Renal Failure and Treatment Vicky Jefferson, RN, CNN
Bones can break, muscles can atrophy, glands can loaf, even the brain can go to sleep without immediate danger to survival. But -- should kidneys fail.... neither bone, muscle, nor brain could carry on. Homer Smith, PhD
History Early animal experiments began st human dialysis 1940 by Dutch physician Willem Kolff (2 of 17 patients survived) Considered experimental through 1950’s, No intermittent blood access; for acute renal failure only.
History cont’d 1960 Dr. Scribner developed Scribner Shunt 1960’s Machines expensive, scarce, no funding. “Death Panels” panels within community decided who got to dialyze.
Normal Kidney Function Fluid balance Electrolyte regulation Control acid base balance Waste removal Hormonal function –Erythropoietin –Renin –Active Vitamin D 3 –Prostaglandins
Acute Renal Failure (ARF) Sudden onset - hours to days Often reversible Severe - 50% mortality rate overall; generally related to infection.
Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) Slow onset - years Not reversible
Causes of Chronic Renal Failure Diabetes Hypertension Glomerulonephritis Cystic disorders Developmental - Congenital Infectious Disease
Causes of Chronic Renal Failure cont’d Neoplasms Obstructive disorders Autoimmune diseases –Lupus Hepatorenal failure Scleroderma Amyloidosis Drug toxicity
Stages of Chronic Renal Failure Reduced Renal Reserve Renal Insufficiency End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Stage 1: Reduced Renal Reserve Residual function % of normal BUN and Creatinine normal (early) No symptoms
Stage II: Renal Insufficiency Residual function % normal Decreased: glomerular filtration rate, solute clearance, ability to concentrate urine and hormone secretion Symptoms: elevated BUN & Creatinine, mild azotemia, anemia
Stage II: Renal Insufficiency cont’d Signs and symptoms worsen if kidneys are stressed Decreased ability to maintain homeostasis
Stage III: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Residual function < 15% of normal Excretory, regulatory and hormonal functions severely impaired. metabolic acidosis
Stage III: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) cont’d Marked increase in: BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorous Marked decrease in: Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Calcium Fluid overload
Stage III: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) cont’d Uremic syndrome develops affecting all body systems Last stage of progressive CRF Fatal if no treatment
Diagnostic Tools for Assessing Renal Failure Blood Tests –BUN elevated (norm 10-20) –Creatinine elevated (norm ) –K elevated –PO 4 elevated –Ca decreased Urinalysis –Specific gravity –Protein –Creatinine clearance
Diagnostic Tools cont’d Biopsy Ultrasound X-Rays
Manifestations of Chronic Renal Failure
Nervous System Mood swings Impaired judgment Inability to concentrate and perform simple math functions Tremors, twitching, convulsions Peripheral Neuropathy –restless legs –foot drop
Integumentary Pale, grayish-bronze color Dry scaly Severe itching Bruise easily Uremic frost
Eyes Visual blurring Occasional blindness
Fluid - Electrolyte - PH Volume expansion and fluid overload Metabolic Acidosis Electrolyte Imbalances –Hyperkalemia
GI Tract Uremic fetor Anorexia, nausea, vomiting GI bleeding
Hematologic Anemia Platelet dysfunction
Musculoskeletal Muscle cramps Soft tissue calcifications Weakness Related to calcium phosphorous imbalances
Heart Lungs Hypertension Congestive heart failure Pericarditis Pulmonary edema Pleural effusions
Endocrine/Metabolic Erythropoietin production decreased Hypothyroidism Insulin resistance Growth hormone decreased Gonadal dysfunctions Parathyroid hormone and Vitamin D 3 Hyperlipidemia
Treatment Options Hemodialysis Peritoneal Dialysis Transplant
Hemodialysis Removal of soluble substances and water from the blood by diffusion through a semi-permeable membrane.
Hemodialysis Process Blood removed from patient into the extracorporeal circuit. Diffusion and ultrafiltration take place in the dialyzer. Cleaned blood returned to patient.
