Kidney Wales Glossary

Kidney Wales Kidney and Renal Glossary

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V- W - X- Y- Z.

ABDOMEN
the lower part of the trunk, below the chest. Commonly called the tummy or the belly.

ACCESS
in dialysis, the point on the body where a needle or catheter is inserted. Access methods used for haemodialysis include catheter, fistula or graft.

ACID
a chemical that builds up in the blood in Kidney failure.

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ACUTE
a word meaning short term and of rapid onset, usually requiring a rapid response.

ACUTE RENAL FAILURE
sudden and temporary loss of kidney function.

ACUTE TUBULAR NECROSIS (ATN)
reversible kidney damage resulting in impaired kidney function. It may be caused by shock or serious infection. It may occur after a renal transplant. Among other factors, it may be caused by quality of donor organ, time of organ storage before transplantation, or medications to prevent rejection.

ADEQUACY
this term is used to describe the tests that are used to see how much dialysis a patient is getting. Samples of the dialysis fluid, blood and urine are used to measure the dialysis adequacy.

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
an enzyme produced by liver and other cells; elevated blood levels of this substance may indicate abnormal function of the liver and other organs.

ALBUMIN
a type of protein that occurs in the blood. Low blood levels may be linked to malnutrition.

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ALDOSTERONE II (AII) Antagonist
a type of blood pressure tablet that can make the function of the kidneys worse, although it is useful in certain situations.

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ALFACALCIDOL
a vitamin D supplement.

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ALG
abbreviation for anti-lymphocyte globulin, a strong treatment against the rejection of a transplant kidney.

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ALKALI
a substance that is the chemical opposite of an acid.

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ALLOGRAFT (allogenetic graft or homograft)
a graft between two individuals who are of the same species (eg. human) but have genetic differences.

ALPHA-BLOCKER
a type of blood pressure tablet - examples include doxazosin and terazosin.

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ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE
a commonly used type of phosphate binder, used to help prevent and treat renal bone disease. An example of aluminium hydroxide is Alu-Cap.

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AMINO ACIDS
substances from which proteins are built up.

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ANAEMIA
the condition of having too few red blood cells. Healthy red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. If the blood is low on red blood cells, the body does not get enough oxygen. People with anaemia may be tired and pale and may feel their heartbeat change. Anaemia is common in people with chronic kidney disease or those on dialysis.

ANAEMIC
low blood count.

ANAESTHETIC
medication that reduces pain by dulling sensation.

ANGIOGRAM
a type of X-Ray that uses a special dye to show the blood vessels via a tube that is inserted (usually) into the groin and passed up to the kidneys.

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ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE) Inhibitor
a type of blood pressure tablet that can make the kidney function worse, although it is useful in certain situations.

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ANKLE OEDEMA
an abnormal build up of fluid in the skin around the ankles. It is an early sign of fluid overload.

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ANTACID
a drug that aids in protecting the digestive system and relieves heartburn and digestive discomfort.

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ANTIBIOTIC DRUGS
a group of drugs that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

ANTIBODIES
substances that normally help the body to fight infection. They are made by white blood cells. After a transplant, antibodies can attack the new kidney and cause the rejection.

ANTIGEN
a type of protein that occurs on the outer surface of all the cells in a person's body. Antigen acts as a 'friendly face' of the body's own cells, and thus the body does not attack or reject them.

ANURIA
a condition in which a person stops making urine.

APD
abbreviation for automated peritoneal dialysis. A form of peritoneal dialysis that uses a machine to drain the dialysis fluid out of the patient and replace it with a fresh solution. APD is usually carried out overnight while the patient sleeps.

ARTERIES
blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

ARTERIOGRAM (angiogram)
an X-ray of the arteries taken with the aid of a dye.

ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA
surgical connection of an artery directly to a vein, usually in the forearm, created in patients who will need haemodialysis. The AV fistula causes the vein to grow thicker, allowing the repeated needle insertions required for haemodialysis.

ARTERY
a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body.

ARTERIAL LINE
in haemodialysis, tubing that takes blood from the body to the dialyzer.

ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY
another name for a dialyzer.

ATG
abbreviation for anti-thymocyte globulin, a strong treatment against the rejection of a transplanted kidney.

ATHEROMA
deposits of cholesterol and fats that cause furring and narrowing of the arteries (also called atherosclerosis).

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ATHEROSCLEROSIS
a build up of fats in the lining of the arteries that may interfere with the flow of blood.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
a disease that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body itself.

AZATHIOPRINE
an immuno-suppressant drug used to prevent the rejection of a transplant kidney.

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BCell
specialized white blood cells responsible for the body's immunity. B Cells play a central role in antibody production.

BACTERIA
small organisms (germs) that can cause disease.

BETA-BLOCKERS
Tablets that slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Examples are atenolol, bisoprolol, meteprolol and propranolol.

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BIOAVAILABILTY
a measure of how much of an administered drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, actually reaching the intended site of action in the body. For example, medicine is absorbed from the GI tract, travels through the bloodstream, and reaches the organ tissues, where it works to fight infection, prevent rejection, etc.

