Calcific uremic arteriolopathy ameliorated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy in high-altitude area

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), previously called calciphylaxis, is a devastating complication of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) with an annual incidence of 1-4% in dialysis patients and the mortality is as high as 80%. The rarity of the disease and the multifactorial nature of its causes have compromised good evidences that could determine the best therapy for the condition. For inhabitants in high-altitude area, the content of oxygen in the air is significantly lower than that in sea level area, which leads to the differences in the clinical manifestations and treatments to CUA.

We presented a patient with CUA on Tibetan Plateau successfully treated by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). This 46-year-old uremic Tibetan peasant received hemodialysis for 10 years, and over the last six months, skin necrosis occurred progressively on the distal joint of the middle finger of his right hand and the distal knuckles became paled, hardened, and severely painful. Extensive calcification of the arteries of both hands was revealed and his serum phosphorus elevated and serum calcium decreased. After diagnosis of CUA, patient was treated with HBO therapy for successive three weeks with a session per day, on the basis of secondary infection prevention. Pain of the affected finger was quickly alleviated in one week and the lesions of the affected finger healed in two months.

As the dialysis population in high-altitude area increasing rapidly in recent years, this management strategy of improving focal oxygen supply by HBO might act as a reference for the treatment of CUA patients in similar conditions.