Hemodialysis Research Articles

Key performance indicators for monitoring of anemia management and iron status in children attending a pediatric dialysis unit: the experience of Ain Shams University

BackgroundAnemia in children on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) leads to poor quality of life. Our study aimed to assess and monitor anemia and iron status management in children on maintenance HD over 18 months using key performance indicators.MethodsKey performance indicators, formulated as the percentage of patients achieving the KDIGO (2012) guideline-recommended targets for hemoglobin (Hb) (11–12 g/dl), transferrin saturation (TSAT) (20–40%) and serum ferritin (200–500 ng/ml), were reported quarterly over the 18-month-period of this study.ResultsThis study was carried out over an 18 month-period, from April 1st, 2020, till October 31st, 2021. A total of 78 patients (45 males and 33 females) were included; mean age 12.16 ± 3.3 years and HD duration range 3.0—140.88 months, median 16.51 months. The three most common primary causes of CKD were Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) (29.5%), unknown cause (24.4%), and chronic glomerular diseases (20.5%). The quarterly reported percentages of patients achieving the recommended targets for Hb, TSAT, and serum ferritin ranges were 18.2–35.7%, 38.8–57.1%, and 11.9–26.6%, respectively.ConclusionAlthough the mean Hb trend was nearing the KDIGO (2012) target, the key performance indicators showed that only a small percentage of our HD patients were achieving the targets for Hb, TSAT, & serum ferritin, thus alerting us to the need to revise our protocol for the management of anemia and iron status.Graphical abstract

Efficacy of sutimlimab for cold agglutinin disease in a patient on chronic hemodialysis.

Reports of cold agglutinin disease (CAD), an autoimmune hemolytic anemia, in dialysis patients are limited. Recently, sutimlimab for CAD was covered by insurance. Herein, we report a case in which sutimlimab was effective in the treatment of CAD in a patient undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The patient was a 73year-old Japanese man with an 11year history of HD for diabetic nephropathy. He was admitted to our hospital for examination and treatment of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)-induced hyporesponsive anemia and fatigue, which was present in the previous year October to March when temperatures were cooler. The patient was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia based on decreased hemoglobin levels, elevated reticulocyte count, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, and decreased haptoglobin levels. Furthermore, he was diagnosed with CAD based on a positive direct antiglobulin test for C3 and cold agglutinin tests. The patient did not respond well to an elevated dialysate temperature or rituximab therapy. After initiating sutimlimab treatment, an increase in the hemoglobin level was observed despite a decrease in temperature, and his fatigue disappeared. Anemia in hemodialysis patients is generally renal; however, some ESA resistance exists, which may be due to hemolytic anemia. In this case, the use of sutimlimab was effective in controlling hemolytic anemia due to CAD.

Real-World Treatment of Hypertension on Hemodialyses Data from a Large Polish Database.

The prevalence of hypertension among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) ranges from 72 to 88% depending on applied diagnostic criteria and the chosen method of blood pressure measurement. Despite the guidelines recommending the widespread use of renin-angiotensin system blockers (RASBs) in patients with kidney disease, their utilization in patients on HD may be suboptimal, especially in patients with preserved diuresis. This hesitance that often steams from concern is often due to fear of a decrease in eGFR and a subsequent decrease in diuresis. The aim of this study was to compare clinical characteristics, blood pressure, safety, and HD adequacy indices in hypertensive HD patients on multiple antihypertensive drug regimens, including diuretic treated with RASB (RASB group) or without RASB (no-RASB) with preserved residual diuresis. We sought to examine the real-life use of RASB in HD patients in relation to their clinical characteristics, blood pressure, safety, and HD adequacy. From a database of 5,879 patients receiving HD (mean age 65.2 ± 14.2 years, 60% of males) of the largest provider of HD in the country, we selected the subgroup treated with at least three antihypertensive medications including diuretics. We compared patients treated with RASB to counterparts without RASB (no-RASB). The RASB group has similar age and gender proportions as well as BMI and bioimpedance compared to counterparts. However, dry body mass was significantly lower in the RASB group (78.1 ± 18.3 kg vs. 80.0 ± 18.2 kg, p < 0.017). Prevalence of diabetes mellitus was similar in both groups, but RASB-treated patients have cardiovascular diseases more frequently (70.1 vs. 60.8%; p < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure and the number of antihypertensive drugs used were significantly higher in RASB patients than in counterparts (146 ± 16 mm Hg vs. 144 ± 15 mm Hg; p < 0.001 and 4.1 ± 0.9 vs. 3.5 ± 0.5; p < 0001, respectively). RASB-treated patients have significantly longer dialysis vintage (52.7 ± 44.4 months vs. 40.2 ± 40.9 months; p < 0.001) and dialysis time (722 ± 87.1 min/week vs. 713 ± 93.4 min/week; p < 0.017) than counterparts. Serum potassium was slightly but significantly higher in RASB (5.3 ± 0.8 mmol/L vs. 5.1 ± 0.7 mmol/L; p < 0.01). In the real world setting, RASB can be safely used in HD patients treated with diuretics with preserved residual diuresis. Given that many HD patients present numerous multimorbidities, RASB should not only be considered as an additional hypotensive drug in poorly controlled hypertension but also in other compelling indications in HD patients. The tendency toward hyperkalemia in HD patients could be effectively managed with appropriate diet and HD prescription adjustments.

