains a challenge for the physician caring for transplant patients. Modification of nephrotoxic immunosuppressive regimens to avoid postoperative ARF/CRI has met with variable results. Azathioprine has been used in place of cyclosporine. Therapy with polyclonal antilymphocyte preparations or anti-OKT3 monoclonal antibodies (Orthoclone) should be reserved for patients with delayed graft function and for the treatment of acute rejection. The routine use of these agents as prophylactic therapy is not recommended. Data on the impact of renal insufficiency on patient and allograft outcome are inconsistent. Nonetheless, the authors' literature review suggests that renal failure associated with sepsis and, except for patients with HRS, renal failure requiring dialysis are the most consistent features associated with a worse outcome. The need for preoperative or postoperative dialysis has no adverse effect on survival in patients with HRS. On long-term follow-up, despite a greater percentage of patients reaching ESRD in patients with HRS compared with their non-HRS counterparts, the overall outcome in patients with HRS following OLT is favorable. In patients with HRS requiring prolonged dialysis (i.e., greater than 4 weeks), however, irreversible renal failure may develop, necessitating CLKT. Ideally, timely referral of patients for OLT may avoid this complication and obviate the need for double organ transplantation.
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PMID:The kidney in liver transplantation. 1123 62

Liver-kidney transplantation (LKT) should be reserved for those recipients with primary disease affecting both organs. However, increasing transplant list waiting times have increased the development and duration of acute renal failure before liver transplantation. Furthermore, the need for posttransplant calcineurin inhibitors can render healing from acute renal failure difficult. Because of the increasing requests for and controversy over the topic of a kidney with a liver transplant (OLT) when complete failure of the kidney is not known, the following article will review the impact of renal failure on liver transplant outcome, treatment of peri-OLT renal failure, rejection rates after LKT, survival after LKT, and information on renal histology and progression of disease into the beginnings of an algorithm for making a decision about combined LKT.
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PMID:Identification of patients best suited for combined liver-kidney transplantation: part II. 1191 May 64

Venomous snakebites, although uncommon, are a potentially deadly emergency in the United States. Rattlesnakes cause most snakebites and related fatalities. Venomous snakes in the United States can be classified as having hemotoxic or neurotoxic venom. Patients with venomous snakebites present with signs and symptoms ranging from fang marks, with or without local pain and swelling, to life-threatening coagulopathy, renal failure, and shock. First-aid techniques such as arterial tourniquets, application of ice, and wound incisions are ineffective and can be harmful; however, suction with a venom extractor within the first five minutes after the bite may be useful. Conservative measures, such as immobilization and lymphatic constriction bands, are now advocated until emergency care can be administered. Patients with snakebites should undergo a comprehensive work-up to look for possible hematologic, neurologic, renal, and cardiovascular abnormalities. Equine-derived antivenin is considered the standard of care; however, a promising new treatment is sheep-derived antigen binding fragment ovine (CroFab), which is much less allergenic. Although there is no universal grading system for snakebites, a I through IV grading scale is clinically useful as a guide to antivenin administration. Surgical intervention with fasciotomy is now reserved for rare cases. Snakebite prevention should be taught to patients.
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PMID:Venomous snakebites in the United States: management review and update. 1199 19

Melphalan combined with prednisone (MP) has been accepted as the standard therapy for previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM) because most studies demonstrate only a modest survival benefit of combination chemotherapy regimens when compared with MP. There have been modest gains with more intensive myeloablative regimens in combination with blood stem cell support, particularly for patients with early primary refractory disease who subsequently achieve partial remission, and for the approximately 25% to 35% of patients achieving complete remission. To preserve the ability to adequately collect stem cells, the use of alkylating agents, such as melphalan, should be limited in the previously untreated patient with myeloma (including those older than 65 years of age) who is a candidate for myeloablative therapy. Pulse dexamethasone-containing regimens provide rapid responses and may be considered the first regimens of choice. Although vincristine/doxorubicin/dexamethasone (VAD) produces responses in approximately 50% to 70% of patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma, use early in the disease has not improved survival. Outside of a specific study protocol, this regimen may be best reserved for patients with refractory (particularly relapsing) disease. Notable exceptions include patients with renal failure or plasma cell leukemia in whom the rapid responses provided by VAD may avoid potentially permanent, serious complications. Recently, new agents with novel mechanisms of action (ie, thalidomide, immunomodulatory drugs, proteosome inhibitors) have demonstrated activity in resistant myeloma. Because these agents are likely to show activity alone or in combination, newly diagnosed patients and previously untreated patients should be considered for clinical trials. Thalidomide/dexamethasone has already produced response rates of 65% to 75% in previously untreated patients. Its ease of administration along with stem cell preservation are likely to make this, followed by myeloablative therapy with stem cell support, the treatment of choice for untreated myeloma as confirmatory studies are completed.
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PMID:Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. 1205 69

