Initiation Of Hemodialysis Therapy Research Articles

PS-R05-6: A CASE OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY WITH THROMBOTIC MICROANGIOPATHY CAUSED BY MALIGNANT HYPERTENSION

A 31-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of severe hypertension, acute kidney injury (AKI) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). A month earlier, the patient sought medical attention for epigastric pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed hemorrhagic gastric ulcer, and hemostasis was performed. At that time, his was found to have severe high blood pressure (200/140 mmHg), together with low levels of hemoglobin (Hb) (10.5 g/dL) and platelet (Plt) count (107 x 109/L). One week later, gastric ulcer tended to improve, but the blood pressure was still high (192/122 mmHg), along with severe abnormalities in creatinine (Cr) (10.7 mg/dL), Hb (6.6 g/dL) and Plt levels (139 x 109/L). On the following day, the serum Cr level increased to 13.7 mg/dL, while Hb and Plt levels decreased to 6.3 g/dL and 111 x 109/L, respectively. He was referred and admitted to a local affiliated hospital. Because the patient was considered as AKI due to dehydration and anemia, fluid replacement and blood transfusion were performed. However, his renal function was worsened further and pulmonary congestion appeared, which required initiation of hemodialysis therapy. Because low platelet counts, high LDH levels and schistocytes in peripheral blood were observed, he was diagnosed with TMA and transferred to our hospital. Laboratory data on admission revealed as follows: the plasma renin activity (PRA), 7.8 ng/ml/h, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), 443 pg/mL, plasma adrenaline, 12 pg/mL, noradrenaline, 172 pg/ml, ACTH, 17.3 pg/mL, cortisol, 6.9 g/dL, and TSH, 1.71 IU/mL. Renal artery stenosis was not observed by renal artery ultrasound. Echocardiography showed hypertrophy of the left ventricle. Funduscopic examination showed retinal hemorrhages. Renal biopsy revealed a large number of collapsed glomeruli, onion skin lesions in the arterioles and interlobular arteries, luminal narrowing due to thrombosis, and fibrin accumulation on the blood vessel walls, which lead to histological diagnosis of malignant nephrosclerosis and TMA. Intensive treatment with a calcium channel blocker, an ACE inhibitor, and other antihypertensive agents resulted in improved hypertension, and normalized platelet count and LDH levels, together with reduced PRA (3.2 ng/ml/h) and PAC (208 pg/mL). However, withdrawal from hemodialysis was not achieved. We consider that in this case TMA was caused by malignant hypertension due to essential hypertension. We conclude that early detection and intervention for hypertension are mandatory to prevent the progression of malignant hypertension and related organ damages.

PS-R05-8: THREE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE WHEREIN ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR NEPRILYSIN INHIBITOR WAS EFFECTIVE AGAINST HEART FAILURE AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Background: The efficacy and safety of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) for patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73m2 have not been established. This paper reports three cases of low eGFR wherein ARNI was effective against heart failure and high blood pressure. Case: In case 1 (a woman in her 70 s), eculizumab was used to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Surgery was performed for the exacerbation of chronic heart failure due to worsening mitral regurgitation. The postoperative course was stable. However, from the third disease day, her kidney failure exacerbated (eGFR decline from 16 to 10 mL/min/1.73 m2), heart failure flared up again (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP] elevated from 500 to 1200 pg/mL), hemodialysis was performed, carperitide was added, and the diuretic stage was started. However, the drug could not be discontinued, and ARNI was initiated (50 mg once twice a day). Consequently, the eGFR was recovered (elevated from 10 to 18 mL/min/1.73 m2), the urine output was increased, and the heart failure was recovered (BNP declined from 1200 to 250 pg/mL). In case 2 (a man in his 80 s), CKD exacerbation due to diabetic nephropathy (eGFR of 18 mL/min/1.73 m2) led to heart failure, and hemodialysis therapy and ARNI (50 mg once two times a day) were initiated. Good diuresis became available, and hemodialysis could be withdrawn (BNP declined from 120 to 70 pg/mL, and the bodyweight from 95 to 75 kg). Since then, the urine output has been maintained, and peritoneal dialysis has been initiated and continued. In case 3 (a man in his 70 s), in whom 6 months had elapsed since the initiation of hemodialysis therapy for CKD caused by diabetic nephropathy, the dry weight was appropriate, but the blood pressure tended to increase (from 140/80 to 186/96 mmHg). Moreover, BNP levels had increased (BNP elevation from 70 to 180 pg/mL). When telmisartan 40 mg once a day was changed to ARNI (100 mg once a day) as an antihypertensive agent, the blood pressure was stabilized (from 186/96 to 140/80 mmHg), and the BNP decreased (BNP declined from 180 to 20 pg/mL). No adverse events were observed in all three cases. Discussion: These cases suggest that ARNI not only has diuretic effects but decreases blood pressure and BNP in patients with CKD, including those requiring dialysis. ARNI may be used relatively safely even in patients with reduced kidney function.

