Hours Of Hemodialysis Research Articles

Removal of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins during Hemodialysis Using a Binding Competitor.

Current hemodialysis techniques fail to efficiently remove the protein-bound uremic toxins p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate due to their high degree of albumin binding. Ibuprofen, which shares the same primary albumin binding site with p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate, can be infused during hemodialysis to displace these toxins, thereby augmenting their removal. We infused 800 mg ibuprofen into the arterial bloodline between minutes 21 and 40 of a conventional 4-hour high-flux hemodialysis treatment. We measured arterial, venous, and dialysate outlet concentrations of indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate, tryptophan, ibuprofen, urea, and creatinine before, during, and after the ibuprofen infusion. We report clearances of p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate before and during ibuprofen infusion and dialysate concentrations of protein-bound uremic toxins normalized to each patient's average preinfusion concentrations. We studied 18 patients on maintenance hemodialysis: age 36±11 years old, ten women, and mean vintage of 37±37 months. Compared with during the preinfusion period, the median (interquartile range) clearances of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate increased during ibuprofen infusion from 6.0 (6.5) to 20.2 (27.1) ml/min and from 4.4 (6.7) to 14.9 (27.1) ml/min (each P<0.001), respectively. Relative median (interquartile range) protein-bound uremic toxin dialysate outlet levels increased from preinfusion 1.0 (reference) to 2.4 (1.2) for indoxyl sulfate and to 2.4 (1.0) for p-cresyl sulfate (each P<0.001). Although median serum post- and predialyzer levels in the preinfusion period were similar, infusion led to a marked drop in serum postdialyzer levels for both indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate (-1.0 and -0.3 mg/dl, respectively; each P<0.001). The removal of the nonprotein-bound solutes creatinine and urea was not increased by the ibuprofen infusion. Infusion of ibuprofen into the arterial bloodline during hemodialysis significantly increases the dialytic removal of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate and thereby, leads to greater reduction in their serum levels.

Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to Wegener’s Granulomatosis

Objective: Wegener’s granulomatosis is a systemic vasculitis, characterized by multifocal vascular necrotizing inflammation and granulomatosis that affects small and medium-sized blood vessels. It is associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autobody and causes alveolar hemorrhage and renal insufficiency leads to high mortality rates. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive treatment choice for patients with severe respiratory failure. We present an ECMO application to 64 year-old female patient with acute alveolar hemorrhage and respiratory failure due to Wegener’s granulomatosis under CPR. Case Report: A 64 year-old female patient, previously diagnosed with chronic renal failure due to Wegener’s granulomatosis, admitted to our hospital for routine hemodialysis programme. At the end of the first hour of hemodialysis a worsening in her general condition occured and she required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Computerized thorax tomography revealed bilateral intraalveolar hemorrhage. Although proper medical therapy the patient had respiratory arrest. Despite successful CPR, adequate oxygenation couldn’t be reached, and ECMO treatment was initated. Clinical, radiological and laboratory findings showed improvement two days after ECMO initation but the patient died due to multiorgan failure in the fifth day of the therapy. Conclusion: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a life-threatining complication associated with Wegener’s granulomatosis. Mechanical ventilator dependent respiratory failure may develop and this process can be mortal. ECMO is a reasonable management option for such clinical situations.

Effect of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus on serum uremic toxins (phenol and P-Cresol) in hemodialysis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Uremic toxins such as p-cresol and phenol are suggested to be associated with higher mortality in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics on some serum uremic toxin levels in hemodialysis patients. Patients undergoing hemodialysis in a university dialysis center were enrolled in this randomized controlled double blind clinical trial. The patients received probiotic (Lactobacillus Rhamnosus) for duration of 4 weeks. All data were presented as the mean±SD. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS statistical software. Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-treatment p-cresol levels. P values less than .05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 42 hemodialysis patients (32 male and 10 female) were enrolled in this study. The mean±SD age of the patients in Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and placebo groups were 57.05±13.96 and 59.67±15.04 years, respectively. Values of uremic toxins before treatment did not differ statistically between groups but they were significantly lower in Lactobacillus Rhamnosus group compared with placebo group (P<.05). Total Phenol and p-cresol levels were associated with sodium, energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein intake and fiber consumption, accompanying by hemodialysis hours per week in linear regression analyses. This study demonstrated that probiotics could be a promising target in hemodialysis patients with the capability of decreasing serum phenolic uremic toxins in this population. IRCT20154182017N21 Date:09/12/2016.