Diurnal and Daily Symptom Variation in Patients with End Stage Kidney Disease: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on hemodialysis (HD) experience a high symptom burden which is compounded by unpredictable fluctuations in symptom severity. Few studies have used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to determine how symptoms vary over time. This study aimed to characterize the diurnal and day-to-day variability in symptoms among HD patients. Patients enrolled in the Technology Assisted Collaborative Care (TĀCcare) trial rated the intensity of physical, cognitive, and mood symptoms using an automated telephone-administered version of the Daytime Insomnia Symptom Scale (DISS) at four time-points (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, evening) for seven consecutive days at baseline. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify the original four-factor solution for the DISS: sleepiness/fatigue (SF), alert cognition (AC), positive mood (PM), and negative mood (NM). Symptom domain scores were calculated for each time point and mixed modeling with random patient effects was used to examine differences in daily symptoms daily time points between HD and non-HD days after controlling for age, gender, race, and comorbidity burden. One hundred and sixty patients were enrolled (mean±SD age 58±14 years, 45% women, 52% White). Diurnal symptom variation existed; trends were non-linear and differed by HD vs. non-HD days. Day-to-day symptom variation also existed; patients endorsed better physical, cognitive, and mood states (i.e., higher AC and PM) as well as lower symptom burden (i.e., lower SF and NM) on non-HD days compared to HD days at all time-points. The greatest day-to-day mean differences (MDs) were observed in the early afternoon for all symptom domains: AC (MD=0.17 p<0.001), PM (MD=0.28, p<0.001), SF (MD=-0.66, p<0.001), and NM (MD=-0.26, p<0.001). Patients with ESKD demonstrate diurnal variation in symptoms and greater symptom burden on HD days compared to non-HD days, with the most extreme differences in symptom severity occurring in the early afternoon.

The utilization of renal dialysis: a comprehensive study in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundUnderstanding the trend of utilization of renal dialysis in Saudi Arabia (SA) is fundamental as it provides a general overview of renal care. The practice of renal dialysis assists in identifying challenges, opportunities, and potential areas for improvement in the provision of the services.ObjectivesThis research investigated the utilization of renal dialysis services in SA by exploring the number of renal dialysis centers, hemodialysis machines (HD), and peritoneodialysis patients.MethodsThe dataset for this study was derived from a collaboration between the General Authority of Statistics (GaStat) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), focusing on indicators for renal dialysis centers and patients across health sectors in 2021. Analysis was conducted using MS Excel 365 and IBM SPSS Version 29, incorporating multiple regression techniques. The health sector was treated as the dependent variable. At the same time, the number of hemodialysis (HD) machines and the counts of HD and peritoneal dialysis patients were considered independent variables.ResultsAround 275 renal dialysis centers, over 8000 HD machines, 20,440 HD patients, and 1,861 peritoneal patients were tallied from two resources. The findings revealed a negative relationship between the health sector and several renal dialysis centers and peritoneodialysis patients, as demonstrated by p < 0.05 in multiple regression analysis.ConclusionThe number of renal dialysis centers influences the availability of HD machines, affecting the number of HD and peritoneodialysis patients. Most national patients preferred MoH over other semi-governmental and private sectors, and vice versa for non-Saudis.

