Calciphylaxis — pathogenesis and clinical picture

Abstract

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), is a rare vascular disease caused by deposition of calcium salts in vessel walls, accompanied by coagulation disorders, which leads to extensive skin ulceration and soft tissue necrosis. Typical cases of calciphylaxis are usually described in patients with renal failure, though it is currently known that approx. 1/10th of all cases stem from other causes, including systemic inflammation, metabolic disorders and endocrine disorders. This article shows an overview of the most important pathophysiological phenomena which accompany calciphylaxis, characterizes the clinical picture of the disease and presents available approaches to therapeutic management.