Functional impairment and risk of mortality in patients on chronic hemodialysis: results of the Lazio Dialysis Registry.

Functional impairment is associated with adverse outcomes in older people, as well as in patients on chronic hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate if functional impairment represents a risk factor for reduced survival in patients on chronic hemodialysis. All incident chronic hemodialysis patients of Lazio, a large region of central Italy, registered in the Dialysis and Transplant Lazio Region Registry (DTLRR) in the period 2008-2013 were considered eligible. Inclusion criteria were: age > 18 years, resident in Lazio, still doing dialysis after 90days from incidence date, doing hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration treatment for > 9h/week. Patients were stratified into three classes of functional activity: total autonomy, autonomy in some activities, and not self-sufficient. Functional activity was assessed for each patient by the referring physician for the DTLRR from the ~ 90 hemodialysis units of the Lazio region. Each patient was followed from date of first dialysis treatment to the end of the study (31/12/2015) or death or renal transplant, whichever occurred first. Cox proportional hazard models were performed to obtain mortality hazard ratios (HR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), for each class of functional activity adjusting for sex, age, country of birth, city of residence, body mass index (BMI), type of nephropathy, vascular access, previous nephrology counselling, weekly hours of hemodialysis, serum albumin, hemoglobin, and presence of comorbidities (e.g. vascular diseases, coronary disease, and diabetes). A total of 3356 patients were studied. In the whole follow-up period, 1622 deaths occurred (48%). Functional impairment was associated with the risk of mortality: compared to 'total autonomy', the HR for 'autonomy in some activities' was 1.30 [95% CI: 1.14-1.49] and for 'not self-sufficient' 1.71 [1.47-1.99] (p for trend < 0.05). The number of evitable deaths attributable to reduced functional activity was 237. Functional impairment represents a risk factor for reduced survival in chronic hemodialysis patients. There is a need for early identification of patients who might benefit from interventions aimed at preventing, reversing or delaying the functional impairment.

Efficacy of intradialytic exercise on blood pressure among patients on hemodialysis

Introduction: Controlling blood pressure is a key to lowering the risk of complications and achieving more comfortable treatment. There are unique challenges in both the measurement and management of blood pressure in dialysis patients. Exercise during hemodialysis could control improve the blood pressure. Aim: The aim of the study to assess the efficacy of intradialytic exercise on blood pressure among patients on hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: Quasi experimental research design was adopted to conduct the study with 130 samples who met the inclusion criteria in hemodialysis unit and samples allocated into experimental group (n=65) and control group (n=65). The demographic questionnaire was completed at the beginning of the study. Pre-test was conducted to determine the blood pressure in both the group. Experimental group received intradialytic exercise during first two hours of hemodialysis for 3months besides control group received the routine care. Post test was conducted at the end of 3rd month after the dialysis session. Data were analyzed using Sigma Plot 12 (Systat, USA). Results: Among the patients in the experimental group, pre-test and post-test values were compared (Paired t’ test) and observed statistical significant (p<0.001) changes in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure after the intervention whereas no significant changes was found within the control group.Conclusion: The study concludes that the intradialytic exercise is simple, non-pharmacological and cost effective in reducing blood pressure.