BICARBONATE
A substance that is normally present in the blood which is measured in the biochemistry blood test. A low blood level of biocarbonate shows there is too much acid in the blood.

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BIOCHEMISTRY BLOOD TEST
a test that measures the levels of various different substances measured in people with kidney failure which usually includes sodium, potassium, glucose, urea, creatinine, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphate and albumin.

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BIOPSY
the removal and examination of tissue for diagnosis, a kidney biopsy is sometimes used to try and establish the cause of kidney failure. Biopsies are also used to check whether a transplanted kidney is being rejected.

BLADDER
the part of the urinary tract that receives urine from the kidneys and stores it until urination.

BLOOD CELLS
the microscopically tiny units that form the solid part of the blood. There are three main types: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

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BLOOD GROUP
an inherited characteristic of red blood cells. The common classification is based on whether or not a person has certain antigens (called A and B) in their cells. People belong to one of four blood groups, called A, B, AB, O.

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BLOOD LEVEL
a measurement of the amount of a particular substance in the blood, sometimes expressed in mmol/1 (millimoles per litre) or �mol/1 (micromoles per litre) of blood.

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BLOOD PRESSURE
the pressure that blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it flows through them. Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers. The first shows the systolic blood pressure, the second the diastolic blood pressure. One of the functions of the kidneys is to help control the blood pressure. In kidney failure, the blood pressure tends to be high.

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BLOOD UREA NITROGEN
a waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of food protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.

BLOOD VESSELS
the tubes that carry blood around the body. The main blood vessels are the arteries and veins.

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BONE MARROW
the 'runny' part in the middle of some bones, where blood cells are made.

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BP
abbreviation for blood pressure.

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BRAIN DEATH
when the brain has permanently stopped working, as determined by a neurological surgeon, artificial support systems may maintain functions such as heartbeat and respiration. A person must be diagnosed brain dead before their organs can be removed for a cadaveric transplant.

BUN
BUN stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen, a waste product normally excreted by the kidney. Your BUN value represents how well the kidneys function.

CADAVERIC DONOR
an individual who has recently died of causes that do not affect the function of an organ to be transplanted. Either the person or the person's family has generously offered organs and/or tissues for transplantation.

CADAVERIC TRANSPLANT
a transplant kidney removed from someone who has died.

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CALCIUM
a mineral that strengthens bones. It is contained in some foods, including dairy products. It is stored in the bones and is present in the blood. The kidneys normally help to keep calcium in the bones. In kidney failure, calcium drains out of the bones, and the level of calcium in the blood also falls.

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CALCIUM ANTAGONIST
a type of blood pressure tablet than can cause 'ankle swelling'. Examples include amlodipine and nifedipine.

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CALCIUM CARBONATE
a commonly used type of phosphate binder, used to help prevent and treat renal bone disease. An example of calcium carbonate is Calcichew.

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CANDIDA ALBICANS
a yeast that sometimes causes peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

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CAPD
abbreviation for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. A continuous form of peritoneal dialysis in which patients perform the exchanges of dialysis fluid by hand. The fluid is usually exchanged four times during the day, and is left inside the patient overnight.

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CATHETER
a tube inserted through the skin into a blood vessel or cavity to draw out body fluid or infuse fluid. In peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is used to infuse dialysis solution into the abdominal cavity and drain out again.

CELLCEPT(r)
an immunosuppressive drug used with other immuno-suppressants to prevent the rejection of the transplanted organ. Also known by its chemical name, myophenolate mofetil.

CELLS
the tiny units from which all living things are built up. Most cells have some common features (including the nucleus that is the cell's control centre, and an outer membrane or skin that gives the cell it's shape). Cells in different parts of the body look different from each other and perform different functions (for example, skin cells are very different from blood cells).

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CHOLESTEROL
a form of fat that performs necessary functions in the body but can also cause heart disease; cholesterol is found in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products.

CHRONIC
a word meaning long term and slow onset, not usually requiring immediate action.

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CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
slow and progressive loss of kidney function over several years, often resulting in permanent kidney failure. People with permanent kidney failure need dialysis or transplantation to replace the work of kidneys.

CLEARANCE
the removal of toxic waste products of food from the body. Clearance is one of the two main functions of the kidneys. In kidney failure, clearance is inadequate, and toxins from food build up in the blood.

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CMV (CYTOMEGALOVIRUS)
a virus infection that is very common in transplant recipients; it can affect the lungs and other organs as well; a member of the family of herpes viruses.

COAGULATION
blood clotting.

CORTICOSTEROIDS
a category of immunosuppressive medications that includes prednisone and prednisolone.

CREATININE
a substance found in blood and urine; it results from normal body chemical reactions; high blood creatinine levels are a sign of depressed kidney function.

CREATININE CLEARANCE
A test that measures how efficiently the kidneys remove creatinine and other wastes from the blood. Low creatinine clearance indicates impaired kidney function.

