What is calciphylaxis?
Calciphylaxis is a syndrome in which calcium deposits in the vascular system which forms a thrombus and causes skin necrosis. This disease is found in kidney patients who are in stage 5 of chronic kidney failure.
Who is more affected by calciphylaxis?
Females are commonly affected by the disease. The ratio of female to male is 3:1.
Individuals of any age can be affected by this disease. The most common age group to be affected is 48 years of age.
How do different conditions cause calciphylaxis?
There are many disorders which are related to calciphylaxis and are mentioned below
-Conditions which are associated include chronic renal failure, elevated calcium-phosphate product, hyperparathyroidism, vascular calcification, hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia.
-Other associated conditions include coagulation abnormalities, iron dextran infusion, and aluminium toxicity.
-if there are systemic inflammations, they are considered the predisposing factor.
What are the signs and symptoms of calciphylaxis?
-Ischemic lesions of subcutaneous fat
-Ischemic skin muscle lesions
-Secondary hyperparathyroidism
-Necrosis of skin
-Calcification of skin blood lesions
Is Calciphylaxis fatal?
Calciphylaxis is characterized by ischemic skin ulceration due to subcutaneous small arterioles calcification, and it is a rare disease but usually fatal.
Can Calciphylaxis be cured?
There is no permanent cure for calciphylaxis, the patient usually dies of sepsis.
Is there any test to diagnose calciphylaxis?
There is no such diagnostic test for this disease but the disease is diagnosed by physical symptoms such as ischemic skin lesions.
How calciphylaxis can be managed?
There is no specific treatment for this fatal disease. Treatment could include the following points:
-Dialysis
-Clot-dissolving agents
-Hyperbaric oxygen
-Local tissue trauma should be avoided
-Urgent parathyroidectomy
-Adequate pain control
How calciphylaxis can lead to complications?
-Lesions of calciphylaxis can lead to ulcers which take a long time to heal or even non-healing and can even lead to cutaneous gangrene.
-In patients where the involvement of calciphylaxis occurs in internal parts, it can lead to gastrointestinal haemorrhage, infarction or even organ failure.
-Sometimes patients treated with calcimimetics, sodium thiosulfate may even lead to hypocalcemia.