Energy Homeostasis Gene Nucleotide Variants and Survival of Hemodialysis Patients-A Genetic Cohort Study.

Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) therapy have an increased risk of death compared to the general population. We investigated whether selected single nucleotide variants (SNVs) involved in glucose and lipid metabolism are associated with mortality risk in HD patients. Methods: The study included 805 HD patients tested for 11 SNVs in FOXO3, IGFBP3, FABP1, PCSK9, ANGPTL6, and DOCK6 using HRM analysis and TaqMan assays. FOXO3, IGFBP3, L-FABP, PCSK9, ANGPTL6, and ANGPTL8 plasma concentrations were measured by ELISA in 86 individuals. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were used for survival analyses. Results: We found out that the carriers of a C allele in ANGPTL6 rs8112063 had an increased risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cardiac mortality. In addition, the C allele of DOCK6 rs737337 was associated with all-cause and cardiac mortality. The G allele of DOCK6 rs17699089 was correlated with the mortality risk of patients initiating HD therapy. The T allele of FOXO3 rs4946936 was negatively associated with cardiac and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients. We observed no association between the tested proteins’ circulating levels and the survival of HD patients. Conclusions: The ANGPTL6 rs8112063, FOXO3 rs4946936, DOCK6 rs737337, and rs17699089 nucleotide variants are predictors of survival in patients undergoing HD.

MO764: Type of Vascular Access in Incident Hemodialysis Patients in Morocco: Predialysis Nephrology Care Should be Improved

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Current guidelines recommend early placement of an autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) before initiation of chronic hemodialysis therapy. Also, several studies showed that optimal pre-dialysis care is crucial to prepare a functioning permanent dialysis access. However, despite these recommendations, incident patients in Morocco usually initiate dialysis therapy using temporary catheters. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to identify the types of vascular access used by incident hemodialysis patients in Morocco and to determine the effect of pre-dialysis renal care on native AVF utilization. METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional study at the nephrology department of Mohammed VI university hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 among adult incident hemodialysis patients. Clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as data on vascular access type and nephrology care prior to dialysis initiation, were recorded. RESULTS A total of 210 patients were enrolled in our study. The mean age of the participants was 51.6 ± 12.3 years (19–78) with a male predominance (71.4%). The leading cause of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was diabetic nephropathy in 41.4% of the patients. At hemodialysis therapy initiation, 173 patients (82.4%) were dialyzed using a temporary central venous catheter (CVC), 20 (9.5%) with a tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) and 17 (8.1%) with an AVF. Out of all participants, only 81 (38.5%) received prior nephrology care. Patients who reported being seen by a nephrologist at least 1 month before starting hemodialysis therapy (75%) were more likely than those referred later to use an AV access at initiation (22.2% versus 1.5%; P < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, geographical origin, education, insurance coverage, comorbidity status and underlying renal diagnosis. CONCLUSION Our findings showed a high incidence of CVC use among incident hemodialysis patients which is contrary to all recommendations. Also, we found that patients who received pre-dialysis nephrology care were significantly more likely to start their HD through AVF. Therefore, further efforts to improve both referral patterns and preparation for dialysis after referral are needed.

POS-646 TYPE OF VASCULAR ACCESS IN INCIDENT HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS IN MOROCCO: PREDIALYSIS NEPHROLOGY CARE SHOULD BE IMPROVED

Current guidelines recommend early placement of an autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) before initiation of chronic hemodialysis therapy. Also, several studies showed that optimal predialysis care is crucial to prepare a functioning permanent dialysis access. However, despite these recommendations, incident patients in Morocco usually initiate dialysis therapy using temporary catheters. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to identify the types of vascular access used by incident hemodialysis patients in Morocco and to determine the effect of predialysis renal care on native AVF utilization. We conducted a cross-sectional study at nephrology department of Mohammed VI university hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 among adult incident hemodialysis patients. Clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as data on vascular access type and nephrology care prior to dialysis initiation were recorded. A total of 210 patients were enrolled in our study. The mean age of the participants was 51.6 ±12.3 (19-78) with a male predominance (71.4%). The leading cause of ESRD was diabetic nephropathy in 41.4% of the patients. At hemodialysis therapy initiation, 173 patients (82.4%) were dialyzed using a temporary central venous catheter (CVC), 20 (9.5%) with a tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) and 17 (8.1%) with an AVF. Out of all participants, only 81 (38.5%) received prior nephrology care. Patients who reported being seen by a nephrologist at least 1 month before starting hemodialysis therapy (75%) were more likely than those referred later to use an AV access at initiation (22.2% versus 1.5%; P < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, geographical origin, education, insurance coverage, comorbidity status and underlying renal diagnosis. Our findings showed a high incidence of CVC use among incident hemodialysis patients which is contrary to all recommendations. Also, we found that patients who received predialysis nephrology care were significantly more likely to start their HD through AVF. Therefore, further efforts to improve both referral patterns and preparation for dialysis after referral are needed.