Safety and efficacy of very low calorie diet in patients receiving haemodialysis therapy.

Very low calorie diets (VLCDs) are an obesity treatment option in the general population, but their efficacy and safety in patients on haemodialysis (HD) is unknown. Prospective single arm study of VLCD in haemodialysis patients. All participants received 2.5-3.3MJ/day for 12weeks. Weekly assessment of VLCD, pre- and post-dialysis weight, inter-dialytic weight gain, and blood electrolytes occurred for the first 4 weeks, then fortnightly for another 8 weeks. Linear mixed models compared the change in weight over time as well as biochemical outcomes including potassium. Twenty-two participants [nine home HD (HHD) and 13 satellite HD (SHD)] enrolled with 19 completing the 12-week intervention. Mean post-dialysis weight declined from 121.1kg at baseline to 109.9 at week 12 resulting in average decline of 0.88kg per week (95% C.I. 0.71, 1.05, P<.001) with 12-week mean percentage weight loss9.3% (SD 3.5). Mean post-dialysis body mass index declined from 40.9kg/m2 at baseline to 37.1kg/m2 at week 12 (95% C.I. 0.25, 0.35, P<.001). Serum potassium rose from week 1 to 3, stabilized during weeks 4 to 6, and fell from week 8, returning near baseline by week 12. Six of the nine (66.6%) HHD participants and seven of the 13 (70%) SHD participants had at least one episode of hyperkalaemia (K>6mmol/l). There were no clinical changes in serum sodium, corrected calcium, or phosphate levels during the study. VLCD with dietitian supervision was effective in producing significant weight reduction, with an acceptable safety profile in patients treated with haemodialysis.

Antihypertensive Drug Treatment and the Risk for Intrahemodialysis Hypotension.

Antihypertensive medications are often prescribed to manage hypertension in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common complication in these patients. We investigated the risk of IDH in incident HD patients who initiated treatment with antihypertensive drugs in monotherapy. The study was conducted as an emulation of a randomized clinical trial in 4072 incident HD patients who started anti-hypertensive drug treatment between January 2016 to December 2019. The primary outcome was the occurrence of IDH during HD sessions. The Gener alised Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis was adjusted by inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW). Calcium channel blocker (CCB) use was associated with an IDH incidence rate of 7.4 events per person-year (95% CI: 6.2-8.6). Compared to CCB use, use of beta and alpha-beta blockers was strongly associated with a higher likelihood of IDH (OR [95% CI] 2.27 [1.50-3.43]). Use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (OR [95% CI] 1.71 [1.14-2.57]) and diuretics (OR [95% CI] 1.52 [1.07-2.16]) were also associated with higher likelihood of IDH compared to CCB use. The study suggests that using beta and alpha-beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, and diuretics may increase the risk of IDH in HD patients compared to CCB use.

EXPLORING RISK FACTORS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem with increasing prevalence, poor prognosis, and high costs. CKD is a condition where kidney function decreases, characterized by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 mL/minute per 1.73 m², for at least 3 months. Hemodialysis (HD) is a type of kidney replacement therapy used as a treatment for CKD. There are obstructive and non-obstructive causes of CKD. Apart from diabetes mellitus, hypertension is a non-obstructive causal factor associated with the onset of CKD. This study aims to determine the relationship between risk factors for the occurrence of CKD in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Research Methods: This study aims to determine the relationship between risk factors for the occurrence of CKD in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This research is correlational analytical research with a cross-sectional approach. Sampling was based on a non-probability sampling technique, namely purposive sampling, with a sample size of 100 respondents obtained from January to December 2023 from medical record data. Test the analysis using Chi Square. Result: Bivariate analysis test results of risk factors associated with CKD in hemodialysis patients, it was found that there was a relationship between HT and the incidence of CKD with a significant value of p=0.000 (0.000 p