CROSSMATCH
a test in which donor and recipient blood samples are mixed together. A "positive" crossmatch shows the donor and recipient are incompatible. A "negative" crossmatch shows there is no reaction between the donor and recipient. This means that the donor and recipient are compatible and the transplant may proceed.

CT SCAN
abbreviation for a computed tomography scan. An investigation that uses a computer to build up a picture from a series of low-intensity signals.

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CYCLOSPORINE
the immunosuppressive ingredient in Neoral(r) (cyclosporine capsules and oral solution for microemulsion) and Sandimmune which is not bio equivalent and cannot be used interchangeably without physician supervision.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV)
a virus that normally causes only a mild 'flu-like illness. In people with a kidney transplant (and in other people whose immune system is suppressed), CMV can cause a more serious illness, affecting the lungs, liver and blood.

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DEHYDRATION
a condition in which the body does not contain enough water to function properly. Dehydration often causes low blood pressure, which causes weakness and dizziness.

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DIABETES MELLITUS
a condition (also known as 'sugar diabetes' or simply as diabetes) in which there is too much sugar in the blood. Whether this type of diabetes is controlled by insulin, tablets or diet, it can cause kidney failure. This happens most often to people who have had diabetes for longer than 10 years.

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DETOXIFY
to change a harmful substance into a safer form.

DIABETES
a disease in which patients have high levels of sugar in their blood.

DIABETES MELLITUS
a condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) resulting from the body's inability to use glucose efficiently. Insulin normally helps the body's cells use glucose. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin; in type 2 diabetes, the body is resistant to the effects of available insulin.

DIALYSIS
the process of cleaning and achieving chemical balance in the blood of patients whose kidneys have failed. Dialysis may refer to haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

DIALYSIS MACHINE
the machine used to perform haemodialysis. It includes a dialyser, which filters the patient's blood. The machine helps to pump the patient's blood through the dialyser, and monitors the dialysis process as it takes place.

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DIALYSIS MEMBRANE
a thin layer of tissue or plastic with many tiny holes in it, through which the process of dialysis takes place. In peritoneal dialysis, the patient's peritoneum provides the dialysis membrane. For haemodialysis, the dialysis membrane is made of plastic. In each case, the membrane keeps the dialysis fluid separate from the blood (essential because dialysis fluid is toxic if it flows directly into the blood). However, the tiny holes in the membrane make it semi-permeable, allowing water and various substances to pass through it.

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DIALYSIS SOLUTION
a cleansing liquid used in the two major forms of dialysis - haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis solution contains dextrose (a sugar) and other chemicals similar to those in the body. Dextrose draws wastes and extra fluid from the body into the dialysis solution.

DIASTOLIC
the bottom of two blood pressure numbers, which measures blood pressure when the heart is at rest.

DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
a blood pressure reading taken when the heart is relaxed. It is taken after the systolic blood pressure, and is the second figure in a blood pressure measurement.

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DIALYZER
a part of the haemodialysis machine. The dialyzer has two sections separated by a membrane. One section holds dialysis solution. The other holds the patient's blood.

DIFFUSION
a process by which substances pass from a stronger to a weaker solution. Diffusion is one of the key processes in dialysis (the other is ultrafiltration). During dialysis, body wastes such as creatinine pass from the blood into the dialysis fluid. At the same time, useful substances such as bicarbonate and calcium pass from the dialysis fluid into the blood.

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DIURETIC DRUGS
the medical name for water tablets. These drugs increase the amount of urine that is passed. Two commonly used diuretics are frusemide and bumetanide

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DONOR
a person who donates an organ to another.

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DOPPLER SCAN
a type of ultrasound scan (sound wave picture) that provides information about blood flow through the arteries.

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DRY WEIGHT
the ideal weight for a person after a haemodialysis treatment. The weight at which a person's blood pressure is normal and no swelling exists because all excess fluid has been removed.

DWELL TIME
in peritoneal dialysis, the amount of time a bag of dialysis solution remains in the patient's abdominal cavity during an exchange.

ECG
abbreviation for electrocardiogram.

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ECHO
abbreviation for echocardiogram.

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ECHOCARDIOGRAM (ECHO)
a type of ultrasound scan (sound-wave picture) that shows how well the heart is working.

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EDEMA
excess fluid in body tissues; swelling of the ankles, for example, is a sign of edema.

ELECTROCARIOGRAM
a recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

ELECTROLYTES
Chemicals in the body fluids that result from the breakdown of salts, including sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride. The kidneys control the amount of electrolytes in the body. When the kidneys fail, electrolytes get out of balance, causing potentially serous health problems. Dialysis can correct this problem.

END STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD)
total and permanent kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build. A person with ESRD needs treatment to replace the work of the failed kidneys.

ENZYME
a protein made in the body and capable of changing a substance from one form to another.

ERYTHROPOIETIN
a hormone made by the kidneys to help form red blood cells. Lack of this hormone may lead to anaemia.

EXCHANGE
in peritoneal dialysis, the draining of used dialysis solution from the abdomen, followed by refilling with a fresh bag of solution.

