Tomasz Ząbkowski

Superselective renal artery embolization in the treatment of iatrogenic bleeding into the urinary tract.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of superselective renal artery embolization in patients with bleeding into the urinary system. Material/Methods From 2007 to 2012, 20 patients were treated with superselective renal artery embolization for bleeding after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), including 1 patient with AVF after PCNL. During the procedure, embolization material was injected through a microcatheter to stop the bleeding. Embolization materials included a mixture of cyanoacrylate and lipiodol, embolization coils, and Spongostan. Clinical evaluation included remission of hematuria and normalization of blood morphotic elements. Results The cause of bleeding into the urinary tract was damage to vessels (all cases): with coexisting false aneurism (8 cases); with coexisting arterio-venus fistula (1 case); and with coexisting intrarenal hematoma (3 cases). The bleeding occurred 2–5 days after PCNL and NSS, and 10 days after PCNL with AVF. The mean hematocrit level was 22%–24%. Technical success was achieved in 20 cases. Clinical success was achieved in 19 cases. One patient with hematuria after PCNL with AVF needed a second endovascular treatment to stop bleeding. Conclusions Superselective renal artery embolization is an effective procedure in the treatment of iatrogenic bleeding into the urinary tract after PCNL and NSS.

Role of Nitric Oxide Pathway in Development and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Rats Sensitive and Resistant to its Occurrence in an Experimental Model of 5/6 Nephrectomy

Background Understanding the mechanisms conditioning development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of the intrarenal nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the context of sensitivity or resistance of different animal strains to the development and degree of renal failure. Material/Methods Two rat strains were used: Wistar (WR) and Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR) in a model of CKD – 5/6 nephrectomy. We assessed parameters of renal failure and expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in renal cortex and medulla. Results We did not observe renal failure in WR, and CKD developed in SDR with increase of creatinine and urea concentration as well as decrease of diuresis and glomerular filtration. In the renal cortex, baseline expression of NOS2 was higher in WR than in SDR. 5/6 nephrectomy resulted in reduction of NOS2 in both strains and NOS3 in WR. In the renal medulla, baseline NOS2 expression was higher in SDR, and nephrectomy resulted in its decrease only in SDR. Although baseline NOS3 expression was higher in SDR, the NOS3 expression after nephrectomy was higher in WR rats. Conclusions In model of CKD – 5/6 nephrectomy, SDR proved to be sensitive and WR resistant to development of CKD. The intrarenal activity of the nitric oxide pathway was the factor that differentiated both strains. This mechanism may be responsible for insensitivity of WR to development of renal failure in this model of CKD.