Lung Disease in Relation to Kidney Diseases

Physiologically, the lungs and kidneys are intricately related, not least as homeostatic organs controlling the cellular electrolyte and acid-base status that guarantee the best microenvironment for cellular function. Per­ceptually, pulmonary abnormalities may arise as a direct consequence of renal disease (primary consequences) or through generalized systemic processes that specifically involve both organ systems concomitantly. The former group is the subject of this article. [1],[2],[3] These consequences may be classified on a patho-physiologiocal basis based on the resultant functional de­rangement in renal homeostatic mechanisms [Table - 1]. The latter, so-called pulmonary renal syndrome, is classically exemplified by the vasculitidis, granulomatous diseases, intoxi­cations and sepsis [Table - 2]. Pulmonary complications of dialysis and transplantation are secondary consequences and will not be discussed.