EXIT SITE
the point where a catheter comes out through the skin. Exit site infections can be a problem for peritoneal dialysis patients.

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FERRITIN
a substance in the blood that indicates how much iron is present. The more iron there is in the body, the higher the level of ferritin in the blood.

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FOETUS
a human embryo in the mother's uterus.

FISTULA
an enlarged vein, usually at the wrist or elbow, that gives access to the bloodstream for haemodialysis. The fistula is created by a surgeon in a small operation. It is done by joining a vein to an artery. This increases the flow of blood through the vein and causes it to enlarge, making it suitable for haemodialysis needles.

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FK506
another name for tacrolimus.

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FLUCLOXACILLIN
an antibiotic used to treat exit site infections of peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis catheters.

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FLUID OVERLOAD
a condition in which the body contains too much water. It is caused by drinking too much fluid, or not losing enough. Fluid overload occurs in kidney failure because one of the main functions of the kidneys is to remove excess water.
Fluid overload often occurs with high blood pressure. Excess fluid first gathers around the ankles (ankle oedema) and may later settle in the lungs (pulmonary oedema).

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GASTROENTEROLOGIST
a physician who specializes in the care of the digestive tract.

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GENTAMICIN
an antibiotic used to treat peritonitis.

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GINGIVAL HYPERTROPHY
enlargement of the gums. It is a common side effect of cyclosporine therapy, but can be managed with good oral hygiene.

GLOMERULUS
one of the tiny filtering units inside the kidney.

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GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
inflammation of the glomeruli. Most often, it is caused by an autoimmune disease, but it can also result from infection.

GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS
scarring of the Glomeruli. It may result from diabetes mellitus (diabetic glomerulosclerosis). or from deposits in parts of the glomeruli (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). The most common signs of glomerulosclerosis are proteinuria and kidney failure.

GLOMERULUS
a tiny set of looping blood vessels in the nephron where blood is filtered in the kidney.

GLUCOSE
a type of sugar found in the blood.

GRAFT
an organ or tissue that is transplanted /

a type of access for haemodialysis. The graft is a small plastic tube that connects an artery to a vein. It is inserted into the arm or leg by a surgeon. Haemodialysis needles are inserted into the graft, which can be used hundreds of times.

GRAFT SURVIVAL
when a transplant tissue or organ is accepted by the body and functions properly. The potential for graft survival is increased when the recipient and donor are closely matched, and when immunosuppressive therapy is used.

HAEMATOCRIT
a measure of the red-blood-content of blood, low hematocrit suggests anaemia or massive blood loss

HAEMATURIA
a condition in which urine contains blood or red cells.

HAEMODIALYSIS
a form of dialysis in which the blood is cleaned outside the body, in a machine called a dialysis machine or kidney machine. The machine contains a filter called the dialyser or artificial kidney. Each dialysis session lasts for 3-5 hours, and sessions are usually needed two or three times a week.

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HAEMODIALYSIS CATHETER
a plastic tube used to gain access to the bloodstream for haemodialysis.

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HAEMODIALYSIS UNIT
the part of a hospital where patients go for haemodialysis.

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HAEMOGLOBIN (Hb)
a substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Blood levels of haemoglobin are measured to look for anaemia. A low Hb level indicates anaemia.

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Hb
abbreviation for haemoglobin.

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HEART-BEATING DONOR
a term used to describe a donor whose heart is still beating after brain death has occurred. Most but not all, cadaveric transplants come from heart-beating donors.

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HELPER T CELL
the specialized white blood cell that tells other parts of the immune system to combat infection or foreign material.

HEPATITIS
an infection in the liver, usually caused by a virus. Two main types, called hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can be passed on by blood contact. This means that dialysis patients, especially those on haemodialysis, have an increased risk of getting these infections. Care is taken to reduce this risk, and regular virus checks are made on all kidney patients.

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HERPES
a family of viruses that infect humans; herpes simply causes lip and genital sores; herpes zoster causes shingles.

HIRSUTISM
an excessive increase in hair effect growth - especially male-pattern hair growth in a female. Hirsutism is a common side of cortiscosteroids and can also occur with cyclosporine therapy, but is easily treated with depilatory creams or other methods of hair removal.

HISTOCOMPATIBILITY
the examination of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in a patient, often referred to as "tissue typing" or "genetic matching". Tissue typing is routinely performed for all donors and recipients in kidney and pancreas transplantation to help match the donor with the most suitable recipients. This helps to decrease the likelihood of "rejecting" the transplanted organ.

HIV
human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS. Tests for this virus are carried out before a patient can have a transplant. This is because HIV may be present and inactive in the patient's body but can be activated by the transplant and immuno-suppressant drugs, and cause illness.

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HLA (human leukocyte antigens) system
genetically determined series of antigens that are present on human white blood cells (leukocytes) and tissues

HOME HAEMODIALYSIS
a treatment on a dialysis machine installed in a patient's home. For home haemodialysis to be considered, the patient must have a friend or partner who is able to supervise every dialysis session.

