Cocaine-induced acute renal failure, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia mimicking thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Acute renal failure (ARF) can occur as a complication of cocaine abuse. We present a case of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, ARF, and thrombocytopenia after inhalation of crack cocaine in a 38-year-old woman. Her renal failure ultimately required dialysis. She underwent renal biopsy because of persistent renal failure, hematuria, and thrombocytopenia. The biopsy findings consisted of thrombotic microangiopathy and glomerular ischemia. After treatment with fresh frozen plasma, her platelet count and bleeding resolved. The possible mechanisms involved in cocaine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy include: (1) endothelial injury, (2) vasoconstriction and/or impairment of vasodilatation, (3) procoagulant activity, and (4) antiplatelet activity. Although our patient survived after hemodialysis and transfusion of fresh frozen plasma, she continued to have residual renal insufficiency. One month later, the patient again used cocaine and presented with worsening ARF, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

Cocaine and the kidney: a synthesis of pathophysiologic and clinical perspectives.

Cocaine abuse has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and several forms of renal disease have been associated with this widespread use. The hemodynamic actions of cocaine, as well as its effects on matrix synthesis, glomerular inflammation, and glomerulosclerosis, may contribute to renal injury. Cocaine abuse has been associated with various forms of acute renal failure and acid-base and/or electrolyte disorders and may also have a role in the progression of chronic renal failure to end-stage renal disease. In utero exposure to cocaine has been associated with urogenital tract anomalies. Medical management of a hypertensive emergency caused by acute cocaine toxicity requires a multisystem approach, with close monitoring of cardiac, neurological, and renal functions.

Acute renal failure in pregnancy: a review of clinical outcomes at an inner-city hospital from 1986-1996.

Acute renal failure is a serious complication of pregnancy. Over the past few decades, the overall incidence of acute renal failure in pregnancy has decreased in Western societies. In less developed countries, the incidence of acute renal failure in pregnancy has remained high. This retrospective study examined the incidence, morbidity, fetomaternal mortality, and renal prognosis among pregnant inner-city patients. Serum creatinine levels of all pregnant patients seen at an inner-city hospital from January 1986 to December 1996 were reviewed. Twenty-one consecutive cases of acute renal failure were identified for an incidence of 2 in 10,000 pregnancies. Maternal mortality was high (15.7%) as was morbidity, with a tendency toward a high rate of intrauterine fetal growth retardation. These results suggest that the outlook for acute renal failure in inner-city patients is dismal in sharp contrast to the prognosis for other patient groups with acute renal failure in pregnancy in Western societies. Preventive strategies should be aimed at this subpopulation with a view to improving early prenatal care as well as enhancing overall access to the health-care system.

Use of octreotide to treat prolonged sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia in a patient with chronic renal failure.

A diabetic patient with chronic renal failure who developed recurrent and prolonged episodes of hypoglycemia associated with use of sulfonylurea agent is presented here. This patient was hospitalized with neuroglycopenic symptoms of hypoglycemia that persisted in spite of large doses of parenteral glucose replacement. On administration of somatostatin analogue octreotide, hypoglycemia resolved and, blood glucose levels were maintained even after cessation of parenteral glucose. The patient received 2 subcutaneous doses of octreotide 12 hours apart, and made a complete recovery. Our experience suggests that use of octerotide to treat refractory or prolonged sulfonylurea-included hypoglycemia in renal failure patients is safe and effective; large prospective studies would be needed to validate these findings.

Survival after massive ethylene glycol poisoning: role of an ethanol enriched, bicarbonate-based dialysate.

A 38-year old man presented with drowsiness 14 hours after ingesting about 1200 mls (40 ounces) of antifreeze in a suicide attempt. He was successfully treated with an ethanol enriched, bicarbonate based-dialysate. With a concomitant peripheral intravenous infusion of ethanol, this enrichment of the dialysate helped maintain the intradialytic ethanol concentration between 97-135 mg/dl over an 8 hour dialysis session. The patient developed acute tubular necrosis and required further dialysis. He made a complete recovery after three weeks and was discharged with a serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/dl.

Prevalence of non-diabetic renal disease among African-American patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of non-diabetic renal disease among African-Americans (AA) with type II diabetes mellitus based on a biopsy series. No previous study has investigated the nature of renal lesions in AA with type II DM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty AA patients with type II DM who were being managed at an inner-city hospital had kidney biopsies to evaluate suspected non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD) between 1994 and 1998. The demographic, clinical and histopathological data on these patients were analysed retrospectively. Kidney biopsies were reviewed by light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Three patterns of glomerular disease were observed. Diabetic nephropathy alone was seen in 13 patients (41.9%), diabetic nephropathy coexisted with glomerulonephritis in 12 patients (38.7%), while NDRD was seen in six patients (19.4%).