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease for the Primary Care Physician.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). RRT includes hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), kidney transplantation (KT), and medical management. As CKD advances, the management of DM may change as medication clearance, effectiveness, and side effects can be altered due to decreasing renal clearance. Medications like metformin that were safe to use early in CKD may build up toxic levels of metabolites in advanced CKD. Other medications, like sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, which work by excreting glucose in the urine, may not be able to work effectively in advanced CKD due to fewer working nephrons. Insulin breakdown may take longer, and both formulation and dosing may need to be changed to avoid hypoglycemia. While DM control contributes to CKD progression, effective DM control continues to be important even after patients have been placed on RRT. Patients on RRT are frequently taken care of by a team of providers, including the primary care physician, both in and outsidethe hospital. Non-nephrologists who are involved with the care of a patient treated with RRT need to be adept at managing DM in this population. This paper aims to outline the management of type 2 DM in advanced CKD.

Retrospective evaluation of three types of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for upper limb vascular access

Currently, three expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) prosthetic graft types are most commonly used for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who require long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. However, studies comparing the three ePTFE grafts are limited. This study compared the clinical efficacy and postoperative complications of three ePTFE prosthetic graft types used for upper limb arteriovenous graft (AVG) surgery among patients with ESKD. Patients with ESKD requiring upper limb AVG surgery admitted to our center between January 2016 and September 2019 were enrolled. Overall, 282 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up were included and classified into the following three groups according to the ePTFE graft type: the GPVG group with the PROPATEN® graft, the GAVG group with the straight-type GORE® ACUSEAL, and the BVVG group with the VENAFLO® II. The patency rate and incidence of access-related complications were analyzed and compared between groups. The patients were followed up postoperatively, and data were collected at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Respective to these follow-up time points, in the GPVG group, the primary patency rates were 74.29%, 65.71%, 51.43%, and 42.86%; the assisted primary patency rates were 85.71%, 74.29%, 60.00%, and 48.57%; and the secondary patency rates were 85.71%, 80.00%, 71.43%, and 60.00%. In the GAVG group, the primary patency rates were 73.03%, 53.93%, 59.42%, and 38.20%; the assisted primary patency rates were 83.15%, 68.54%, 59.55%, and 53.93%; and the secondary patency rates were 85.39%, 77.53%, 68.54%, and 62.92%, respectively. In the BVVG group, the primary patency rates were 67.24%, 53.45%, 41.38%, and 29.31%; the assisted primary patency rates were 84.48%, 67.24%, 55.17%, and 44.83%; and the secondary patency rates were 86.21%, 81.03%, 68.97%, and 60.34%, respectively. The differences in patency rates across the three grafts were not statistically significant. Overall, 18, 4, and 12 patients in the GPVG, GAVG, and BVVG groups, respectively, experienced seroma. Among the three grafts, GORE® ACUSEAL had the shortest anastomosis hemostatic time. The first cannulation times for the three grafts were GPVG at 16 (±8.2), GAVG at 4 (±4.9), and BVVG at 18 (±12.7) days. No significant difference was found in the postoperative swelling rate between the GPVG group and the other two groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found across the three graft types regarding postoperative vascular access stenosis and thrombosis, ischemic steal syndrome, pseudoaneurysm, or infection. In conclusion, no statistically significant differences in the postoperative primary, assisted primary, or secondary graft patency rates were observed among the three groups. A shorter anastomosis hemostatic time, first cannulation time, and seroma occurrence were observed with the ACUSEAL® graft than with its counterparts. The incidence of upper extremity swelling postoperatively was greater with the PROPATEN® graft than with the other grafts. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three grafts regarding the remaining complications.