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HORMONES
substances that act as chemical messengers in the body. They are produced in parts of the body called endocrine glands. Hormones travel around the body in the blood, and control how other parts of the body work. For example, the parathyroid hormone from the parathyroid glands in the neck affects kidney function.

HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
a disorder in which the parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone.

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HYPERTENSION
high blood pressure, which can be caused either by too much fluid in the blood vessels or by narrowing of the blood vessels

IMMUNE RESPONSE
any defensive reaction to foreign material by the immune system

IMMUNE SYSTEM
the body's natural defence system. It includes organs (such as the spleen and appendix), lymph nodes (including the 'glands' in the neck) and specialist white blood cells called lymphocytes. The immune system protects the body from infections, foreign bodies and cancer. To prevent rejection of a transplant kidney, it is necessary for patients to take immuno-suppressant drugs.

IMMUNITY
a condition of being able to resist a particular infectious disease

IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT
a drug given to suppress the natural responses of the body's immune system. Immuno-suppressants are given to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection and to patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus. Commonly used examples are cyclosporin, azathioprine and prednisolone. Tacrolimus (FK506) and mycophenolate are newer examples.

IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE AGENTS
medications given to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.

IMURAN(r)
an immunosuppressive drug used with other immunosuppressive drugs to help prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ. Also known by its chemical name, azathioprine.

INCOMPATIBLE
no likeness or similarity between donor or recipient blood type or organs.

INTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS
Inflammation of the kidney cells that are not part of the fluid-collecting units, a condition that can lead to acute renal failure or chronic kidney disease.

INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM (IVP)
a special X-ray of the kidneys. A dye that shows up on X-rays is used to show the drainage system of the kidneys. The dye is injected into the patient's arm, travels in the blood to the kidneys, and is passed from the body in the urine.

IRON
a substance that is necessary to prevent anaemia. A low blood ferritin indicates low levels of iron in the body.

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IV, or INTRAVENOUS
refers to giving medicines or fluids directly through a vein.

IVP
abbreviation for intravenous pyelogram.

KIDNEY
one of the two kidney bean shaped organs located on both sides of the spine, just above the waist. They rid the body of waste materials and maintain fluid balance through the production of urine.

KIDNEY BIOPSY
removal of a small piece of kidney through a hollow needle for examination under a microscope. It is needed to diagnose some causes of kidney failure, including nephritis. It is also used to check whether a transplant kidney is being rejected.

KIDNEY DONOR
a person who gives a kidney for transplantation.

KIDNEY FAILURE
a condition in which the kidneys are less able than normal to perform their functions of removing toxic wastes, removing excess water, helping to control blood pressure, helping to control red blood cell manufacture and helping to keep the bones strong and healthy. Kidney failure can be acute or chronic. Advanced chronic kidney failure is called end-stage renal failure.

KIDNEY MACHINE
another name for a dialysis machine.

Kt/V
a measurement of dialysis dose. The measurement takes into account the efficiency of the dialyzer, the treatment time, and the total volume of urea in the body.

LFTs
abbreviation for liver function tests

LINE INFECTION
a term for an infection of a haemodialysis catheter or line

LIPIDS
another name for fats. People with kidney failure tend to have raised lipid levels in the blood.

LIVER FUNCTION TESTS (LFTs)
Blood tests that show how well the liver is working. They often appear at the bottom of the biochemistry blood test results. Some people with kidney failure also have liver problems.

LIVING-RELATED DONOR (LRD)
a blood relative who donates an organ.

LIVING RELATED TRANSPLANT (LRT)
a transplant kidney donated by a living relative of the recipient. A well-matched living related transplant is likely to last longer than either a living unrelated or a cadaveric transplant.

LIVING UNRELATED TRANSPLANT (LURT)
a kidney transplant from a living person who is biologically unrelated to the recipient (such as a husband or wife)

LRT
abbreviation for a living related transplant

LURT
abbreviation for a living unrelated transplant

LYMPHOCYTES
specialist white blood cells that form part of the immune system.

MALNUTRITION
loss of body weight, usually due to not eating enough (especially foods providing protein and energy). Malnutrition is the major nutritional problem of dialysis patients.

MARKER
a substance that is known to occur in the presence of another substance. Both creatinine and urea are markers for many less easily measurable substances in the blood. The higher the blood levels of these marker substances, the higher also are the levels of harmful toxins in the blood

MATCH
the compatibility between recipient and donor. In general, the more closely the donor and recipient "match", the greater the potential for a successful transplant.

MEMBRANE
a thin sheet or layer of tissue that lines a cavity or separates two parts of the body. A membrane can act as a filter, allowing some particles to pass from one part of the body to another while keeping others where they are. The artificial membrane in a dialyzer filters waste products from the blood.

MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS/MESANGIOCAPILLARY GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
a disease that occurs primarily in children and young adults. Over time inflammation leads to scarring in the glomeruli, causing proteinuria, hematuria and sometimes chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease.

METHYLPREDNISOLONE
a strong version of prednisolone, a drug used to prevent or treat the rejection of a transplant kidney.

