Emergency Signs

When to Call Emergency Services Immediately

Call emergency services right away if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden severe dolor de cabeza — possibly a ruptured aneurisma intracraneal; often described as the "worst dolor de cabeza of your life."
• Severe flank or dolor de espalda with fiebre — possible infección de quiste; may progress to sepsis if untreated.
• Gross hematuria with blood clots — significant sangrado de quiste or rupture requiring evaluation.
• Anuria or severe oliguria — passing little or no orina; may indicate acute riñón injury or obstruction.
• Difficulty breathing — may signal fluid overload, pulmonary edema, or a cardiovascular event.
• Confusion or altered consciousness — may indicate severe hipertensión, electrolyte disturbance, or intracranial bleeding.
• Severe vómito or diarrhea with dehydration — can trigger acute riñón injury, especially in reduced función renal.
• Sudden vision changes — may indicate severe hipertensión or a vascular event.

Cyst Infection

Cyst infection is common in ADPKD. Delayed tratamiento can lead to sepsis. Prompt medical evaluation is essential; tratamiento typically requires antibiotics, and sometimes drainage. If you have fiebre with flank or dolor de espalda, contact your doctor promptly or go to the emergency department.

Cyst Bleeding / Rupture

Most sangrado de quiste resolves on its own, but medical evaluation is needed to rule out other causes (such as stones or tumors). Heavy bleeding may cause hemoglobina to drop and require hospital observation. Seek medical care promptly if you see visible blood in your orina or experience sudden severe dolor en el flanco.

Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture

Approximately 8–10% of ADPKD pacientes have aneurisma intracraneals; the rate is higher in those with a antecedentes familiares of aneurisma. A ruptured aneurisma is a life-threatening emergency — call emergency services immediately. Patients with a antecedentes familiares of aneurisma should discuss tamizaje (MRA) with their doctor.

Acute Kidney Injury

Acute riñón injury (AKI) may result from obstruction (e.g. stones), severe infection, dehydration, or nefrotóxico medicamentos (such as NSAIDs or contrast agents). Seek prompt medical care — delayed tratamiento can cause irreversible riñón damage. Always tell healthcare providers that you have ADPKD before any procedure involving contrast dye.

Severe Hypertension

A presión arterial of 180/120 mmHg or higher accompanied by síntomas is a hypertensive emergency requiring immediate medical attention. If your presión arterial is this high but you have no síntomas, contact your doctor promptly — this is a hypertensive urgencia that still needs urgent evaluation.

What to Bring to the Emergency Department

If you need to go to the emergency department, bring the following if available:

• Recent lab reports — latest función renal (creatinina, eGFR), blood counts, electrolytes, urinalysis.
• Medication list — all current medicamentos, doses, and schedules, including tolvaptán, ACEI/ARB, and any supplements.
• Medical history — ADPKD diagnóstico, known aneurismas, prior surgeries, allergies, and antecedentes familiares.
• Imaging reports — recent riñón ecografía, CT, or MRI reports, and any MRA results if you have been screened for aneurismas.

What NOT to Do

• Do not self-medicate — never take new medicamentos, especially NSAIDs or herbal remedies, without medical advice during an emergency.
• Do not stop prescribed medicamentos without medical direction — stopping presión arterial medicamentos or tolvaptán abruptly can be dangerous; follow your doctor's guidance.
• Do not force fluids if oliguric — if you are passing little or no orina, drinking large amounts of fluid can cause dangerous fluid overload; follow medical advice.