Calciphylaxis as a Complication of Chronic Kidney Disease
Keywords:
Calcifilaxis, Enfermedad renal crónica, calcificación vascular, hiperparatiroidismoAbstract
Calciphylaxis is a progressive, inflammatory disease characterized by calcification of small and medium-sized arteries, leading to thrombotic ischemia. It is commonly associated with patients with chronic kidney disease, and can manifest in patients without uremia. The incidence in patients undergoing dialysis varies from 0.04% to 4%; it can affect multiple organs: the skin, brain, lungs and muscles. Hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia are endemic biochemical conditions in these patients, which stimulate the transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into osteoblast-like cells, establishing the mechanics for vascular calcification through the formation of ectopic bone within the vascular wall. In addition, there is deficiency of calcification inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease. The above factors promote induration and narrowing of affected arterioles, which compromise their structural integrity, and may also develop thrombosis. Cutaneous calciphylaxis can manifest as non-healing nodules, plaques and ulcers. Currently, biopsy and histological analysis are the methods of choice for diagnosis. Therapy is multidisciplinary and includes early surgical debridement, as well as management of symptoms and modification of risk factors. We report the case of a woman in her fifth decade of life with history of chronic kidney disease who developed calciphylaxis with cutaneous manifestation; she required surgical treatment. Currently, she is making good progress and is being followed up in the Internal Medicine Service.
Keywords: calciphylaxis; chronic kidney disease; vascular calcification, cutaneous manifestation.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Grecia Chavez Chavira, Laura Patricia Camacho Cedeño, Luis Enrique David Hernandez, Eleizer Conde Vázquez
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