MICROEMULSION
a suspension or mixture of tiny droplets of one liquid in a second liquid, such as the smooth mixture that is formed when Neoral(r) (cyclosporine capsules and oral solution for microemulsion) combines with fluids in the digestive system.

mmol/1
abbreviation for millimoles per litre. A unit used to measure the blood levels of many substances. Creatinine is measured in smaller units called micromoles per litre ( �mol/1).

MOLECULE
the smallest unit that a substance can be divided into without causing a change in the chemical nature of the substance.

MRI scan
abbreviation for a magnetic resonance imaging scan, a scanning technique that uses magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce high - quality pictures of the body's interior.

MYCOPHENOLATE
a new immuno-suppressant drug. Sometimes used as an alternative to azathioprine

NEPHR-
prefix meaning relating to the kidneys.

NEPHRECTOMY
an operation to remove a kidney from the body. A bilateral nephrectomy is an operation to remove both kidneys.

NEPHRITIS
a general term for inflammation of the kidneys. Also used as an abbreviation for glomerulonephritis. A kidney biopsy is needed to diagnose nephritis.

NEPHROLOGIST
a physician who studies the function of the kidneys and treats kidney disease.

NEPHROLOGY
the study of the kidneys

NEPHRON
a tiny part of the kidneys. Each kidney is made up of about 1 million nephrons, which are the working units of the kidneys, removing wastes and extra fluids from the blood.

NEPHROTIC
a collection of symptoms that indicate kidney damage. Symptoms include high levels of protein in the urine, lack of protein in the blood, oedema and often high cholesterol.

NEUTROPHIL
a type of white blood cell.

NONCOMPLIANCE
failure to follow the instructions of one's health care providers, such as not taking medicine as prescribed or not showing up for clinic visits.

NON-HEART BEATING DONOR
a donor whose heart is not beating after death, for example after having had a heart attack in casualty when resuscitation has failed. A few cadaveric kidneys come from this source.

NUCLEAR SCAN
A test of the structure, blood flow and function of the kidneys. The doctor injects a mildly radioactive solution into an arm vein and uses x-rays to monitor its progress through the kidneys.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE SCAN
another name for a radio-isotope scan.

OBSTRUCTIVE NEPHROPATHY
blockage to the drainage system of the kidneys, through which the urine passes

OEDEMA
an abnormal build up of fluid, mainly water, in the body. People with kidney failure are prone to fluid overload, leading to oedema. The two most common places for water to collect in the body are around the ankles and in the lungs (pulmonary oedema).

OKT3
abbreviation for orthoclone K T-cell receptor 3 antibody, a strong treatment for the rejection of a transplant.

ORALLY
by mouth.

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ORGAN
a part of the body that consists of different types of tissue, and performs a particular function. Examples include the kidneys, heart and the brain.

ORGAN PRESERVATION
between organ procurement and transplant, organs require special methods of preservation to keep them viable. The length of time that organs and tissues can be kept outside the body varies, depending on the organ, the preservation fluid and the temperature.

ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION (OPO)
OPOs serve as the integral link between the potential donor and recipient and are accountable for the retrieval, preservation and transportation of organs for transplantation. All OPOs are UNOS members.

ORGAN REJECTION
an attempt by the immune system to reject or destroy what it recognizes to be a "foreign" presence (for example, a transplanted liver).

OSMOSIS
the process by which the water moves from a weaker to a stronger solution through tiny holes in a semi-permeable membrane. In peritoneal dialysis, it is osmosis that causes excess water to pass from the blood into the dialysis fluid.

PANEL REACTIVE ANTIBODY (PRA)
a way of measuring immune system activity within the body. PRA is higher when more antibodies are being made.

PARATHYROIDECTOMY
an operation to remove the parathyroid glands

PARATHYROID GLANDS
four pea sized glands near the thyroid gland at the front of the neck. They produce the parathyroid hormone.

PARATHYROID HORMONE (PTH)
a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, which helps control blood levels of calcium. When the level of calcium in the blood is low, PTH boosts it by causing calcium to drain from the bones into the blood. PTH is the best long term indicator of the severity of renal bone disease.

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PCKD
abbreviation for polycystic kidney disease

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PCP
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a type of pneumonia seen primarily in patients whose immune systems are suppressed.

PD
abbreviation for peritoneal dialysis

PD CATHETER
a plastic tube through which dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis is put into, and removed from, the peritoneal cavity. The catheter is about 30 centimetres (12 inches) long, and as wide as a pencil. A small operation is needed to insert the catheter permanently into the abdomen.

PERITONEAL
refers to anything to do with the peritoneum.

PERITONEAL CAVITY
the area between the two layers of the peritoneum inside the abdomen. The peritoneal cavity contains the abdominal organs, including the stomach, liver and bowels. It normally contains only about 100ml of liquid, but expands easily to provide a reservoir for the dialysis fluid in peritoneal dialysis.

PERITONEAL DIALYSIS
a method of purifying the blood by flushing the abdominal cavity with a dilute salt solution.