Phosphate Removal During Conventional Hemodialysis: a Decades-Old Misconception

Background/Aims: Hyperphosphatemia is associated with high mortality rate in patients on dialysis. Conventional hemodialysis (HD) is a limit technique in removing phosphate (P). There is a widespread belief that P is removed mainly in the first hour of HD. The aim of this study was to certify the percentage of 1-hour removal of P as compared to the entire procedure. Methods: data from the first dialysis of the week of 21 patients (13 men, age 44±15 years), for 3 consecutive dialysis sessions were evaluated. Fresh dialysate samples were collected at 1 hour and at the end of the session from a partial spent dialysate collection method. Results: Pre dialysis serum P was 4.7±1.7 mg/dl. Reduction rate of serum P was 47.4 ± 14.3 and 45.1 ± 10.8% in 1- and 4-hour of HD, respectively (p=0.322). P removal was 194 (145, 242) mg in 1-hour (p<0.0001), which represents 25.0 ± 0.2% of the total removed during the entire HD. Patients with pre dialysis P ≥ 5.5mg/dl had higher P removal during HD than those with P < 5.5mg/dl [975 (587, 1354) vs. 776 (580, 784) mg, p=0.025], although the percentage of removal in 1 hour was not different from those with P < 5.5mg/d (24.9 ± 0.3 vs. 25.0 ± 0.1%, p=0.918). P removal during dialysis correlated with pre dialysis serum P (r=0.455, p=0.001), parathormone (r=0.264, p=0.037) and ultrafiltration volume (r=0.343, p=0.019). Conclusion: despite the P serum concentration normalizing in the first hour of hemodialysis, the removal in the same period reaches only 25% of the entire session.

Complementary Initiatives from the NIDDK to Advance Kidney Health.

Despite the high prevalence and burden of acute and chronic kidney diseases, our understanding of appropriate clinical care and underlying disease pathology is far from complete. Nephrology clinical practice guidelines are littered with weak recommendations on the basis of low or very low evidence.

The role of hemodialysis in treatment of acute acetic acid poisonings.

The aim of this study is to show the importance of hemodialysis as an active method in treatment of acute acetic acid poisonings. Its main role is to support the renal function during the state of the intoxication when patients develop acute renal failure. We analyzed data from a 10-year period, a total of 71 patients who ingested acetic acid, either intentionally or accidentally. Patients with a need of hemodialysis (HD) treatment underwent 3- to 4-hour HD sessions every day or every second day, according to clinical assessment, as needed, until recovery of kidney function. In the period between 2006 and 2015 at the university clinic for toxicology and urgent internal medicine, we hospitalized 6,106 patients with different kinds of intoxication, of which 1.162% ingested concentrated acetic acid; 47 patients were female and 24 were male. The minimal age of patients was 18 and the maximal 74 years. A total of 28 (39.43%) of the patients developed acute renal failure and in 10 patients (14.08%) we used hemodialysis as a part of the treatment. The maximum number of performed sessions in one patient was five and the minimal number of performed sessions in one patents was only one session. The use of heparin led to fatal bleeding in 4 patients. The mortality rate was 7% and most of the cases resulted in fatalities during the first 96 hours after ingestion. Acetic acid poisonings are one of the most dangerous intoxications seen in clinical toxicology. The use of hemodialysis in some of the patients who develop acute renal failure can be of great importance and it should be put into official treatment protocols due to its great number of advantages in renal function support.

腎不全の透析療法についての基礎的, 臨床的研究 : (第三報)特に透析開始時における白血球減少について

腎不全の透析療法についての基礎的, 臨床的研究 : (第三報)特に透析開始時における白血球減少について

A Trial of Extending Hemodialysis Hours and Quality of Life.

The relationship between increased hemodialysis hours and patient outcomes remains unclear. We randomized (1:1) 200 adult recipients of standard maintenance hemodialysis from in-center and home-based hemodialysis programs to extended weekly (≥24 hours) or standard (target 12-15 hours, maximum 18 hours) hemodialysis hours for 12 months. The primary outcome was change in quality of life from baseline assessed by the EuroQol 5 dimension instrument (3 level) (EQ-5D). Secondary outcomes included medication usage, clinical laboratory values, vascular access events, and change in left ventricular mass index. At 12 months, median weekly hemodialysis hours were 24.0 (interquartile range, 23.6-24.0) and 12.0 (interquartile range, 12.0-16.0) in the extended and standard groups, respectively. Change in EQ-5D score at study end did not differ between groups (mean difference, 0.04 [95% confidence interval, -0.03 to 0.11]; P=0.29). Extended hours were associated with lower phosphate and potassium levels and higher hemoglobin levels. Blood pressure (BP) did not differ between groups at study end. Extended hours were associated with fewer BP-lowering agents and phosphate-binding medications, but were not associated with erythropoietin dosing. In a substudy with 95 patients, we detected no difference between groups in left ventricular mass index (mean difference, -6.0 [95% confidence interval, -14.8 to 2.7] g/m2; P=0.18). Five deaths occurred in the extended group and two in the standard group (P=0.44); two participants in each group withdrew consent. Similar numbers of patients experienced vascular access events in the two groups. Thus, extending weekly hemodialysis hours did not alter overall EQ-5D quality of life score, but was associated with improvement in some laboratory parameters and reductions in medication burden. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00649298).

