Calciphylaxis in Patients With Preserved Kidney Function

Abstract

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), also known as calciphylaxis, is a devastating disease typically seen in patients with end stage renal disease. It manifests as extremely painful symmetrical wounds resistant to surgical and medical interventions. The prevalence of CUA among hemodialysis dependent patients was found to be as high as 4.1%. The management of patients with CUA requires a multidisciplinary approach by the medical team, yet often results in a low rate of successful outcomes. Recently, non-uremic calciphylaxis (NUC) has been described in the absence of kidney disease. Limited knowledge exists on the management of NUC and the outcomes of this condition. Herein we describe three clinical scenarios of patients diagnosed with NUC in the absence of permanent or prolonged acute renal pathology. The reporting of successful and fruitless therapeutic interventions for wound management in NUC is important for compiling the evidence of effective therapeutic strategies.