Intermittent Dialysis Research Articles

Outcomes of Intermittent Hemodialysis vs. Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy in Hemodynamically Stable Patients with Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective, Observational, Multicenter Study.

Continuous dialysis in hemodynamically stable patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) may impact outcomes differently than intermittent dialysis. We evaluated differences in patient and kidney outcomes between the two modalities. Clinical and 30-day outcome data for inpatients with AKI who were hemodynamically stable and not on ventilation and who received intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) or continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) in public hospitals in Kuwait from January 1 to December 31, 2021, were prospectively collected. We recruited 229 patients (age: 59.9 years; males, 60.3%; baseline eGFR, 56 ml/min). CKRT accounted for 72.9% of cases due to lack of access to water treatment. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in terms of age, baseline eGFR, sex, comorbidities, cause of AKI, or fluid administration. Intensive care unit contributed 21% of cases, with no significant difference between groups. More IHD patients received diuretics (62.9% vs. 43.1% for CKRT, p = 0.008). At 30 days, 21.8% of patients had died. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between groups (16.1% for IHD vs. 24% for CKRT, p = 0.2). Final eGFR was 53.2 ml/min, with no difference between groups. Complete kidney recovery was greater with CKRT (33.1% vs. 13.5%, p = 0.009). Baseline eGFR < 60 ml/min did not influence mortality or kidney recovery. Compared with IHD, CKRT did not lower mortality at 30 days, which is similar to that of randomized trials; however, it was associated with better complete kidney recovery, which was reported in observational studies.

P-1659. Clinical and Safety Outcomes of Uniform Thrice-Weekly Daptomycin Dosing Based on Adjusted Body Weight in Patients Receiving Intermittent Hemodialysis

Abstract Background Limited evidence exists on optimal dosing of daptomycin (DAP) in patients receiving intermittent dialysis (HD). Current labeling recommends every 48 hour (q48h) dosing which often causes additional DAP doses to be given throughout the week when the schedules become unaligned. Alternatively, current recommendations for thrice weekly dosing suggest a larger dose for the 72-hour interdialytic interval, which makes operationalization difficult within current inpatient electronic systems. Methods A retrospective observational cohort study comparing clinical and safety outcomes of adult patients receiving DAP with HD was performed between 01/2021 and 04/2024. Updated dosing recommendations for DAP with HD was modified on 1/2023 to indication based uniform adjusted body weight (AdjBW) dosing with each HD session compared to the previous recommendation of q48h based on total body weight. Clinical outcomes included microbiologic recurrence and escalation of dose or antibiotic therapy. Safety outcomes included CK elevation and development of rhabdomyolysis. Patients were excluded if they were on DAP prior to admission or received &amp;lt; 2 DAP doses. Results In total, 79 patients met inclusion. BMI, acuity of infection, length of stay, and duration of therapy were similar between the q48h (n=42) and the with each HD groups (n=37). There was a significant reduction in total weekly AdjBW DAP received in the with each HD group (23.8mg/kg vs 28.8 mg/kg, p &amp;lt; .0001) despite a higher utilization of the 8 mg/kg strategy (64.9% vs 26.2%). There was no significant difference in the clinical failure (5.4% vs 4.8%, p = 0.90) or safety outcomes (0% vs 6.5%, p = 0.12) between the post- and pre-groups, including after propensity matching based on BMI, AdjBW dose received, and receipt of source control. Conclusion Utilizing uniform DAP doses with each HD compared to standard q48h frequency in patients receiving HD did not result in worse clinical or safety outcomes while reducing the overall weekly exposure to DAP. This strategy further supports the use of AdjBW as the preferred dosing weight for DAP, including in HD patients, who have been underrepresented in previous studies. This method could also be useful in the outpatient setting to help optimize DAP exposure. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Assessment of right ventricular dysfunction and its association with excess risk of cardiovascular events in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

Aims Recent accumulating evidence has recently documented a significant prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/pulmonary-artery systolic pressure (PASP) ratio assessed with echocardiography might be a useful clinical index of right ventricular (RV) -pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling. The current study aimed to investigate the value of the TAPSE/PASP ratios in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods We studied 83 times echocardiographic tests from 68 patients with MHD. The associations of TAPSE/PASP ratios with echocardiography variables, clinical characteristics, and biochemical parameters were analyzed, as well as the associations of TAPSE/PASP ratios with odds of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and frequent intermittent dialysis hypotension (IDH). Results Correlation analysis showed TAPSE/PASP ratios positively correlated with LVEF and negatively correlated with E/A and E/e’ values. For clinical and biochemical parameters, TAPSE/PASP ratios negatively correlated with BNP, NT-proBNP, age, CRP, and average interdialysis weight gain (ΔBW) and positively correlated with albumin. Logistic regression analysis, which induced the TAPSE/PASP ratio as a continuous variable (per 0.1 mm/mmHg increase), identified that the TAPSE/PASP ratio was associated with decreased CVD events (OR 0.386 [95% CI 0.231–0.645], p < 0.001) and frequent IDH odds (OR 0.571 [95% CI 0.397–0.820], p = 0.002). Moreover, the TAPSE/PASP ratio independently predicted CVD events (adjusted HR 0.539 [95% CI 0.391–0.743], p < 0.001) during a follow-up period of 12 months. Conclusions RVD, assessed by echocardiography TAPSE/PASP ratio, was found to be associated with increased risks of CVD events and frequent IDH in patients with MHD.