A form of dialysis that takes place inside the patient's peritoneal cavity, using the peritoneum as the dialysis membrane. Bags of dialysis fluid, containing glucose (sugar) and various other substances, are drained in and out of the peritoneal cavity via a PD catheter.

PERITONEAL EQUILIBRATION TEST (PET)
a measurement of the rate at which toxins pass out of the blood into the dialysis fluid during peritoneal dialysis (PD). Patients are described as 'high transporters' (if the toxins move quickly) and 'low transporters' (if the toxins move more slowly). The test is used to assess a patient's suitability for different types of PD.

PERITONEUM
a natural membrane that lines the inside of the wall of the abdomen and that covers all the abdominal organs (the stomach, bowels, liver, etc.) The peritoneum provides the dialysis membrane for peritoneal dialysis. It has a large surface area, contains many tiny holes and has a good blood supply.

PERITONITIS
inflammation of the peritoneum, caused by an infection. People on peritoneal dialysis risk getting peritonitis if they touch the connection between their peritoneal dialysis catheter and the bags of dialysis fluid. Most attacks are easily treated with antibiotic drugs.

PET
in this context, an abbreviation for the peritoneal equilibration test. ( The abbreviation PET in PET scan is short for positron emission tomography.)

PHOSPHATE
a mineral that helps calcium to strengthen the bones. Phosphate is obtained from foods such as dairy products, nuts and meat. The kidneys normally help to keep the right amount of phosphate in the blood. In kidney failure, phosphate tends to build in the blood. High phosphate levels occur with low calcium levels in people with renal bone disease.

PHOSPHATE BINDERS
tablets that help to prevent a build-up of phosphate in the body. Phosphate binders combine with phosphate in food so that it passes it out of the body in the faeces. The most commonly used phosphate binders are calcium carbonate and aluminium hydroxide.

PLATELET
a small blood cell needed for normal blood clotting.

PLASMA
the liquid part of the blood in which the blood cells float.

PLATELETS
a type of blood cell that helps the blood clot.

POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PCKD)
an inherited disease (a disease that runs in families) in which both kidneys are full ('poly-' means 'many') of cysts (abnormal fluid-filled lumps). PCKD is one of the causes of kidney failure. It is diagnosed by an ultrasound scan.

POTASSIUM
a mineral that is normally present in the blood, and which is measured in the biochemistry blood test. Either too much or too little potassium can be dangerous, causing the heart to stop. People with kidney failure may need to restrict the amount of potassium in their diet.

PREDNISONE
a manufactured steroid hormone taken by most transplant recipients to help prevent rejections.

PROPHYLACTIC MEDICATION
medication that helps prevent disease.

PROTEINS
chemical components of the body, formed from amino acids. The body needs supplies of protein in the diet to build muscles and to repair itself.

PROTEINURIA
a condition in which the urine contains amounts of protein, a sign that the kidneys are not functioning properly.

PTH
abbreviation for parathyroid hormone.

PULMONARY OEDEMA
a serious condition in which fluid builds up in the lungs, causing breathlessness. People with kidney failure develop pulmonary oedema if fluid overload is not treated promptly.

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PYELONEPHRITIS
inflammation of the drainage system of the kidneys, one of the causes of kidney failure. It can be diagnosed by an ultrasound scan or by an intravenous pyelogram.

RADIO-ISOTOPE SCAN
a method of obtaining pictures of the body's interior, also called a radio-nuclide scan or nuclear medicine scan. A small amount of a mildly radioactive substance is either swallowed or injected into the bloodstream. The substance gathers in certain parts of the body, which then show up on pictures taken by a special machine.

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RADIO-NUCLIDE SCAN
another name for radio-isotope scan.

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RAPAMYCIN ( RAPAMUNE(r) )
Rapamycin belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It is used to lower the body's natural immunity in patients who receive kidney transplants. When a patient receives an organ transplant, the body's white blood cells will try to get rid of (reject) the transplanted organ. Rapamycin works by preventing the white blood cells from getting rid of the transplanted organ.

RECIPIENT
in the context of transplantation, a person who receives an organ from another person (the donor).

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RED BLOOD CELLS
Cells in the blood which carry oxygen from the lungs around the body.

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REFLUX
the movement of a liquid, such as urine, in the opposite direction to normal. The word 'reflux' is sometimes used to mean reflux nephropathy.

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REFLUX NEPHROPATHY
a condition in which urine passes back up from the bladder, through the ureters, to the kidneys, where it can cause infections. It occurs because a valve that normally prevents the back flow of urine from the bladder is faulty. Reflux nephropathy is one of the causes of kidney failure.

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REJECTION
the process by which a patient's immune system recognises a transplant kidney (or other organ) as not its 'own', and then tries to destroy it and remove it from the body. Rejection can be acute or chronic.

RENAL
refers to the kidney.

RENAL BONE DISEASE
is a complication of kidney failure, in which bone health is affected by abnormally low blood levels of calcium and vitamin D, and high levels of phosphate. Without treatment, renal bone disease can result in bone pain and fractures.