Prevalence of diarrhea in end-stage renal disease patients initiating hemodialysis

BackgroundDiarrhea is one of the symptoms occasionally seen in patients initiating hemodialysis. When they have diarrhea, they need several additional cares for defecation during the hemodialysis sessions and for infection control at dialysis facilities.MethodsWe retrospectively examined the prevalence and the characteristics of the patients with diarrhea initiating hemodialysis. Data were collected from medical records.ResultsOf 243 patients who initiated hemodialysis therapy, 46 patients (19%) had diarrhea. The age, gender, and etiology of end-stage renal disease did not differ between the patients with diarrhea and those without diarrhea. Body weight in the patients with diarrhea was lighter than those without diarrhea. The prevalence of concomitant diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and diabetes, was not different between the groups, whereas the patients with diarrhea were complicated more frequently with infectious diseases. Antibiotics and steroids had been used more frequently in the patients with diarrhea (59% and 26%, respectively) than those without diarrhea (10% and 10%, respectively). Inflammatory markers, such as white blood cell numbers, C-reactive protein levels, and body temperature, were significantly higher in the patients with diarrhea. Serum levels of total protein, albumin, and creatinine were significantly lower in the patients with diarrhea, while urea nitrogen levels did not differ between the groups.ConclusionResults of the present study showed, for the first time, that 19% of the patients initiating hemodialysis had diarrhea and suggest that incident hemodialysis patients with infectious diseases and those under treatment with antibiotics and/or steroids are high-risk for diarrhea.

IMPACT OF ANXIETY AND TERROR OF DEATH ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS

The aim of the study was to identify the terror of death and anxiety level in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving renal replacement therapy using chronic hemodialysis (HD) and to evaluate the impact of patients' psychological status on medical staff, selection of basic methods of psychotherapeutic care for patients in this category. We involved 37 patients, aged 33-72 years (mean, 45.6 ± 3.8 years). The duration of chronic HD ranged from 8 months to 10 years, with an average of 4.6 years. All the patients had a stable nutritional status, HD regimen and drug therapy for at least 3 months. To diagnose the psychological state of patients we used: the scale of self-assessment of the level of situational and personal anxiety (Spielberger-Hanin’s Scale), personal questionnaire for changes at the onset of HD therapy, elements of a clinical interview, image apperception test (simplified version of Thematic apperception test., Bechterev’s Institute Personal Questionnaire for Diagnosis of Type of Illness (LOBI), Locus of control and personal changes after initiation of HD therapy.&#x0D; We found that the: adaptation of the patient to HD therapy is complicated due to the high degree of anxiety and maladaptive terror of death, which reduce the patient’s quality of life. The HD procedure increases the level of situational anxiety and requires psycho-correction. HD therapy requires activation of the patient's psychological protection mechanisms, since the dominant protective mechanisms of the psyche in this type of substitution treatment are displacement and negation. The inflexible and rigid use of the latter provokes maladaptive reactions when interacting with healthcare providers, a non-constructive approach to lifestyle choices, work-rest regime, and diet. Patients with a maladaptive mode of adjustment to HD therapy require psychotherapy assistance. There is a need to monitor the psychological status of not only patients, but also medical staff, which due to the specificity of the contingent increases the level of contingent own terror of death. Doctors of HD units require participation in mutual support groups.

