Patient with advanced renal failure and calciphylaxis

• Main Authors: Aguilar Ruiz, L. (Author), Burca, N. (Author), Monferrer Bort, M.Á (Author), Valls Ballespi, J. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Espana S.L.U 2022
• Subjects: Calciphylaxis; Cutaneous ischaemic vascular disease; Multidisciplinary team; Renal failure chronic
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Background and objective: Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening vascular calcification syndrome characterized by necrotic ulceration of the skin due to calcification of the media plus fibrosis of the arteriolar intima and subsequent cutaneous ischemia due to thrombosis that presents with intense pain and ischemic skin lesions. The calcification process is chronic. Once diagnosed, the prognosis is generally poor (survival less than 1 year). To date, an estimated annual incidence of 35 cases per 10,000 patients undergoing hemodialysis in the United States, 4 cases per 10,000 in Germany and less than 1 case per 10,000 in Japan has been recorded, and no series from a Spanish hospital. Although there are isolated cases of calciphylaxis lesions without renal failure (primary hyperparathyroidism, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease...) this entity is almost exclusive to patients with advanced renal failure (from stage IV). Its highest incidence in patients on dialysis stage V. Suspicion in this profile of patients and the initiation of rapid treatment is essential to prevent the progression of skin lesions with superinfection, death due to sepsis, and prevent recurrences. © 2022 The Authors