Anatomophysiology of the Renal System and Chronic Renal Insufficiency

The kidneys excrete the end products of metabolism and excess water. These actions are essential for controlling the concentrations of various substances in the body and maintaining an approximately constant electrolyte and water balance in the tissue fluids. The kidneys also have endocrine functions, producing and releasing erythropoietin, which affects the formation of red blood cells; renin, which influences blood pressure; 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (the metabolically active form of vitamin D), which is involved in controlling calcium absorption and mineral metabolism; and various other soluble factors with metabolic actions. Chronic renal failure is the loss of kidney function, in which the body fails to maintain metabolic and hydroelectrolytic balance, resulting in uremic syndrome, which is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms in the patient, and is therefore a major public health problem, with a negative impact on the quality of life of its sufferers. CRF can be treated with peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis or kidney transplantation.