P1437RELATIONS BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATIONS OF EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS STARTING HEMODIALYSIS DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS: EXPERIENCES FROM THE SWEDISH RENAL REGISTRY 2006-2015

Abstract Background and Aims Although few randomized controlled trials have been able to demonstrate benefits of single treatments in improving outcomes of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), the last decades have witnessed significant therapeutic advances. This relates both to the HD treatment itself and to the management of patient complications. We here evaluated temporal changes in the use of evidence-based treatments and survival rates in incident HD patients. Method We included all patients initiating HD in Sweden between 2006-2015 and followed them until the end of 2017. Data were linked to national registries to retrieve information on date of death, cardiovascular events, comorbidity, and drug prescriptions. We first evaluated trends in the use of different HD related therapies and selected key therapeutic targets and medications in 2-year blocks. We then evaluated the incidence of death and major cardiovascular events (MACE) within one and two years from start of dialysis through standardized incidence rates via logistic regression models to account for differences in patient characteristics over time. Via Cox regression models, we explored whether adjustment for implementation of evidence-based treatments (e.g. hemodiafiltration (HDF), frequent HD, working fistula, drugs to control CKD-MBD, anemia) modified the observed survival and MACE risks. Finally, survival trends were also compared against an age-sex-calendar year-matched general Swedish population using standardized incidence ratios. Results We identified 6,612 patients starting HD in Sweden during the study period. There was no difference in mean age or proportion of women over time, but body mass index, serum parathyroid hormone levels and the proportion of patients with cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation and cancer increased. Conversely, mean serum hemoglobin, phosphate and albumin values decreased over time. The proportion of patients who underwent HDF, had more than three HD sessions/week, and had a working fistula increased progressively, as well as the use of phosphate binders (particularly non-calcium), cinacalcet, and vitamin D3. After standardization for differences in demography and comorbidities, the one-year risk of mortality or MACE risk decreased by 7% and 16%, respectively, in 2014/15 compared to 2006/07. Similarly, the two-year risk of death or MACE decreased by 16 and 21%. In multivariable Cox models, we explored the linear association between calendar year blocks and study outcomes. Per 2-year period, the risk of death within one year decreased by 6% (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-1.00), and of MACE by 5% (0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.98). Adjustment for changes in the evidence-based treatments over time abrogated these associations (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.91-1.09 for death and 1.00, 95% CI 0.94-1.06 for MACE). Similar results were obtained for 2-year outcomes. Compared with the general population, the one-year risk of death for a HD patient was 6 times higher in 2006/2007 [standardized incidence rate ratio, SIR 6.05 (5.30–6.91)], but decreased to 5.5 times higher in 2014/15 [SIR 5.57 (4.82–6.44)], corresponding to a SIR reduction of 8%. Conclusion In patients initiating HD therapy in Sweden, there has been a gradual implementation of new and established evidence-based treatments during the last 10 years, which was associated with a parallel reduction in the risk of death and MACE.

Incidence, Risk, and Prognosis of Cancer in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

Background: Information concerning the cancer issue in Chinese patients on hemodialysis (HD) was lacking. Thus, we examined data from our dialysis registry to investigate the incidence of cancer, identify the possible factors, and explore outcomes after cancer diagnosis in patients on chronic HD. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 639 new-onset end-stage renal disease patients who started HD therapy during the period from July 1999 to December 2017 was retrieved from the database in our dialysis center. All eligible patients were followed up until renal transplantation, death, or end of study (March 31, 2019). The definition of a newly diagnosed cancer was that diagnosed 6 months after HD therapy initiation. Results: Within a median follow-up period of 5.61 years, 58 patients (9.08%) have been diagnosed with cancer with the incidence of 1,494 per 10⁵ person-years. The mean duration from HD initiation to cancer diagnosis was 5.22 ± 3.55 years. Digestive cancer (32.76%) was the most common followed by urologic cancer (18.97%) and lung cancer (15.52%). Advanced age at starting HD therapy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04) and erythropoietin dosage ≥20,000 U/week (HR 1.95) were independent predictors for cancer occurrence. Of the 256 deaths during the follow-up period, 29 cases (11.33%) were attributed to cancer, with the mortality rate of 717 per 10⁵ person-years. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year cumulative survival rates after cancer diagnosis were 58.73, 34.64, and 20.41%, respectively. A total of 32 patients (55.17%) did not receive any anti-cancer therapy, and the mortality in those patients was significantly increased as compared to patients who received anti-cancer therapy. Conclusion: Cancer is common in HD patients due to the improved survival, and it has a negative effect on patient prognosis. Many patients have failed to receive optimal anti-cancer therapy, which calls for effective communication and cooperation among patients, dialysis unit, and oncology teams.

