calcifilactus

Specialties Urology

Published

I have worked on a renal unit for the past year and have seen many patients with calcifilactus (not sure if I am spelling it right), but it has to do with calcium deposits in the tissues. I am unclear as to the pathophysiology behind it. Does anyone know or have ideas on where to look up the topic. thanks so much.

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Originally posted by Jenny Mills:

I have worked on a renal unit for the past year and have seen many patients with calcifilactus (not sure if I am spelling it right), but it has to do with calcium deposits in the tissues. I am unclear as to the pathophysiology behind it. Does anyone know or have ideas on where to look up the topic. thanks so much.

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Sorry about the repeat. Just getting started with computers and this type of communication.The ans. to the problem can be found in Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing publised by the American Nephrology Nurses' Asso. As an old Nephrology nurse(saw my first dialysis in l967-started in the field in l975) I strongly encourage you to join this Asso. The pathophysiolgy ans. is very long so I will send it to your e-mail. In a nut shell it is the calcium-phosphate imbalance. The reason is important to know for proper patient/client/consumer teaching.

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Paula

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The correct spelling is calciphylaxis. This occurs when the patients imbalance becomes so severe that calcium phosphate crystals are deposited throughout the body. The patient may have deformities of the joints, may break bones and then fall, not the opposite, may have deposits around the heart, etc.that can be fatal. I had a patient in his 40"s who died because of this. Keep an eye on your patients parathyroid hormone levels, they may need a parathyroidectomy to prevent this. The patient I mentioned above refused this, his PTH levels were above 2000 for a long time before he died. Read up on the subject, it is important.

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