Preparing The Kidney for Transplant

A step by step approach to Hypokalaemia including causes, diagnosis and management.

A detailed discussion of the pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical features and management of hepatorenal syndrome.

Acute kidney injury is common entity in medical practice. The present definition is based on a serum creatinine rise of more 0.3 mg/dl in 48 hours or less, a 50% increase from the baseline over a period of 07 days or a urine output of less than 0.5 ml/kg/hour for more than 06 hours. The main causes of acute kidney injury may be classified into pre renal, intrinsic or post renal causes. Rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential to prevent mortality or morbidity. This presentation discusses in detail the causes of all three mechanisms, pre-renal, post renal and intrinsic.

Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium of less than 135 Meq per litre and occurs in upto 22 % of hospitalised patients. The causes of hyponatremia may be understood based on the pre-existing volume status of the patient which may either be hypovolemic, euvolemic or hypervolemic hyponatremia. This presentation discusses in detail, the causes of these underlying conditions. Also mentioned are the clinical features and management options and therapeutic sodium targets in patients with hyponatremia. Drugs such as demeclocycline and vaptans (Tolvaptan, Conivaptan) are also mentioned as management options which may be used on a case to case basis. Finally, the all important targets of sodium correction over 24 hours are also mentioned, along with a practical formula for calculation of sodium deficit which is explained with an example.

Renal replacement therapies are a set of interventions and techniques aimed at replacement of the filtering function of the kidneys. These include both dialysis and renal transplant. In this presentation we will talk about the indication and modalities of dialysis. This includes hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapies. The circuit diagram of each modalities along with its procedure and complications are also discussed.