Outcomes of the First and Second Hemodialysis Fistula: A Cohort Study

Fistulas are the preferred form of hemodialysis access; however, many fistulas fail to mature into usable accesses after creation. Data for outcomes after placement of a second fistula are limited. Cohort study. People who initiated hemodialysis therapy in any of 5 Canadian dialysis programs (2004-2012) and had at least 1 hemodialysis fistula placed. Second versus initial fistula; receipt of 2 versus 1 fistula; second versus first fistula in recipients of 2 fistulas. Catheter-free fistula use during 1 year following initiation of hemodialysis therapy or following fistula creation, if created after hemodialysis therapy start; proportion of time with catheter-free use; time to catheter free use; time of functional patency. Logistic regression; fractional regression. Among the 1,091 study participants (mean age, 64±15 [SD] years; 63% men; 59% with diabetes), 901 received 1 and 190 received 2 fistulas. 38% of second fistulas versus 46% of first fistulas were used catheter free at least once. Average percentages of time that second and initial fistulas were used catheter free were 34% and 42%, respectively (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.94). Compared with people who received 1 fistula, those who received 2 fistulas were less likely to achieve catheter-free use (26% vs 56%) and remain catheter free (23% vs 49% of time; OR, 0.30, 95% CI, 0.24-0.39). Among people who received 2 fistulas, the proportion of time that the second fistula was used catheter free was 11% higher with each 10% greater proportion of time that the first fistula was used catheter free (95% CI, 1%-22%). Model discrimination was modest (C index, 0.69). Unknown criteria for patient selection for 1 or 2 fistulas; unknown reasons for prolonged catheter use. Outcomes of a second fistula may be inferior to outcomes of the initial fistula. First and second fistula outcomes are weakly correlated and difficult to predict based on clinical characteristics.

High prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in incident hemodialysis patients: screening by ankle-brachial index (ABI) and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) measurement

BackgroundPeripheral arterial disease (PAD) has much impact on mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) are useful tools to detect PAD in HD patients. However, the prevalence of PAD in incident HD patients by ABI and SPP measurement has not been fully elucidated.MethodsWe examined both ABI and SPP in 185 consecutive patients with end-stage renal failure at the initiation of HD therapy. PAD was diagnosed by previous history, clinical symptoms, histories of endovascular peripheral intervention, bypass surgery, amputation due to PAD, and values of ABI and SPP. Cut-off value of ABI and SPP for diagnosing PAD was set at < 0.9 and < 50 mmHg, respectively.ResultsThe percentage of limbs with ABI < 0.9 and SPP value < 50 mmHg among total limbs were 10.8 and 21.1%, respectively. Among 185 patients in incident HD patients, 45 patients were diagnosed as having PAD. ABI and SPP positively correlated (r = 0.311, p = 0.006). However, discrepancy between ABI and SPP values (normal or high ABI with low SPP, or low ABI with normal SPP) was also found. Among 45 incident HD patients with PAD, only 14 patients (31.1%) showed low ABI and low SPP values.ConclusionMeasurement of both ABI and SPP might be necessary to improve the diagnostic accuracy of PAD. Prevalence of PAD in incident HD patients was proved to be very high.

Tradeoffs in Vascular Access Selection in Elderly Patients Initiating Hemodialysis With a Catheter

National vascular access guidelines recommend placement of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) over grafts (AVGs) in hemodialysis patients, but have not been comprehensively assessed in the elderly. We evaluated clinically relevant vascular access outcomes in elderly patients receiving an AVF or AVG after hemodialysis therapy initiation. Retrospective cohort study using national administrative data. Claims data from the US Renal Data System of 9,458 US patients 67 years and older who initiated hemodialysis therapy from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, with a catheter and received an AVF (n=7,433) or AVG (n=2,025) within the ensuing 6 months. Arteriovenous access subtype, AVF or AVG. Successful use of vascular access, interventions to make vascular access functional, duration of catheter dependence before successful use of vascular access, frequency of interventions, and abandonment after successful use of vascular access. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to compare the need for intervention before successful use of AVFs and AVGs, and negative bionomial regression was used to calculate the frequency of intervention after successful use of vascular access. Unsuccessful use of vascular access within 6 months of creation was higher for AVFs versus AVGs (51% vs 45%; adjusted HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.73-1.99). Interventions to make vascular access functional were greater in AVFs versus AVGs (42% vs 23%; OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 2.26-3.12). AVFs had a lower 1-year abandonment rate after successful use compared with AVGs (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62-0.83) and required one-fourth fewer interventions after successful use (relative risk, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.81). Patients receiving an AVF had substantially longer catheter dependence before successful use than those receiving an AVG (median time, 3 vs 1 month; P<0.001). Residual confounding due to vascular access choice, restriction to an elderly population, and 1-year follow-up period. In elderly hemodialysis patients initiating hemodialysis therapy with a catheter, the optimal vascular access selection depends on tradeoffs between shorter catheter dependence and less frequent interventions to make the vascular access (AVG) functional versus longer access patency and fewer interventions after successful use of the vascular access (AVF).

