The lungs in renal failure.

Sudden onset of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a long standing chronic haemodialysis patient with lung calcification

“…Previous studies have shown that calcium is not only deposited in the pulmonary vasculature, but also in the smaller bronchi and the interstitium, with deposition within the alveolar septa, resulting in lung fibrosis [4]. The most common type of lung interstitial calcium deposition is the Whilockite crystal pattern, (CaMg) 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , followed by calcium pyrophosphate [5].…”

“…His intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels increased from 12.3 in 1994 (normal <7) to 42. 4 . A dual electron X-ray adsorption (DEXA) scan had shown increasing total body calcium (Table 1) and his lateral spine X-ray showed aortic calcification ( Figure 1).…”

The Lungs in Uraemia: A Review

“…(1981) demonstrated a 59% reduction in TCO in 18 haemodialysis patients after correction for anaemia by the method of Cotes et al (1972). More severe abnormalities were found by Lee et al (1975).…”

“…Lee et al (1975) reported that reduced TCO persisted for 3 years after successful transplantation. From our own preliminary studies (unpublished) we have found that this variable may never return to normal.…”

“…Some patients may have been given immunosuppressive drugs, a further cause of pulmonary dysfunction (Ginsberg & Gomis 1982). In a study of 55 patients with chronic renal failure of varying severity (Lee et al 1975), the percentage reduction in carbon monoxide transfer (TCO) correlated weakly with creatinine clearance (r = 0.49) and plasma urea (r = -0.49). These findings are difficult to explain.…”