Hemodialysis Process
Hemodialysis Circuit
Extracorporeal Circuit
Vascular Access Arterio-venous shunt (Scribner External Shunt) Arterio-venous (AV) Fistula PTFE Graft Temporary catheters “Permanent” catheters
Scribner Shunt External- one end into artery, one into vein. Advantages –place at bedside –use immediately Disadvantages –infection –skin erosion –accidental separation –limits use of extremity
External (Scribner) Shunt
Arterio-venous (AV) Fistula Primary Fistula Patients own artery and vein surgically anastomosed. Advantages –patients own vein –longevity –low infection and thrombosis rates Disadvantages –long time to mature, 1- 6 months –“steal” syndrome –requires needle sticks
AV Fistula
PTFE (Polytetraflourethylene) Graft Synthetic “vessel” anastomosed into an artery and vein. Advantages –for people with inadequate vessels –can be used in 7-14 days –prominent vessels Disadvantages –clots easily –“steal” syndrome more frequent –requires needle sticks –infection may necessitate removal of graft
PTFE Graft
Temporary Catheters Dual lumen catheter placed into a central vein- subclavian, jugular or femoral. Advantages –immediate use –no needle sticks Disadvantages –high incidence of infection –subclavian vein stenosis –poor flow-inadequate dialysis –clotting
Cuffed Tunneled Catheters Dual lumen catheter with Dacron cuff surgically tunneled into subclavian, jugular or femoral vein. Advantages –immediate use –can be used for patients that can have no other permanent access –no needle sticks Disadvantages –high incidence of infection –poor flows result in inadequate dialysis –clotting
Cuffed Tunneled Catheter
Complications of Hemodialysis During dialysis –Fluid and electrolyte related hypotension –Cardiovascular arrythmias –Associated with the extracorporeal circuit exsanguination –Neurologic seizures –other fever
Complications of Hemodialysis cont’d Between treatments –Hypertension/Hypotension –Edema –Pulmonary edema –Hyperkalemia –Bleeding –Clotting of access
Complications of Hemodialysis cont’d Long term –Metabolic hyperparathyroidism diabetic complications –Cardiovascular CHF AV access failure –Respiratory pulmonary edema –Neuromuscular neuropathy
Complications of Hemodialysis cont’d Long term cont’d –Hematologic anemia –GI bleeding –dermatologic calcium phosphorous deposits –Rheumatologic amyloid deposits
Complications of Hemodialysis cont’d Long term cont’d –Genitourinary infection sexual dysfunction –Psychiatric depression –Infection bloodborne pathogens
Calcium-Phosphorous Balance
Dietary Restrictions on Hemodialysis Fluid restrictions Phosphorous restrictions Potassium restrictions Sodium restrictions Protein to maintain nitrogen balance –too high - waste products –too low - decreased albumin, increased mortality Calories to maintain or reach ideal weight
Peritoneal Dialysis Removal of soluble substances and water from the blood by diffusion through a semi- permeable membrane that is intracorporeal (inside the body).