Medicare Costs Associated With Arteriovenous Fistulas Among US Hemodialysis Patients

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the recommended vascular access for hemodialysis (HD). Previous studies have not examined the resources and costs associated with creating and maintaining AVFs. Retrospective observational study. Elderly US Medicare patients initiating hemodialysis therapy during 2010 to2011. AVF primary and secondary patency and nonuse in the first year following AVF creation. Annualized vascular access costs per patient per year. Among patients with only a catheter at HD therapy initiation, only 54% of AVFs were successfully used for HD, 10% were used but experienced secondary patency loss within 1 year of creation, and 83% experienced primary patency loss within 1 year of creation. Mean vascular access costs per patient per year in the 2.5 years after AVF creation were $7,871 for AVFs that maintained primary patency in year 1, $13,282 for AVFs that experienced primary patency loss in year 1, $17,808 for AVFs that experienced secondary patency loss in year 1, and $31,630 for AVFs that were not used. Similar patterns were seen among patients with a mature AVF at HD therapy initiation and patients with a catheter and maturing AVF at HD therapy initiation. Overall, in 2013, fee-for-service Medicare paid $2.8 billion for dialysis vascular access-related services, ∼12% of all end-stage renal disease payments. Lack of granularity with certain billing codes. AVF failure in the first year after creation is common and results in substantially higher health care costs. Compared with patients whose AVFs maintained primary patency, vascular access costs were 2 to 3 times higher for patients whose AVFs experienced primary or secondary patency loss and 4 times higher for patients who never used their AVFs. There is a need to improve AVF outcomes and reduce costs after AVF creation.

Augmented Nurse Care Management in CKD Stages 4 to 5: A Randomized Trial

Outcomes for patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States are suboptimal. There is poor education and preparation for end-stage kidney disease, as well as a high rate of hospitalization in this group of patients. A randomized, parallel-group, 2-arm, controlled trial. The study was conducted at 3 sites: a clinic of an academic medical center, a public hospital academic clinic, and a community-based private practice. All participants had late-stage CKD (stages 4-5 CKD). Patients were excluded only if they had significant cognitive impairment. The care management intervention involved nurse care manager coordination aided by the use of a disease-based informatics system for monitoring patients' clinical status, enhancing CKD education, and facilitating preparation for end-stage kidney disease. The comparison control group received usual late-stage CKD care alone. The primary outcome was rate of hospitalization. Rates of preemptive transplantation, home dialysis, hemodialysis (HD) starts without a hospitalization, and HD therapy initiation rates with catheters or with functioning accesses. 130 patients were randomly assigned. The hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the intervention group versus controls: 0.61 versus 0.92 per year, respectively (incidence rate ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.43-0.99; P=0.04). Peritoneal dialysis or preemptive transplantation was the initial end-stage kidney disease treatment in 11 of 30 (37%) participants receiving the intervention versus 3 of 29 (10%) receiving usual care. Among HD starts, treatment was initiated without hospitalization in 11 of 19 (58%) participants in the intervention group versus 6 of 26 (23%) in the control group. At the time of HD therapy initiation, a catheter was present in 7 of 19 (37%) participants in the intervention group versus 18 of 26 (69%) in the control group. A functioning arteriovenous access was in place in 10 of 19 (53%) participants in the intervention group and 7 of 26 (27%) in the control group LIMITATIONS: Moderate sample size, limited geographic scope. The augmented nurse care management intervention resulted in reduced hospitalizations in late-stage CKD and there were suggestions of improved end-stage kidney disease preparation. Given suboptimal outcomes in late-stage CKD, care management interventions could potentially improve patient outcomes.

Initial Session Duration and Mortality Among Incident Hemodialysis Patients

The association of dialysis session duration with mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is unclear. We compared mortality rates of patients treated in dialysis facilities that used initial session durations of either ≥ 4 versus 3 hours for all incident patients. Retrospective cohort study. Patients with end-stage renal disease beginning maintenance hemodialysis therapy in January 2006 to December 2010 and followed up through December 2012, including 39,172 patients in 852 facilities who initiated treatment for ≥ 4 hours and 47,721 patients in 631 facilities who initiated treatment for 3 hours. Initial session duration of ≥ 4 hours versus 3 hours. 2- and 1-year mortality rates. Total numbers of deaths observed within 2 years after initiating dialysis therapy were 8,945 in the ≥ 4-hour group and 15,624 in the 3-hour group. The corresponding numbers of deaths observed within 1 year were 5,492 and 10,372, respectively. The 2-year adjusted HR in the ≥ 4-hour versus 3-hour group was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.73-0.86). The corresponding 1-year adjusted HR was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.70-0.84). Results were robust when analyses were restricted to specific subgroups of patients classified by age, sex, race, and select clinical characteristics. We did not observe hemodialysis duration in sessions subsequent to initiation. We only included patients treated in facilities with uniform session length (at initiation) for all their patients. Furthermore, we lacked information for dialysis dosage and patients' baseline residual kidney function. Patients in facilities routinely initiating hemodialysis therapy for ≥ 4 hours may have substantially lower mortality as compared with patients in facilities initiating for only 3 hours of treatment.