Association of Early Dexmedetomidine Utilization With Clinical Outcomes After Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an expensive and common public health problem. Management of TBI oftentimes includes sedation to facilitate mechanical ventilation (MV) for airway protection. Dexmedetomidine has emerged as a potential candidate for improved patient outcomes when used for early sedation after TBI due to its potential modulation of autonomic dysfunction. We examined early sedation patterns, as well as the association of dexmedetomidine exposure with clinical and functional outcomes among mechanically ventilated patients with moderate-severe TBI (msTBI) in the United States. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Premier dataset and identified a cohort of critically ill adult patients with msTBI who required MV from January 2016 to June 2020. msTBI was defined by head-neck abbreviated injury scale (AIS) values of 3 (serious), 4 (severe), and 5 (critical). We described early continuous sedative utilization patterns. Using propensity-matched models, we examined the association of early dexmedetomidine exposure (within 2 days of intensive care unit [ICU] admission) with the primary outcome of hospital mortality and the following secondary outcomes: hospital length of stay (LOS), days on MV, vasopressor use after the first 2 days of admission, hemodialysis (HD) after the first 2 days of admission, hospital costs, and discharge disposition. All medications, treatments, and procedures were identified using date-stamped hospital charge codes. The study population included 19,751 subjects who required MV within 2 days of ICU admission. The patients were majority male and white. From 2016 to 2020, the annual percent utilization of dexmedetomidine increased from 4.05% to 8.60%. After propensity score matching, early dexmedetomidine exposure was associated with reduced odds of hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.74; P < .0001), increased risk for liberation from MV (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.33; P = .0003), and reduced LOS (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; P = .033). Exposure to early dexmedetomidine was not associated with odds of HD (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.73-1.78; P = .56), vasopressor utilization (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.78-1.55; P = .60), or increased hospital costs (relative cost ratio, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.93-1.03; P = .66). Dexmedetomidine is being utilized increasingly as a sedative for mechanically ventilated patients with msTBI. Early dexmedetomidine exposure may lead to improved patient outcomes in this population.

Percutaneous Endovascular Creation of a Neo-arteriovenous Fistula in Dysfunctional Hemodialysis Fistulas.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) is the preferred type of hemodialysis access, but when an arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) calcifies, surgical revision of the AVF may be required. We report a technique to create percutaneous artery-to-vein intervascular neo-fistulas for re-anastomosis of AVA and evaluate its safety and efficacy. 9 patients who failed either guidewire navigation or conventional balloon dilation for calcified AVA stenosis/occlusion underwent a salvage procedure of their dialysis shunt by the percutaneous creation of a new arteriovenous fistula. Needle puncture of the adjacent supplying artery and outflow vein under ultrasonographic and/or fluoroscopic guidance was performed and followed by balloon dilation, with or without stent graft placement. The detailed techniques, technical success, primary neo-fistula patency, primary and secondary access patency rates were reported herein. Technical success was achieved in 100% of the 9 patients treated (7 neo-fistulas with stents and 2 neo-fistulas without stent placement). The median primary neo-fistula and access patencies were 15 and 5months, respectively. The primary neo-fistula patency rates at 6, 12, and 18months were 72.9%, 54.7% and 27.9%, respectively, with secondary neo-fistula and access patency rates of 72.9%, 72.9% and 72.9%, respectively.One delayed complication of pseudoaneurysm formation occurred, which was managed by the successful endovascular deployment of a stent graft on an out-patient basis. Percutaneous artery-to-vein intervascular neo-fistula creation is feasible for re-anastomosing calcified AVA, with low adverse effects and acceptable primary neo-fistula and secondary access patency.

Retroperitoneal leakage as an important cause of acquired ultrafiltration decline in peritoneal dialysis: clinical characteristics and related risk factors.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely-used renal replacement therapy while low ultrafiltration volume usually results in technique failure. Retroperitoneal leakage has been reported to be one of the causes of acquired decline in ultrafiltration. The present study investigated retroperitoneal leakage in PD patients and explored related risk factors. This study was designed as a prospective, observational study. A total of 420 PD patients regularly followed up at our center were enrolled from May 2011 to July 2021 and followed until December 2021. Retroperitoneal leakage was determined by magnetic resonance peritoneography and was used as the endpoint. Patients with retroperitoneal leakage were given intermittent PD or temporary hemodialysis (HD) as therapy. Cox regression models were used to identify risk factors for retroperitoneal leakage. The cohort was followed up for up to 125.0months (median: 46.4months; interquartile range: 16.6months). During the follow-up, 68 patients developed retroperitoneal leakage, with 31 (45.6%) cases occurring within the first year after PD initiation. A total of 62 (91.2%) patients recovered from retroperitoneal leakage and resumed their original PD regimen. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age and gender were independent predictors for retroperitoneal leakage. Younger males were more likely to develop retroperitoneal leakage. In females, waistline and body mass index (BMI) were found to be risk factors for retroperitoneal leakage. Retroperitoneal leakage was common in PD patients with ultrafiltration insufficiency and was usually reversible after appropriate treatment. Age and gender were independent risk factors for retroperitoneal leakage.