Ramipril is safe and effective in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure, but this is not reviewed here. Ramipril is a lipophilic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor suitable for once-daily administration. In addition to decreasing angiotensin II and increasing bradykinin levels, ramipril increases the levels of vasodilatory renal medullary neutral lipids and inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation of glomerulus cells. Ramipril also decreases transforming growth factor-beta in the kidney. Changes in kidney structure and proteinuria are characteristics of the streptozotocin (STZ) rat model of diabetes, and these are prevented by ramipril. In STZ diabetes, doses of ramipril that have no effect on blood pressure reverse vascular hypertrophy. In animal models of kidney failure (subtotal nephrectomy, stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats), ramipril is renoprotective and some of this renoprotective effect is independent of blood pressure lowering. In humans, clinical doses of ramipril probably do not modify glucose metabolism but do reduce the levels of LDL- and HDL-cholesterol. In clinical trials of renal effects, ramipril has been shown to increase cortical nephron flow in hypertension and to reduce proteinuria in patients with and without diabetes and/or hypertension. Some of the smaller clinical trials showed beneficial effects on kidney function with low doses of ramipril that do not lower blood pressure. A large clinical trial in nondiabetic proteinuria, the Ramipril Efficacy in Nephropathy (REIN) trial, has shown that ramipril 1.25 mg/day, which does not lower blood pressure, arrested the decline in glomerular filtration rate and prolonged the time to end-stage renal failure. In diabetic patients who have had a previous cardiovascular event or having one other cardiovascular risk factor, the MICRO-HOPE clinical trial showed that ramipril lowers the combined risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death by 25%. In conclusion, ramipril has proven beneficial effects in kidney disease alone or in association with diabetes and in diabetes without kidney disease, and is the pril for diabetes and kidney disease. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.
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PMID:Is Ramipril the pril for diabetes and kidney disease? 1276 20

This series of articles on the management of glomerulonephritis (GN) has been prepared by a team of experts in the evidence-based format consistent with peer review of published data. Each author was asked to review the literature for his assigned histological type, with emphasis on therapy and limited to adult studies. The age limit was not considered for minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, because of the high prevalence of these glomerulopathies in children. The particular treatment recommendations for each type of glomerular disease were graded by each author according to the amount of evidence provided in these reviewed studies. The first two articles concentrate on indications and techniques for kidney biopsy. Each subsequent article focuses on and describes the highest level of evidence supporting the recommendation for therapy in IgA nephropathy (Ig-GN), minimal change nephropathy (MCN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), lupus nephritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, HCV-associated cryoglobulinaemia and renal involvement in paraproteinemic disorders. The article on IgA nephropathy emphasises the importance of carefully evaluating both clinical and histologic findings before settling on the treatment. The recent, renewed interest in steroids and many immunosuppressive agents is discussed in detail. Recommendations related to the patient's age are also provided. MCN and FSGS are treated together because these forms share similar evidence-based recommendations. For both of these diseases, in fact, the initial treatment approach in children should be prednisone or prednisolone for four to six weeks. The therapeutic response in adults is slower than in children, but adults experience fewer relapses and a more prolonged remission. There is also a discussion on treatment of relapse, frequent relapsing disease and true steroid-resistant disease as well as the role of new immunosuppressive agents. Membranous nephropathy is a frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and, in one third of these patients, leads to end-stage renal disease. However, the treatment of this form is as yet a matter of discussion. Based on extensive critical review of the literature, the following recommendations are put forward: (a) no treatment in the absence of nephrotic syndrome; (b) patients with heavy proteinuria should receive a 6-month treatment with i.v. methylprednisolone (MP) pulse therapy for three consecutive days followed by oral MP (0.4 mg/kg/day) (months 1, 3, 5) and chlorambucil or cyclophosphamide (months 2, 4, 6); (c) the dosage of chlorambucil or cyclophosphamide should be lowered in older patients; (d) cyclosporine is a second-choice treatment. The treatment of lupus nephritis depends on the histologic class. No specific treatment is usually necessary for class I and IIA. Oral steroids are indicated in patients with class IIb, proteinuria and active systemic disease. Steroids and azathioprine are the treatment of choice for patients with class III and IV, but cyclosporine can be an effective alternative therapy. Cyclophosphamide is more effective than azathioprine when severe acute renal involvement is present. The treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis depends mainly on clinical presentation, oral prednisone + oral or i.v. cyclophosphamide are generally effective. In the most severe cases, the association of MP pulse therapy with cyclophosphamide is probably more effective. Plasma exchange is probably justified in unresponsive patients. Azathioprine should replace cyclophosphamide during the maintenance therapy. In HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia the treatment also depends on the severity of renal involvement. The treatment for chronic HCV infection involves alpha interferon alone or preferably in combination with ribavirin. Aggressive therapy, including i.v. MP, plasmapheresis and cyclophosphamide is primarily reserved for patients with acute severe disease, as manifested by progressive renal failure, distal necroses requiring amputation, or advanced neuropathy. Uncontrolled studies suggest that this regimen can improve renal function. Renal involvement is a common problem in paraproteinemic disorders that include multiple myeloma, Waldentrom's macroglobulinaemia and monoclonal gammopathy. The most common renal diseases in this setting are cast nephropathy, primary amyloidosis cast nephropathy, primary amyloidosis, and light chain deposition disease that are related to the overproduction of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. The approach to therapy varies with the cause of the renal dysfunction. Patients with amyloidosis or light-chain deposition disease are generally treated with chemotherapy, but the most effective therapy for myeloma kidney is prevention by minimising the risk factors that promote light chain filtration and subsequent obstruction by cast formation within the tubules. Chemotherapy or stem cell or bone marrow transplantation to decrease filtered light chain load, prevent volume depletion and maintain high fluid intake to reduce light chain concentration within the tubular lumen are indicated in almost all the patients.
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PMID:[Instructions and implementations for percutaneous renal biopsy. Guidelines for the therapy of glomerular nephropaties]. 1466 2