Effect of Mealtime During Hemodialysis on Patients' Complications.

Introduction: Food intake during hemodialysis increases the risk of problems such as hypotension, nausea, and vomiting in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to determine the effect of mealtime during dialysis on the patients’ complications. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study consisted of all eligible hemodialysis patients in Hamadan teaching hospitals. All of 48 patients were selected through census method. The research was conducted in two sessions. At both sessions, patients were kept fasting prior to hemodialysis. In the first session, after one hour and in the second session after two hours of hemodialysis, a meal containing 350 kcal of energy was given to the patients. Blood pressure and intensity of nausea and vomiting was measured and recorded immediately before the start of hemodialysis, and then every half an hour before the termination of the hemodialysis. Results: The results showed that in both sessions, food intake caused a drop in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but changes in the mealtime had no effect on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also, statistical test showed that changes in the mealtime had no significant impact on the intensity of nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: Food intake during hemodialysis had no effect on the nausea and vomiting, but caused a drop in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the drop continued for one hour and one and a half hour after the meal. It is suggested, mealtime in the early hours of hemodialysis could be better managed during the hemodialysis process.

Hemodialysis-induced regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Introduction Hemodialysis (HD) patients are under observably elevated cardiovascular mortality. Cardiac dysfunction is closely related to death caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the general population, repetitive myocardial ischemia induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction may progress to irreversible loss of contraction step by step, and finally lead to cardiac death. In HD patients, to remove water and solute accumulated from 48 or 72 hours of interdialysis period in a 4-hour HD session will induce myocardial ischemia. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with HD-induced LV systolic dysfunction and provide some evidences for clinical strategies. Methods We recruited 31 standard HD patients for this study from Fudan University Zhongshan hospital. Echocardiography was performed predialysis, at peak stress during HD (15 minutes prior to the end of dialysis), and 30 minutes after HD. Auto functional imaging (AFI) was used to assess the incidence and persistence of HD-induced regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs). Blood samples were drawn to measure biochemical variables. Findings Among totally 527 segments of 31 patients, 93.54% (29/31) patients and 51.40% (276/527) segments were diagnosed as RWMAs. Higher cTnT (0.060 ± 0.030 vs. 0.048 ± 0.015 ng/mL, P = 0.023), phosphate (2.07 ± 0.50 vs. 1.49 ± 0.96 mmol/L, P = 0.001), UFR (11.00 ± 3.89 vs. 8.30 ± 2.66 mL/Kg/h, P = 0.039) and lower albumin (37.83 ± 4.48 vs. 38.38 ± 2.53 g/L, P = 0.050) were found in patients with severe RWMAs (RWMAs in more than 50% segments). After univariate and multivariate analysis, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was found as independent risk factor of severe RWMAs (OR = 1.047, 95%CI 1.155-4.732, P = 0.038). Discussion LV systolic dysfunction induced by HD is prevalent in conventional HD patients and should be paid attention to. Patients would benefit from better weight control during interdialytic period to reduce ultrafiltration rate.

Effect of Heparin on Coagulation Tests: A Comparison of Continuous and Bolus Infusion in Haemodialysis Patients.

