Calciphylaxis
Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious disorder characterized by reduction in blood flow to skin tissue due to a buildup of calcium in the walls of blood vessels. Calciphylaxis predominantly affects individuals who have advanced kidney disease. The disorder, however, is not restricted to individuals with kidney disease. Calciphylaxis typically manifests with painful skin abnormalities like skin discoloration, a nodule, or an ulcer. Unfortunately, individuals with calciphylaxis are at a high risk for skin infection, hospitalization, and death.
At the Mass General Hospital, we provide a comprehensive interdisciplinary care encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of calciphylaxis (meet the team). Our personalized care approach starts with establishing the diagnosis of calciphylaxis with an utmost certainty and a thorough evaluation of risk factors. We then address the following domains: pain management, wound care including careful assessment of surgical debridement, avoidance/mitigation of risk factors for calciphylaxis, dialysis prescription adjustment (for individuals with end stage kidney disease), mineral metabolism management, and consideration of off-label therapies including sodium thiosulfate and bisphosphonates. We formulate our clinical treatment approach to be congruent with the patient’s goals of care.In addition, our internationally renowned team conducts cutting edge translational and clinical research in the area of calciphylaxis and vascular calcification. We offer individuals with calciphylaxis opportunities to participate in clinical research studies including interventional trials (our research).
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