Severe ischemia of the upper extremity causing tissue necrosis occurs much less frequently than in the lower extremity. The clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with digital nonhealing ulcer or gangrene is largely unknown. A retrospective review of patients with upper extremity tissue loss was performed. Patients with ischemia from embolic disease, steal syndromes, and vasospastic or connective tissue disorders were excluded. Thirteen patients with upper extremity ischemic gangrene and/or nonhealing ulcers were treated from January 1995 to June 2002. Comorbid conditions included diabetes mellitus in 10 patients and renal failure in 11 patients. Five patients developed bilateral upper extremity ischemia during the period of evaluation, while 8 had unilateral involvement. Nine patients had dry gangrene of a digit, 5 had nonhealing ulcers, and 1 patient developed wet gangrene from an ischemic ulcer. All 13 patients received local wound care and medical treatment with anticoagulants, calcium channel blockers, or antiplatelet agents. Ischemic lesions healed in 3 of the 5 patients with conservative management. Surgical intervention was performed on 6 patients with dry gangrene, and the patient with wet gangrene underwent amputation of the hand (53.8%). Two patients underwent sympathectomy without improvement. In the remaining 3 patients, tissue loss remained stable. Seven patients died within 2 years of presentation with upper extremity ischemia, with a survival at 24 months of only 14% by lifetable analysis. The local outcome of severe upper extremity ischemia is generally favorable, with good response to either medical management or digit amputation. However, the life expectancy of the patients with upper extremity ischemia from true atherosclerotic disease is dismal. Therefore, surgical intervention should be reserved for infection control or pain relief only.
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PMID:Outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic upper extremity tissue loss. 1569 46

From June 1982 to November 1989, 39 ABO-incompatible living kidney transplants were performed in 38 recipients. Pretransplant therapies included platelets donor transfusion (21/39), 2 to 5 plasmapheresis sessions (39/39), cyclosporin A with or without azathioprine (33/39) along with polyclonal Abs (36/39) and splenectomy at the time of transplantation (37/39). The last patient who received 2 ABO-incompatible transplants was previously splenectomized (end-stage renal failure due to a cortical necrosis following a traumatic spleen rupture). Three other patients who did not undergo a splenectomy at the time of transplantation were not included in that series but hyperacutely rejected their transplants during the first postoperative week. The 31 ABO-incompatible living related donor graft recipients are alive. Graft loss occurred from acute and/or hyperacute rejection in 5 cases (none below 15 years of age) and from chronic rejection in 8 cases. By contrast, among the 8 ABO-incompatible living unrelated donor graft recipients, only one renal graft is still functioning 20 years later. Graft survival rates are better in the group of patients < 15 years (100%, 89%, 78%, and 78% at 2, 5, 10, and 15 years respectively) compared with the group > 15 years (77%, 77%, 64%, and 59% respectively; NS). Today, 20 years later, prospective randomized studies testing different steps in the preparation protocol are still lacking. Plasmaphereses were replaced by double filtration plasmapheresis and immunoadsorption. Splenectomy seems to be a prerequisite for successful ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation but IV Ig globulins and rituximab are currently being successfully used without splenectomy along with the new immunosuppressive drugs. As the procedure remains unchanged, it might be reserved to patients where cadaver graft could not be a valuable alternative, especially for recipients < 15 years of age with a living related ABO-incompatible donor.
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PMID:Lessons learned from ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation: 20 years later. 1585 30

Open partial nephrectomy, or nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), is now considered the standard of care for the treatment of small renal tumors. The oncologic efficacy and safety of NSS for the treatment of stage-T1a renal tumors has been repeatedly demonstrated to be equivalent to radical nephrectomy. NSS initially was reserved for patients with solitary kidneys, impaired renal function, hereditary tumor syndromes, bilateral renal tumors, and those with significant comorbidities predisposing to future renal failure. The indications have expanded recently to allow elective partial nephrectomy in the setting of a normal contralateral kidney. Furthermore, recent data demonstrate that partial nephrectomy for larger tumors (T1b), which have been historically treated with radical nephrectomy, is a viable option when surgical margins can safely be achieved. In the era of minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic NSS is technically feasible, yet long-term studies are still needed to assess oncologic efficacy. New NSS ablative technologies, such as cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation, are on the horizon. In this article, we discuss the role of open NSS and surgical technique in the contemporary management of renal tumors.
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PMID:Open partial nephrectomy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. 1648 Jun 66


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