Haemodialysis is one of the most conventional treatments of chronic renal failure. The risk of clot formation is high during haemodialysis due to regular contact of blood with the surfaces of foreign objects such as catheters, dialyzers' membrane, and other materials used for dialysis. Therefore, to prevent clot formation during haemodialysis, the dialysis system requires anticoagulation; this is usually done by heparin. The present study aimed to compare two heparinization methods and determine the proper impacts of these methods. In this quasi-experimental study, 80 haemodialysis patients covered by the dialysis center of Amir-al-momenin Hospital of Zabol were studied in two 40-member groups of heparin therapy methods of bolus injection and continuous infusion. PT and PTT were measured in blood samples collected from all patients before starting haemodialysis. The first group received 3000 units of heparin once the haemodialysis machine started to work and 2000 units of heparin two hours later as bolus injection. In the second group, 1500 units of heparin was injected at the start of dialysis after then, 5000 units of heparin (one mL) were mixed with 11 mL of distilled water and infused using a heparin injection pump up to half an hour before the end of dialysis. At 30 minutes after starting dialysis and at the end of 4 hours of haemodialysis, PT and PTT were measured and compared between the two groups. According to the results, the mean partial thromboplastin time in the bolus and continuous heparin-receiving group was 41.75±6.29 and 37.90±4.77, respectively, which was statistically significant (p=0.036). But PT was 14.45±1.82 in the bolus heparin group and 13.95±1.39 in the continuous heparin group, which was not significant according to the results of independent t-test (p=0.336). The results indicated a statistically significant difference between the bolus heparin injection and the continuous heparin infusion groups in terms of coagulation tests in haemodialysis patients (p=0.036). Therefore, given the effects of heparin on coagulation, it was more effective in the bolus heparin group than the continuous infusion group. It is recommended to use the bolus method for heparin therapy during haemodialysis.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of apixaban in subjects with end‐stage renal disease on hemodialysis

An open-label, parallel-group, single-dose study was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of apixaban in 8 subjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis compared with 8 subjects with normal renal function. A single oral 5-mg dose of apixaban was administered once to healthy subjects and twice to subjects with ESRD, separated by ≥7 days: 2 hours before (on hemodialysis) and immediately after a 4-hour hemodialysis session (off hemodialysis). Blood samples were collected for determination of apixaban pharmacokinetic parameters, measures of clotting (prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time), and anti-factor Xa (FXa) activity. Compared with healthy subjects, apixaban Cmax and AUCinf were 10% lower and 36% higher, respectively, in subjects with ESRD off hemodialysis. Hemodialysis in subjects with ESRD was associated with reductions in apixaban Cmax and AUCinf of 13% and 14%, respectively. The percent change from baseline in clotting measures was similar in healthy subjects and subjects with ESRD, and differences in anti-FXa activity were similar to differences in apixaban concentration. A single 5-mg oral dose of apixaban was well tolerated in both groups. In conclusion, ESRD resulted in a modest increase (36%) in apixaban AUC and no increase in Cmax , and hemodialysis had a limited impact on apixaban clearance.

Intracellular Phosphate Dynamics in Muscle Measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy during Hemodialysis

Of the 600-700 mg inorganic phosphate (Pi) removed during a 4-hour hemodialysis session, a maximum of 10% may be extracted from the extracellular space. The origin of the other 90% of removed phosphate is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that the main source of phosphate removed during hemodialysis is the intracellular compartment. Six binephrectomized pigs each underwent one 3-hour hemodialysis session, during which the extracorporeal circulation blood flow was maintained between 100 and 150 ml/min. To determine in vivo phosphate metabolism, we performed phosphorous ((31)P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy using a 1.5-Tesla system and a surface coil placed over the gluteal muscle region. (31)P magnetic resonance spectra (repetition time =10 s; echo time =0.35 ms) were acquired every 160 seconds before, during, and after dialysis. During the dialysis sessions, plasma phosphate concentrations decreased rapidly (-30.4 %; P=0.003) and then, plateaued before increasing approximately 30 minutes before the end of the sessions; 16 mmol phosphate was removed in each session. When extracellular phosphate levels plateaued, intracellular Pi content increased significantly (11%; P<0.001). Moreover, βATP decreased significantly (P<0.001); however, calcium levels remained balanced. Results of this study show that intracellular Pi is the source of Pi removed during dialysis. The intracellular Pi increase may reflect cellular stress induced by hemodialysis and/or strong intracellular phosphate regulation.

