[Calcific uremic arteriolopathy. a case report and review of the literature]

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy is defined as a syndrome consisting of ischemic skin ulceration due to calcification of the wall of the arterioles of the subcutaneous tissue as a result of hyperparathyroidism in uremic patients.

A 55-year old female patient, hypertense, with heart failure and kidney failure treated with hemodialysis, who presented lower limb pain and hypercalcemia. On physical examination, skin lesions with symmetrical peripheral pulses present in the limbs. Laboratory tests revealed hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and very high parathyroid hormone levels. Parathyroidectomy was performed and biopsy of skin lesions, the patient having a torpid course causing exitus. Autopsy was performed, with histologic features characteristic of calcific uremic arteriolopathy.

Calcific calcium uremic arteriolopathy or calciphylaxis is a complex and variable disease that is difficult to diagnose and whose treatment is complicated. Despite the efforts of the investigators, there are still many questions regarding its pathogenesis. This acts as an incentive for further research to establish the most appropriate actions to take to maintain an adequate quality of life for the patients and avoid complications that trigger death in some cases.