RENAL OSTEODYSTROPHY
weak bones caused by poorly working kidneys. Renal Osteodystrophy is a common problem for people on dialysis who have high phosphate levels or insufficient vitamin D supplementation.

RENIN
a hormone made by the kidneys that helps regulate the volume of fluid in the body and blood pressure.

RETRANSPLANTATION
due to organ rejection or transplant failure, some patients need another transplant and return to the waiting list. Reducing the number of retransplants is critical when examining ways to maximize a limited supply of donor organs.

RENOVASCULAR DISEASE
Atheroma affecting the blood vessels that supply the kidneys ('reno-' means relating to the kidney, and 'vascular' means relating to the blood vessels). Renovascular disease is a common cause of kidney failure in older patients.

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RESIDUAL RENAL FUNCTION (RRF)
the amount of kidney function that a patient with kidney failure has. This varies from patient to patient. It is likely the RRF will reduce over a period of time, and in many patients, it eventually disappears altogether. A creatinine clearance test is used to assess RRF.

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RIFAMPICIN
an antibiotic drug used to treat long term exit site infections of dialysis catheters.

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RIGORS
cold shivers that sometimes occur with fever. They can be a symptom of an infected haemodialysis catheter.

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RRF
abbreviation for residual renal function

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SATELLITE HAEMODIALYSIS UNIT
a place where some patients go for haemodialysis away from the main hospital renal unit. Satellite units have relatively few nurses, and are suitable only for healthy patients

SANDIMMUNE(r) (CYCLOSPORINE)
an earlier formulation of cyclosporine. An immunosuppressive drug used with other immunosuppressive drugs, that acts specifically to inhibit helper T Cells, thereby helping to prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ. Sandimmune and Neoral are not bio equivalent and cannot be used interchangeably without physician supervision.

SENSITIZED
being immunized, or able to mount an immune response, against an antigen by previous exposure to that antigen.

SHINGLES
a herpes virus infection (herpes zoster) that usually affects a nerve, causing pain in one area of the body.

SODIUM
A mineral found in the body and a component of table salt (sodium chloride); an electrolyte that is the main salt in blood.

STATUS
indicates the degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting heart or liver transplants.

STRICTURE or STENOSIS
a narrowing of a passage in the body.

SURVIVAL RATES
survival rates indicate how many patients or grafts (transplanted organs) are alive/functioning at a set time for post-transplant. Survival rates are often given at one, three and five years. Policy modifications are never made without examining their impact of transplant survival rates. Survival rates improve with technological and scientific advances in transplantation will also improve survival rates.

SYSTOLIC
the top of the two blood pressure numbers, which measures the maximum blood pressure reached as blood is pumped out of the heart chambers.

THRUSH
a fungus infection in the mouth.

THRILL
a vibration or buzz that can be felt in an arteriovenous fistula, an indication that the fistula is healthy.

TRIGLYCERIDES
a form of fat that the body makes from sugar, alcohol and excess calories.

T CELLS
a white blood cell responsible for the body's immunity. T cells can destroy cells infected by viruses, graft cells and other altered cells.

TISSUE TYPING
a blood test (performed prior to transplantation) to evaluate the closeness of tissue match between a donor's organ and its recipient's HLA antigens.

ULTRASOUND
a probe that uses high frequency sound waves that pass into the body, which are then reflected back, to build an image of one's internal organs that is shown on a monitor.

UREA
a waste product found in the blood and caused by the normal breakdown of protein in the liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine. Urea accumulates in the body of people with renal failure.

URAEMIA
the illness associated with the buildup of urea in the blood because the kidneys are not working effectively. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness and mental confusion.

URETERS
Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder to the outside of the body.

URETHRA
a tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside.

URINALYSIS
a test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary system and other body systems. The sample may be observed for colour, cloudiness and concentration; signs of drug use; chemical composition, including: sugar; the presence of protein, blood cells, or germs; or other signs of disease.

URINARY TRACT
the system that takes wastes from the blood and carries them out of the body in the form of urine. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, renal pelvises, ureters, bladder and urethra.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)
an infection of one or more parts of the urinary tract.

URR (urea reduction ratio)
a blood test that compares the amount of blood urea nitrogen before and after dialysis to measure the effectiveness of the dialysis dose.

VASCULAR ACCESS
a general term to describe the area on the body where blood is drawn for circulation through a haemodialysis circuit. A vascular access may be an arteriovenous fistula, a graft or a catheter.

VEIN
a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

VENOUS LINE
In haemodialysis, tubing that carries blood from the dialyzer back to the body.

VIRUS
a very small agent (germ) that causes infection.

WAITING LIST
after evaluation by the transplant physician, a patient is added to the nation's waiting list by the Transplant Centre. Lists are specific to both geographic area and organ type: heart, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine, heart-lung, kidney-pancreas. Each time a donor organ becomes available, the computer generates a list of potential recipients based on factors that include genetic similarity, organ size, medical urgency and time on waiting list. Through this process, a "new" list is generated each time an organ becomes available.

WHITE BLOOD CELLS
cells in the blood that fight infection; part of the immune system.