Abstract 11473: Dabigatran Treatment Simulation in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

Background: Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at increased risk of ischemic stroke and bleeds. At present, vitamin K antagonists, e.g. warfarin, are predominantly used for anticoagulation in this patient population. In such patients, limited data are available on the use of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants. Dabigatran etexilate (DE) is mainly (85%) renally eliminated, thus its half-life is prolonged in renal impairment. It has been established that 4-hour HD can remove up to 60% of dabigatran from the plasma. The aim of the presented study is to evaluate the dose-exposure relationship for DE in HD patients considering different dosages and HD modalities by pharmacokinetic modeling. The resulting data could inform DE dose selection in future clinical trials. Method: We compared modeled DE exposure at once- and twice-daily doses of 75 mg, 110 mg, 150 mg in HD patients from pre- and post-dialysis dosing, with values simulated from AF patients in the RE-LY ® trial, based on a previously characterized pharmacometric model. Furthermore, variations in non-renal clearance, and several dialysis settings were simulated. Exposure (area under the curve, AUC) was compared to those from typical clinical HD settings. Results: Twice-daily DE doses showed a 1.5- to 3.3-fold increase in AUC of dabigatran compared with a typical RE-LY ® patient. A once-daily dose of 75 mg given after dialysis or 110 mg given before dialysis achieved an AUC comparable (-13.3 and +4.4%, respectively) to typical RE-LY ® patients. Of the patient and dialysis variables, non-renal clearance had the highest impact on exposure (≤ 31% change). Duration of dialysis, dialysate and blood flow rate changed exposure by ≤14%. Conclusion: Twice-daily dosing of all DE doses tested in this simulation resulted in exposures clearly above what can be seen in typical RE-LY ® patients and thus might not be recommendable, although this is based on modeling only and the clinical impact is unknown. In patients undergoing maintenance HD, DE 75 mg once daily (given after dialysis) or 110 mg once daily (given before dialysis), resulted in exposure comparable to that simulated in typical RE-LY ® patients.

Pharmacokinetics of serelaxin in patients with severe renal impairment or end‐stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis: A single‐dose, open‐label, parallel‐group study

Serelaxin, a recombinant human relaxin‐2 hormone, is in clinical development for treating acute heart failure. This open‐label, parallel‐group study investigated serelaxin pharmacokinetics (PK) after a single 4‐hour intravenous infusion (10 µg/kg) in patients with severe renal impairment (n = 6) or end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis (PK on the day of dialysis [n = 6] or during dialysis‐free interval [n = 6]), compared with matched healthy subjects (n = 18). In all participants, serum serelaxin concentration peaked at the end of infusion and subsequently declined with mean terminal elimination half‐life of 6.5–8.8 hours. Compared with healthy subjects, a moderate decrease in serelaxin systemic clearance (37%–52%) and increase in its exposure (30%–115%) were observed in all patients. During the 4‐hour hemodialysis in ESRD patients, 30% serelaxin was removed, with hemodialysis clearance constituting approximately 52% of total systemic clearance. Serelaxin was well tolerated with no deaths, serious adverse events (AE), or AE‐related discontinuations. Antiserelaxin antibodies were not detected in any participant. Given the shallow dose‐response relationship observed with serelaxin in clinical studies and its wide therapeutic window, the observed PK differences in patients with severe renal impairment compared with healthy subjects are unlikely to pose a safety risk and do not warrant a predefined dosage adjustment in such patients.

Effect of intradialytic exercise on fatigue, electrolytes level and blood pressure in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial

Background : Hemodialysis is a physically stressful procedure and most of the patients will have fatigue and thereby an alteration in the electrolytes, hemoglobin level. Physical Exercises provided during Hemodialysis session do not cost patients extra time and will be effective in reducing fatigue level and enhancing potential for performing their activities of daily living & may increase the waste removal. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the impact of an eight-week Intradialytic Range of Motion Exercise program (consisting of 15 minutes low-intensity exercise during the first 2 hours of Hemodialysis) on Fatigue, electrolytes levels, Hemoglobin and Blood pressure. Methods : A randomized controlled pre test post test design was utilized in this study in a h e modialysis unit, a total of 30 hemodialysis patients were enrolled into the study and randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental (The exercise group) (n = 18) and the control group (n = 12). Range of Motion Exercises were done in the experimental group for 15 min/day, three times a week for 2 months. Fatigue was measured via a Iowa Fatigue Scale (IFS) and Physiologic Parameters Form to measure serum electrolyte level, hemoglobin and blood pressure pre and post as well as at the end of each month after the intervention in both groups. Results : After an 8-week of Intradialytic Range of Motion Exercises program, a significant reduction were seen in fatigue level, serum phosphate and potassium, calcium, urea, creatinine and a slight increase in hemoglobin level. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure changed significantly in the exercise group ( p < .05). Conclusions : A simplified physical exercise program may be considered as a safe, and effective clinical nursing modality in patients with end-stage renal disease on Hemodialysis.

