Patients are admitted on day of procedure, or earlier if less fit. Must be arranged in advance via ultradound sec or by discussin with radiologist who has a list. If deemed suitable for day care, can be assessed by Clinical Nurse Practitioner. If admitted to general wards to be assessed by medical staff.
Pre-procedure
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aspirin/clopidogrel stop 1 week in advance; other NSAIDs omitted on the day |
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warfarin stop AT LEAST 2 days in advance if indication permits. Some patients will need iv heparin until day of biopsy |
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all medications including anti-hypertensives and anti-anginals to continue (usually patients' own supply) |
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pathology request form must be filled in by renal team and attached to front of notes. Do same with consent form if obtained in advance |
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Fluids only for 2 hours prior to procedure but no need to fast |
Investigations and observations
Ensure no major change in condition or therapy (seek advice if there is)
- BP should be <160/90
Recent results for the following must be available:
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FBC (Hb must be > 80 g/l, Pts > 100x1012/l) |
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coag screen ( PT and APTT must be within 3 seconds of control value) |
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Group and save |
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U & E in patients on dialysis, or if uraemic |
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if any values are outwith these ranges the Registrar and the radiologist should be informed |
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Consent
May be obtained in OPD. Should be attached to front of notes, with pathology request form. Inform of small risk of bleeding, very small risk of requiring intervention (including surgery). See patient info.
| Edinburgh: Consent form should be attached to front of notes, with pathology request form |
Post-procedure
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bed rest 6hrs: first 2h lying flat |
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pulse and BP:
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advise patient to drink plenty |
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pain relief: paracetamol is adequate in most instances |
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assess and document:
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Aspirin and warfarin can be restarted the following day if uncomplicated |
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Discuss reintroduction of heparin if patient at high risk of thrombosis |
Discharge
At the agreed time if all the above satisfactory. Minimum is 6h if suitable for day-case biopsy, see below. In all cases,
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patient must have passed urine |
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6h or final BP must have been recorded |
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patient must have been given a number to call if problems (renal ward or doctor) |
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results usually given at an outpatient appointment in the near future |
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returning to work and other activities: a day or two off work is usually enough. Heavy manual activities should be avoided for a few days. No other special precautions are required. |
Day case biopsies
These are suitable if the following conditions can be met
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Inclusion criteria: |
Low risk |
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Exclusion criteria: |
Anticoagulation |
Diabetes mellitus does not automatically exclude day case biopsy as there is no requirement to fast.
Patients must have an appropriately early biopsy.
Urgent biopsies - warn renal pathologist
Out of hours procedures - contact the consultant pathologist first
Further information
Patient information explaining renal biopsy is available from EdRenINFO
Acknowledgements: Angela Webster and Paul Allan were the main authors for this page. It was updated in July 2002 by Anne Petherick, and reviewed September 2003 and November 2006. It was last updated Thursday, November 30, 2006.
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