8165 A Case Of Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Hypocalcemia And Hypercalcemia

Abstract Disclosure: A. Desai: None. A.L. Izzi: None. B. Flores Chang: None. A. Sajan: None. Introduction: Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by muscle breakdown and the release of intracellular muscle contents into circulation. It is associated with electrolyte abnormalities and acute renal failure that can lead to prolonged hospitalization. We report a case of persistent hypercalcemia from recovery of acute renal failure and severe rhabdomyolysis. Case Description: A 47-year-old man with past medical history of polysubstance use initially presented with opiate-induced acute encephalopathy and respiratory failure. He developed severe rhabdomyolysis during the hospital course leading to acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis with hypocalcemia. The initial labs showed corrected calcium 6.2 mg/dL [9.2-11.0], ionized calcium 3.48 mg/dL [4.65-5.28], creatinine kinase level was &amp;gt;72,600 U/L [38-174], BUN 110 mg/dL [8-23], creatinine 7.8 mg/dL [0.6-1.2], and GFR 7 ml/min/BSA. His renal function improved over the next several days in the hospital. The serum creatinine improved to 4 mg/dL, BUN 49 mg/dL and GFR 20 ml/min/BSA respectively after couple of intermittent dialysis sessions. Six days after the last hemodialysis session, patient developed severe hypercalcemia with corrected calcium values ranging from 13.5 to 14.7 mg/dL and ionized calcium 7.41 mg/dL. Labs showed PTH 10 pg/mL [15-65], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D &amp;lt;10.0 pg/dL [21-65] and 25-OH Vitamin D levels 15.3 ng/ mL [30-96], which is consistent non-PTH medicated hypercalcemia. The 24-hour urine calcium was 696 mg [0-300 mg/24 hrs, 2900 cc]. PTH-related peptide was not collected. He was treated with intermittent doses of calcitonin and a single dose of pamidronate when the calcium levels were &amp;gt;13 mg/dL. Hypercalcemia resolved in eleven days after initially noted to have hypercalcemia. The corrected calcium improved to 10.1 mg/dL on the day of discharge. Discussion:Severe rhabdomyolysis is associated with acute kidney injury. The initial hypocalcemic phase during rhabdomyolysis is due to entry of calcium into damaged myocytes and deposition of calcium salts in damaged muscle. This is seen in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury. After the recovery of rhabdomyolysis, the polyuric phase persists during renal recovery. During this time, up to one third of patients may have rebound hypercalcemia due to massive muscle calcium release. As per case reports the hypercalcemia phase lasts from 8 days to 3.5 months. In our case, the patient initially developed hypocalcemia in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury from rhabdomyolysis. He developed hypercalcemia in the polyuric phase of renal recovery. The hypercalcemia resolved with intravenous hydration, calcitonin and pamidronate. Rhabdomyolysis is a rare cause for both hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia. Our case highlights the biphasic calcium response associated with rhabdomyolysis in the setting of renal impairment and recovery. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Intradialytic cardiovascular injury is lowest in high-volume haemodiafiltration: a randomized cross-over trial in four intermittent dialysis strategies.

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) and subsequent tissue damage may contribute to the poor outcome of chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients. While the IDH-incidence is lower in high-volume haemodiafiltration (HV-HDF) than in standard HD (S-HD), survival is better in HV-HDF. Tissue injury, as measured by extracellular vesicle (EV)-release, was compared between four modalities. Forty chronic patients were cross-over randomized to S-HD, cool-HD (C-HD), low-volume HDF (LV-HDF), and HV-HDF. Blood pressure was recorded every 15 minutes. EVs from circulating blood-cell-elements (bio-incompatibility-related) and cardiovascular (CV) tissues (CV-related), were measured before and after dialysis. The influence of modalities and IDH on the rate of change of EVs was assessed. Both crude and haemoconcentration-adjusted analyses were performed. Leukocyte and erythrocyte-derived EVs increased in all modalities. Platelet-derived EVs increased more in LV-HDF and HV-HDF (68.4 respectively 56.1×106/ml) than in S-HD (27.5×106/ml), P values for interaction were <.01 respectively .06. Endothelial-derived CD144+ (2.3×106/ml in HV-HDF and 9.8×106/ml in S-HD) and cardiomyocyte-derived Connexin-43+ (12.0 respectively 31.9×106/ml) EVs increased less in HV-HDF than in S-HD (P for interaction .03 respectively .06). Correction for haemoconcentration attenuated all changes, although the increase in platelet-derived EVs remained significant in LV-HDF and HV-HDF, and CD144+ and Connexin-43+ EVs increased most in S-HD. EV release was similar in patients with varying IDH susceptibility and in sessions with and without IDH. Most EVs increase during HD and HDF. Regarding platelet-derived EVs, HDF appears less biocompatible than HD. Considering CV-related EVs, tissue injury seems less pronounced in HV-HDF. The finding that EV release is IDH-independent needs confirmation.

