Calciphylaxis: Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment

GENERAL PURPOSE To provide information on the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of calciphylaxis. TARGET AUDIENCE This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to: 1. Recognize the pathogenesis and clinical features of and risk factors for calciphylaxis. 2. Explain the diagnosis and management of a patient with calciphylaxis. Calciphylaxis is a cutaneous ischemic infarct caused by total occlusion of blood vessels initiated by vascular calcification. Until recently, treatments have been limited to controlling its risk factors and optimizing wound care. However, recent advances in clinical understanding of the mechanism of calciphylaxis have identified promising potential therapeutic targets. This article is a narrative review summarizing the clinical features, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of calciphylaxis.