Serious Fall Injuries Before and After Initiation of Hemodialysis Among Older ESRD Patients in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Because initiation of dialysis therapy often occurs in the setting of acute illness and may signal worsening health and functional decline, we examined whether rates of serious fall injuries among older hemodialysis patients differ before and after dialysis therapy initiation. Retrospective cohort study of claims data from the 2 years spanning dialysis therapy initiationamong patients initiating dialysis therapy in 2010 to2012. Claims from 81,653 Medicare end-stage renal disease beneficiaries aged 67 to 100 years. Post- versus pre-dialysis therapy initiation periods, defined as on or after versus before dialysis therapy initiation. Serious fall injuries were defined using diagnostic codes for falls in combination with fractures, brain injuries, or joint dislocation. Incidence rate ratios (overall and stratified) for post- versus pre-dialysis therapy initiation periods were estimated using generalized estimating equation models with a negative binomial link. Overall, 12,757 serious fall injuries occurred in the pre- and post-dialysis therapy initiation periods. Annual rates of serious fall injuries were 64.4 (95% CI, 62.7-66.2) and 107.8 (95% CI, 105.4-110.3) per 1,000 patient-years, respectively, in the pre- and post-dialysis therapy initiation periods (incidence rate ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.56-1.67). Relative rates of serious fall injuries in the post- vs pre-dialysis initiation periods were of greater magnitude among patients who were younger (<75 years), had pre-end-stage renal disease nephrology care, had albumin levels > 3g/dL, were able to walk and transfer, did not need assistance with activities of daily living, and were not institutionalized compared with relative rates among their counterparts. Potential misclassification due to the use of claims data and survival bias among those initiating hemodialysis therapy. Among older Medicare beneficiaries receiving hemodialysis, serious fall injuries are common, the post-dialysis initiation period is a high-risk time for falls, and dialysis therapy initiation may be an important time to screen for fall risk factors and implement multifactorial fall prevention strategies.

Safety of Intravenous Iron in Hemodialysis: Longer-term Comparisons of Iron Sucrose Versus Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex

Controversy exists about any differences in longer-term safety across different intravenous iron formulations routinely used in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We exploited a natural experiment to compare outcomes of patients initiating HD therapy in facilities that predominantly (in≥90% of their patients) used iron sucrose versus sodium ferric gluconate complex. Retrospective cohort study of incident HD patients. Using the US Renal Data System, we hard-matched on geographic region and center characteristics HD facilities predominantly using ferric gluconate with similar ones using iron sucrose. Subsequently, incident HD patients were assigned to their facility iron formulation exposure. Facility-level use of iron sucrose versus ferric gluconate. Patients were followed up for mortality from any, cardiovascular, or infectious causes. Medicare-insured patients were followed up for infectious and cardiovascular (stroke or myocardial infarction) hospitalizations and for composite outcomes with the corresponding cause-specific deaths. HRs. We matched 2,015 iron sucrose facilities with 2,015 ferric gluconate facilities, in which 51,603 patients (iron sucrose, 24,911; ferric gluconate, 26,692) subsequently initiated HD therapy. All recorded patient characteristics were balanced between groups. Over 49,989 person-years, 10,381 deaths (3,908 cardiovascular and 1,209 infectious) occurred. Adjusted all-cause (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.93-1.03), cardiovascular (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.89-1.03), and infectious mortality (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.86-1.13) did not differ between iron sucrose and ferric gluconate facilities. Among Medicare beneficiaries, no differences between ferric gluconate and iron sucrose facilities were observed in fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular events (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.09). The composite infectious end point occurred less frequently in iron sucrose versus ferric gluconate facilities (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96). Unobserved selection bias from nonrandom treatment assignment. Patients initiating HD therapy in facilities almost exclusively using iron sucrose versus ferric gluconate had similar longer-term outcomes. However, there was a small decrease in infectious hospitalizations and deaths in patients dialyzing in facilities predominantly using iron sucrose. This difference may be due to residual confounding, random chance, or a causal effect.