Hemodialysis patients have signs of a chronic thrombotic burden

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are the dominant cause of morbidity in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Unless sufficient anticoagulation is used during HD, clotting may appear. The objective was to investigate if levels of fibrin degradation products (D-dimer) were increased before and during HD.MethodsThe combined observational study included 20 patients performing a total of 60 hemodialysis divided into three sessions of low-flux dialysis. None of the patients suffered from any clinically evident thromboembolic event before or during the study. Median bolus anticoagulation (mainly tinzaparin) doses were 84 Units/kg bow. Blood samples were drawn before HD (predialysis), and at 30min and 180min during HD with focus on analyzing D-dimer levels and its relation to interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and speed of fluid elimination by HD (UF-rate).ResultsPredialysis, D-dimer levels (mean 0.767 ±0.821, min 0.136mg/L) were above the upper reference value in 95% of the sessions. D-dimer levels were lowered at 30min (p<0.001) and returned to predialysis levels at 180min. Predialysis D-dimer correlated with NT-pro-BNP, Troponin T, IDWG and UF-rate. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the D-dimer levels were significantly related to IDWG and the UF-rate.ConclusionsD-dimer levels were elevated in a high proportion predialysis and during HD and related to the IDWG and the UF-rate. Awareness of D-dimer levels and future studies will help clarify if optimization of those variables, besides anticoagulation and biocompatibility measures, will eradicate the repeated subclinical thromboembolic events related to each HD; one reason that may explain organ damage and shortened life span of these patients.

Leptin Is Associated with Testosterone, Nutritional Markers, and Vascular Muscular Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes specific hormonal disturbances, such as variations in leptin and testosterone levels and function. These disturbances can promote errors in signaling interaction and cellular information processing and can be implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study investigates the factors that affect leptin in CKD patients and examines how leptin is related to markers of vascular disease. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 162 patients with CKD in pre-dialysis and dialysis stages. We recorded clinical and laboratory data, including leptin, testosterone, and subclinical atherosclerosis markers like brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba PWV) in pre-dialysis CKD patients and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Leptin was significantly correlated with testosterone in CKD pre-dialysis stages (p < 0.001) and also in HD (p = 0.026), with adipose tissue mass in pre-dialysis stages (p < 0.001), and also in HD (p < 0.001). In women HD patients, leptin correlated with NMD (p = 0.039; r = -0.379); in all HD patients, leptin correlated with C reactive protein (p = 0.007; r = 0.28) and parathormone (p = 0.039; r = -0.220). Our research emphasizes the connection between leptin, adipose tissue, and testosterone in all stages of CKD. Leptin was associated with NMD in HD women and correlated with inflammatory syndrome and parathyroid hormone in all HD patients.

The effect of synbiotic supplementation on plasma levels of advanced glycation end products and cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients: A double‐blind clinical trial

AbstractThere is increasing evidence supporting the relationship between imbalance of gut microbiota and development of chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation on plasma levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 36 HD patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive two synbiotic supplements (n = 19) or placebo (n = 17) daily for 12 weeks. Levels of AGEs, fibrinogen, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and other measures were assessed at the beginning and end of the study. The data were analyzed using independent t‐tests, paired t‐tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). At the end of the study, the plasma levels of AGEs increased significantly in both the synbiotic (p &lt; .001) and control (p = .001) groups, but the difference between the groups was not significant (p = .272). Plasma levels of fibrinogen decreased specifically within the synbiotic group (p = .007), and a statistically significant disparity between the groups persisted at the study's conclusion (p = .016). The mean levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased (p &lt; .05) in both groups, but there was no difference between the two groups at the end of the study (p = .116). No significant differences were observed in other measured biomarkers. Synbiotic supplementation improved plasma fibrinogen and BUN levels in HD patients, but did not significantly improve AGEs and HbA1c. Further investigations are needed to investigate the effect of probiotics on AGEs in HD patients at different stages of kidney disease.

