Kidney Function

In a bizarre case that some are calling a miracle, a kidney scheduled to be transplanted in just a few weeks baffled doctors in the UK as it somehow began healing itself.

At just 9 years old, Emily Clark had already battled kidney cancer twice and had one kidney removed. Emily’s mother, Claire, was gearing up to donate one of her own kidneys to her daughter when doctors noticed that Emily’s kidney function had improved from 18% to 35%, practically overnight.

Emily’s parents attribute this miraculous turn of events to her having a guardian angel watching over their eldest daughter.

Read the full article here.

Not quite as well-known as the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). AAKP is a voluntary organization that is dedicated to promoting the interest and welfare of people with kidney failure. It functions in all areas of kidney diseases and kidney failure and educates both the public and patients about kidney disease, care and rehabilitation. AAKP, on a national level, distributes information for patients, and promotes organ donation. AAKP also sponsors, in part, a camp program for children with kidney failure, serves as a spokesperson for kidney patients on federal legislative issues, and educates the public about kidney disease and kidney failure.

Although AAKP is located in Florida, there are chapters throughout the Unit3ed States, many of which are active in ongoing educational activities and social events. For more information about AAKP and where to find local chapters, visit their website or call them toll-free at (800) 749-2257.

A rapidly developing, potentially life-threatening noncardiogenic pulmonary edema may occur after the first or second dose of OKT3 (muromonab-CD3) if the patient is not euvolemic, or very close to his or her dry weight at the time of injection. Even “dry”patients may wheeze and become dyspneic. Post-OKT3 pulmonary edema is a preventable syndrome as long as the precautions are adhered to compulsively. It should be remembered that clinical volume assessment is often unreliable, and patients may “hide” liters of fluid that are not clinically detectable. It is often wise and expeditious to dialyze or ultrafilter a patient before OKT3 administration to ensure that the required amount of fluid is removed.

Following the first doses of OKT3, the fluid restrictions can be relaxed. Patients may, in fact, become hypotensive and dehydreated because of fever, diarrhea, and prior fluid restriction. The decision to continue OKT3 in a hypotensive febrile patient may be a difficult one. In these circumstances, OKT3 can be continued safely as long as other causes of hypotension and fever are considered and ruled out and hydration is maintained.