Homocitrulline as marker of protein carbamylation in hemodialyzed patients

BackgroundHomocitrulline (HCit) is a carbamylation-derived product (CDP) that has been identified as a valuable biomarker of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine whether initiation of hemodialysis therapy (HD) could induce variations of HCit concentrations in CKD patients. MethodsSerum HCit concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS in CKD patients (n=108) just before (M0) and six months (M6) after the initiation of HD therapy. ResultsMean HCit concentrations reached 1000μmol/mol Lysine before initiation of HD therapy and decreased by 50% within 6months after HD onset. HCit concentrations remained stable over time as assessed during a 24-months follow-up period. HCit was mostly found in its protein-bound form in HD patients. HCit concentrations obtained at M0 were positively correlated with urea (r=0.58) and carbamylated hemoglobin (r=0.41), and are likely to be promising predictive markers of mortality. However, no correlations were found between HCit concentrations and Kt/V values, suggesting that HCit is not a marker of HD efficiency. ConclusionHCit concentrations reflect the intensity of protein carbamylation and are stable over time during HD treatment, making HCit a reliable biomarker in the follow-up of CKD patients.

Abrupt Decline in Kidney Function Before Initiating Hemodialysisand All-Cause Mortality: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.

It is not clear whether the pattern of kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may relate to outcomes after reaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We hypothesize that an abrupt decline in kidney function prior to ESRD predicts early death after initiating maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Prospective cohort study. The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study enrolled men and women with mild to moderate CKD. For this study, we studied 661 individuals who developed chronic kidney failure that required hemodialysis therapy initiation. The primary predictor was the presence of an abrupt decline in kidney function prior to ESRD. We incorporated annual estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) into a mixed-effects model to estimate patient-specific eGFRs at 3 months prior to initiation of hemodialysis therapy. Abrupt decline was defined as having an extrapolated eGFR≥30mL/min/1.73m(2) at that time point. All-cause mortality within 1 year after initiating hemodialysis therapy. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards. Among 661 patients with CKD initiating hemodialysis therapy, 56 (8.5%) had an abrupt predialysis decline in kidney function and 69 died within 1 year after initiating hemodialysis therapy. After adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, abrupt decline in kidney function was associated with a 3-fold higher risk for death within the first year of ESRD (adjusted HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.65-5.76). Relatively small number of outcomes; infrequent (yearly) eGFR determinations; lack of more granular clinical data. Abrupt decline in kidney function prior to ESRD occurred in a significant minority of incident hemodialysis patients and predicted early death in ESRD.

Differences in Initial Hemodialysis Vascular Access Use Among Glomerulonephritis Subtypes in the United States

The type of vascular access used for hemodialysis affects patient morbidity and mortality. Whether vascular access types differ by glomerulonephritis (GN) subtype in the US hemodialysis population has not been investigated. Cross-sectional observational study. We identified all adult (aged≥ 18 years) patients within the US Renal Data System who initiated hemodialysis therapy from July 2005 through December 2011 with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease attributed to any of 4 primary (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, immunoglobulin A nephropathy [reference group], membranous nephropathy, and membranoproliferative GN) or 2 secondary (lupus nephritis and vasculitis) GN subtypes. GN subtype. ORs with 95% CIs for arteriovenous fistula versus central venous catheter (CVC) use and for arteriovenous graft versus CVC use were computed using multinomial logistic regression, with adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, comorbidity, and duration of nephrology care covariates. Among 29,015 patients, CVC use at initiation of hemodialysis therapy was substantially higher in patients with lupus nephritis (89.2%) or vasculitis (91.2%) compared with patients with primary GN subtypes (72.7%-79.8%). After adjustment and compared with patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy, patients with lupus nephritis or vasculitis were as likely to have used an arteriovenous graft (ORs of 0.94 [95% CI, 0.70-1.27] and 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.13], respectively) but significantly less likely to have used an arteriovenous fistula (ORs of 0.66 [95% CI, 0.57-0.76] and 0.54 [95% CI, 0.45-0.63], respectively), whereas patients with any comparator primary GN subtype were at least as likely to have used either of these 2 access types. Potential misclassification of exposure; residual confounding by unmeasured covariates; inability to determine causes of observed associations; lacking longitudinal data for vascular access use. Significant differences in vascular access distributions at initiation of hemodialysis therapy are apparent among GN subtypes. The unacceptably high use of CVCs in patients with lupus nephritis and vasculitis is particularly concerning. Further studies are needed to identify any potentially modifiable factors underlying these findings.