Protocol for a hybrid effectiveness-implementation clinical trial evaluating video-assisted electronic consent vs standard consent for patients initiating and continuing haemodialysis in Australia (eConsent HD)

IntroductionCommunicating complex information about haemodialysis (HD) and ensuring it is well understood remains a challenge for clinicians. Informed consent is a high-impact checkpoint in augmenting patients’ decision awareness and engagement...

Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 among Hemodialysis Patients in Mexico: First Identification of Chronic Infection.

The global distribution of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is attributed to its capacity to spread through several routes of transmission; hemodialysis has gained increased amounts of attention in recent years. Although Mexico is considered a hyperendemic region for hepatitis E, no HEV surveillance is performed in the country. The frequency of HEV in hemodialysis (HD) patients has not been determined. Herein, we conducted a cross-sectional single-center analytical study including 67 serum samples from HD patients. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies and the viral genome were determined; partial regions within the HEV genome were sequenced for further phylogenetic analysis. Globally, 14.9% of the tested patients exhibited reactivity for IgG antibodies against HEV, and none showed reactivity to IgM. A total of 5.9% of the samples showed HEV genome amplification, and sequencing confirmed the identity of genotype 3; subsequent analysis of positive cases revealed two acute cases and chronic hepatitis E infection in one patient. Notably, the chronic patient was negative for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. Our findings highlight the importance of viral genome testing in HD patients and the need to establish guidelines for HEV detection in Mexico.

Extracorporeal treatment in poisoning

In rare cases, intoxicated patients may require an extracorporeal procedure for enhanced toxin elimination. The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup provides consensus- and evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of extracorporeal procedures in the management of critically ill, poisoned patients, with ongoing updates. Extracorporeal clearance is highest for low molecular weight substances with low volume of distribution, low plasma protein binding, and high water-solubility. To maximize the effect of extracorporeal clearance, blood and dialysate flow rates should be as high as possible, and the membrane with the largest surface area should be utilized. Intermittent hemodialysis is the most commonly employed extracorporeal procedure due to its highest effectiveness, while hemodynamically compromised patients can benefit from acontinuous procedure.

Revised cardiac risk index in predicting cardiovascular complications in patients receiving chronic kidney replacement therapy undergoing elective general surgery

IntroductionThe Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) is a six-parameter model that is commonly used in assessing individual 30-day perioperative cardiovascular risk before general surgery, but its use in patients on chronic kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is unvalidated. This study aimed to externally validate RCRI in this patient group over a 15-year period.MethodsData linkage was used between the the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry and jurisdictional hospital admisisons data across Australia and New Zealand to identify all incident and prevalent patients on chronic KRT between 2000 and 2015 who underwent elective abdominal surgery. Chronic KRT was categorised as haemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), home haemodialysis (HHD) and kidney transplant. The outcome of interest was major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) which was defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, non-fatal cardiac arrest and cardiovascular mortality at 30 days. Logistic regression was used with the RCRI score included as a continuous variable to estimate discrimination by area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). Calibration was evaluated using a calibration plot. Clinical utility was assessed using a decision curve analysis to determine the net benefit.ResultsA total of 5094 elective surgeries were undertaken, and MACE occurred in 153 individuals (3.0%). Overall, RCRI had poor discrimination in patients on chronic KRT undergoing elective surgery (AUROC 0.67), particularly in patients aged greater than 65 years (AUROC 0.591). A calibration plot showed that RCRI overestimated risk of MACE. The expected-to-observed outcome ratio was 6.0, 5.1 and 2.5 for those with RCRI scores of 1, 2 and ≥ 3, respectively. Discrimination was moderate in patients under 65 years and in kidney transplant recipients, with AUROC values of 0.740 and 0.718, respectively. Overestimation was common but less so for kidney transplant recipients. Decision curve analysis showed that there was no net benefit of using the tool in neither the overall cohort nor patients under 65 years, but a slight benefit associated with threshold probability > 5.5% in kidney transplant recipients.ConclusionsThe RCRI tool performed poorly and overestimated risk in patients on chronic dialysis, potentially misinforming patients and clinicians about the risk of elective surgery. Further research is needed to define a more comprehensive means of estimating risk in this unique population.