Calciphylaxis and chronic renal disease

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a vasculopathy characterized by calcification of the tunica media and proliferation of the tunica intima of blood vessels, in association with fibrosis and thrombosis of the lumen, which lead to necrosis of surrounding (especially soft) tissues. The pathophysiology of calciphylaxis is related with multiple factors. This condition leads to accelerated vascular calcification and has been associated with a number of risk factors, such as chronic renal disease, kidney replacement therapy, and renal transplantation. It has also been related with other, non-uremic, factors, such as calcium deregulation, primary hyperparathyroidism, hypercoagulability states (such as malignancy and deficiency of proteins C and S), alcoholic hepatopathy, warfarin therapy, hypoalbuminemia, therapy with calcium and vitamin D, obesity, and a Calcium/Phosphorus product above 70. We report the case of a patient with calciphylaxis by describing the clinical presentation, the associated risk factors, and the complications seen during the care of the patient