AKI or acute renal failure

https://www.thinkkidneys.nhs.uk/aki/think-kidney-publications/

3 types:

1. Prerenal azotemia (decreased perfusion)
2. Postrenal azotemia (obstruction)
3. Intrinsic renal disease (ischemia or toxins)

AKI secondary to atheroemboli

Cholesterol plaques in the aorta or near the coronary arteries can dislodge after manipulation/ catheter procedures, causing cholesterol emboli lodge in the kidney and then AKI.

Presents with blue/purplish skin lesions in fingers and toes, livedo reticularis, and ocular lesions

Dx

• Eosinophilia
• Eosinophiluria
• Low complement levels
• Elevated ESR
• Biopsy of one of the purplish skin lesions is the most accurate diagnostic test, which shows cholesterol crystals

Tx - no specific therapy

Criteria for diagnosing AKI

• Rise in creatinine of 26µmol/L or more in 48 hours OR

• = 50% rise in creatinine over 7 days OR