Changes in skeletal muscle microcirculation after a hemodialysis session correlates with adequacy of dialysis.

BackgroundMonitoring of the microcirculation may add additional information in terms of improving the adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) for patients. Withdrawal of liquid and complement activation during a HD session reduces the external pressure on the microcirculation and leads to an increased dilatation of the peripheral capillaries. The purposes of this study were to assess the effect of a single HD or hemodiafiltration session on the thenar microcirculation in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with or without diabetes, investigate the possible relationship between changes in the microcirculation and adequacy of dialysis (including Kt/V and parameters indicating secondary hyperparathyroidism), and compare microcirculation measurements obtained from patients with ESRD and those from healthy controls.MethodsThis pilot prospective observational study including eleven patients with ESRD on maintenance HD (nine men of mean age 73±10.5 years, ten [91%] with hypertension), nine patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodiafiltration (six men of mean age 65.5±13.2 years, five [55.5%] with diabetes and four [44.5%] with hypertension), and eight healthy volunteers. Two paired microcirculation assessments were recorded for each HD patient before and after a dialysis session. Near infrared spectroscopy and the vascular occlusion test were used to assess the microcirculation, and blood work samples were collected before and after dialysis when the pump slowed down.ResultsPatients with ESRD showed an increase in thenar cell metabolism at rest after a 4-hour HD session, and changes in cell metabolism correlated with the Kt/V of the session. Pre-dialysis tissue oxygen saturation over the 4-hour HD session correlated with pre-dialysis serum calcium and parathyroid hormones. Vascular reactivity was lower in ESRD patients receiving HD or hemodiafiltration than in healthy controls.ConclusionImprovement in skeletal muscle microcirculation noted after a HD session was related to adequacy of dialysis. Evaluation of the microcirculation may provide additional information for management of patients on HD and identify novel targets for treatment. These preliminary findings need to be tested using a larger data set.

Acute effects of haemodialysis on central venous and arterial pressure characteristics.

Haemodynamic stability of patients during haemodialysis (HD) sessions is of pivotal importance and accurate determination of dry weight remains a challenge. Little information is available about central venous and aortic pressure during dialysis. In this pilot study we used a non-invasive technique to describe the changes in central venous pressure (CVP) during dialysis. An ultrasound-assisted pressure-manometer was used at the cephalic vein during haemodialysis to quantify CVP. Central aortic pressure changes were assessed as aortic augmentation index and subendocardial viability ratio. Bioimpedance was applied to measure total body water, as well as extracellular and intracellular water before and after HD. Measurements were performed prior during and after 1 and 2 h on HD. Ten patients were included with a median age of 72 years (23-82). Haemodialysis reduced the weight by 2.0 kg, corresponding to a measured decrease in total body water of 1.9 L. The mean CVP showed a significant decrease (9.0-0.8 cmH₂O; P = 0.0005) during dialysis. The significant drop in CVP was found during the first hour (9-2.8 cmH₂O). Starting and stopping dialysis was reflected by a reduction of 2.6 cmH₂O and a rise of 2.8 cmH₂O (n.s.). Aortic augmentation index decreased from 26.1% to 21.0% (n.s.). Subendocardial viability ratio increased from 126% to 156% (P < 0.05) during HD, and decreased to 139% direct after HD (n.s.). This is the first study that illustrates a prominent reduction of CVP during the first hour of haemodialysis. Non-invasive CVP measurement is feasible during haemodialysis and adds another piece in the puzzle of factors involved in haemodynamic stability.