Treatment of severe metastatic calcification in hemodialysis patients

Hemodial Int. 2009 Apr;13(2):163-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1542-4758.2009.00353.x.

Abstract

Soft tissue and vascular calcifications are commonly present in uremic patients secondary to disturbances in calcium and phosphate balance and secondary to hyperparathyroidism. We report a uremic patient who developed uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism rapidly within 6 months after commencing hemodialysis (HD) therapy, with clinical presentations of tumoral calcinosis, calciphylaxis, and myocardial calcifications. After treatment with a low-calcium dialysate, non-calcium-containing phosphate binders, and parathyroidectomy, a dramatic resolution of soft tissue calcification was achieved. However, there was relatively little change in the vascular and other visceral calcifications over the 3-month observation period. This case highlights an unusual and rapid development of tertiary hyperparathyroidism, the importance of tight calcium/phosphate control in uremic patients, the potential hazards of a high calcium concentration dialysate, and the dangers of the overzealous use of active vitamin D therapy in HD patients with uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcinosis / etiology
  • Calcinosis / surgery
  • Calcinosis / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Education, Medical, Graduate
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hemodialysis Solutions / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / etiology
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / surgery
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / therapy*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Nephrology / education
  • Parathyroidectomy
  • Renal Dialysis / methods*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Hemodialysis Solutions