Peritoneal Dialysis
Types of Peritoneal Dialysis CAPD: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis CCPD : Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis IPD: Intermittent peritoneal dialysis
CAPD Catheter into peritoneal cavity Exchanges times per day Treatment 24 hours; 7 days a week Solution remains in peritoneal cavity except during drain time Independent treatment
Peritoneal Catheter Exit Site
Draining of Peritoneal Dialysate
Phases of A Peritoneal Dialysis Exchange Fill: fluid infused into peritoneal cavity Dwell: time fluid remains in peritoneal cavity Drain: time fluid drains from peritoneal cavity
Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis Infection –peritonitis –tunnel infections –catheter exit site Hypervolemia –hypertension –pulmonary edema Hypovolemia –hypotension Hyperglycemia Malnutrition
Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis cont’d Obesity Hypokalemia Hernia Cuff erosion
Advantages of CAPD Independence for patient No needle sticks Better blood pressure control Diabetics add insulin to solution Fewer dietary restrictions –protein loses in dialysate –generally need increased potassium –less fluid restrictions
Peritoneal Dialysis Multi-bag Prong Manifold
Medications Common to Dialysis Patients Vitamins - water soluble Phosphate binder - (Phoslo, Calcium, Aluminum hydroxide) Give with meals Iron Supplements - don’t give with phosphate binder or calcium Antihypertensives - hold prior to dialysis
Medications Common to Dialysis Patients cont’d Erythropoietin Calcium Supplements - Between meals, not with iron Activated Vitamin D 3 - aids in calcium absorption Antibiotics - hold dose prior to dialysis if it dialyzes out
Medications Many drugs or their metabolites are excreted by the kidney Dosages - many change when used in renal failure patients Dialyzability - many removed by dialysis varies between HD and PD
Patient Education Alleviate fear Dialysis process Fistula/catheter care Diet and fluid restrictions Medication Diabetic teaching
Transplantation
Treatment Not a Cure
Kidney Awaiting Transplant
Advantages Restoration of “normal” renal function Freedom from dialysis Return to “normal” life
Disadvantages Life long medications Multiple side effects from medication Increased risk of tumor Increased risk of infection Major surgery
Care of the Recipient Major surgery with general anesthesia Assessment of renal function Assessment of fluid and electrolyte balance Prevention of infection Prevention and management of rejection
Function ATN? (acute tubular necrosis) –50% experience Urine output >100 <500 cc/hr BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance Fluid Balance Ultrasound Renal scans Renal biopsy
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance Accurate I & O –CRITICAL TO AVOID DEHYDRATION –Output normal - >100 <500 cc/hr, could be 1-2 L/hr –Potential for volume overload/deficit Daily weights Hyper/Hypokalemia potential Hyponatremia Hyperglycemia
Prevention of Infection Major complication of transplantation due to immunosuppression HANDWASHING Crowds, Kids Patient Education
Rejection Hyperacute - preformed antibodies to donor antigen –function ceases within 24 hours –Rx = removal Accelerated - same as hyperacute but slower, 1st week to month –Rx = removal
Rejection cont’d Acute - generally after 1st 10 days to end of 2nd month –50% experience –must differentiate between rejection and cyclosporine toxicity –Rx = steroids, monoclonal (OKT 3 ), or polyclonal (HTG) antibodies
Rejection cont’d Chronic - gradual process of graft dysfunction –Repeated rejection episodes that have not been completely resolved with treatment –Rx = return to dialysis or re-transplantation
Immunosuppressant Drugs Prednisone –Prevents infiltration of T lymphocytes Side effects –cushnoid changes –Avascular Necrosis –GI disturbances –Diabetes –infection –risk of tumor
Immunosuppressant Drugs cont’d Azathioprine (Imuran) –Prevents rapid growing lymphocytes Side Effects –bone marrow toxicity –hepatotoxicity –hair loss –infection –risk of tumor
Immunosuppressant Drugs cont’d Cyclosporin –Interferes with production of interleukin 2 which is necessary for growth and activation of T lymphocytes. Side Effects –Nephrotoxicity –HTN –Hepatotoxicity –Gingival hyperplasia –Infection
Immunosuppressant Drugs cont’d Cytoxan - in place of Imuran less toxic FK x more potent than Cyclosporin Prograf Cellcept other in trials
Immunosuppressant Drugs cont’d OKT 3 - monoclonal antibody used to treat rejection or induce immunosuppression –decreases CD 3 cells within 1 hour Side effects –anaphylaxis –fever/chills –pulmonary edema –risk of infection –tumors 1st dose reaction expected & wanted, pre-treat with Benadryl, Tylenol, Solumedrol
Immunosuppressant Drugs cont’d Atgam - polyclonal antibody used to treat rejection or induce immunosuppression –decreased number of T lymphocytes Side effects –anaphylaxis –fever chills –leukopenia –thrombocytopenia –risk of infection –tumor
Patient Education Signs of infection Prevention of infection Signs of rejection –decreased urine output –increased weight gain –tenderness over kidney –fever > 100 degrees F Medications time, dose, side effects