“Index Case of Multiresistant Ochrobactrum Anthropi in an Immunocompetent Postpartum Female with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: A Unique Case at a Tertiary Care Centre in India”

Ochrobactrum anthropi, an emerging nosocomial pathogen associated with medical devices, presents a distinct challenge in healthcare. While prevalent in patients with invasive devices, such as central venous catheters, its occurrence in hemodialysis (HD) patients is rarely reported. This study details a case of O. anthropi bacteremia-induced septic shock in an immunocompetent, non-diabetic, post-LSCS-postpartum female undergoing intermittent dialysis at AIIMS Rishikesh, a tertiary care center in Uttarakhand, India. In addition to the clinical case, we provide a concise review of O. anthropi infections in HD patients, emphasizing the need for rapid pathogen identification, susceptibility testing, and tailored antimicrobial therapy for favorable outcomes.

P50: Heart and Kidney Transplant and Recovery after Left Ventricular Assist Device and Intermittent Hemodialysis: Systematic Review and Individual-Participant-Data Meta-analysis

Background: Patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) who require chronic intermittent dialysis (iHD) are considered to have poor prognosis despite paucity of supportive evidence, most of which is limited to case reports and very small single-center cohorts. This systematic review and individual-participant-data meta-analysis aims to study the main outcomes of patients receiving iHD during durable LVAD support, including heart, kidney, and heart-kidney transplantation (HT, KT, HKT, respectively) and mortality. Methods: We retrieved citations from ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science through systematic searches. We selected cohort studies (with n ≥5) of patients who were started on iHD at any point during durable LVAD support, excluding patients who exclusively received continuous renal replacement therapy but no actual iHD. We conducted Kaplan-Meier survival estimations and graphs, and compared mortality data between groups using the Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon test. P <.05 was considered statistically significant. We did not pursue inputations for missing data. Results: Six studies with a total of 64 patients met selection criteria. Their median age was 57.5 (46-64.5) years, 49 (76.6%) were men, 46 (86.8%) patients had a HeartMate (HM) 2, whereas 5 (9.4%) had a HM3, and 2 (3.8%) had an HVAD. Twenty-eight (66.7%) patients had LVADs as bridge to HT, and 14 (33.3%) as destination therapy. Only 26 (65%) were reported to have a history of CKD. Patients were initiated on iHD at a median of 18 (7-48) days after LVAD implantation, and remained on iHD for 68 (36-185) days. Eleven (17.2%) patients received HT, and at least 1 additional patient achieved myocardial recovery with LVAD explantation. Four (4.3%) patients became recipients of HKT, including one patient who had recovered enough of their renal function as to stop needing iHD prior to transplantation. Twenty-seven (42.2%) experienced renal recovery. Thirty-one (48.4%) patients died at 103 (64-308) days after initiation of iHD. According to Kaplan-Meier survival calculations, median survival was estimated at 153 (SE 217.5; CI 65-835) days (Figure 1). Survival after initiation of iHD was statistically significantly longer for patients who received HT (mortality: 2 [6.4%] vs 16 [11.6%]; p=.0346; median survival: 1972 [SE 98.8; 799-] days vs 93 [SE 10.3; CI 57-404] days), as evidenced in Figure 2. Survival comparisons between groups stratified based on other outcomes (HKT, renal recovery, composite HKT/renal recovery) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The 18.8% of patients who achieved dual heart and kidney recovery and/or transplantation after being supported with LVAD and iHD experienced a significantly longer median survival. Only one patient experienced dual heart-kidney recovery. Larger contemporary multicenter cohort studies are warranted on this topic.Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Survival Estimate (for the whole sample)Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier Survival Estimate According to Heart Transplant Status

Global Perspectives in Acute Kidney Injury: Spain.

Global Perspectives in Acute Kidney Injury: Spain.

Development and validation of a dosing nomogram for continuous infusion cloxacillin in infective endocarditis.

Cloxacillin is the first-line treatment for methicillin-susceptible staphylococcal infective endocarditis (IE). The recommended dose is 12 g per day regardless of the patient characteristics, despite the importance of renal function on its pharmacokinetics. We sought to build a population pharmacokinetics model of continuous infusion cloxacillin in IE patients to evaluate the influence of multiple covariates and then develop a nomogram based on significant covariates for individual adaptation. We included patients of a local IE cohort who were treated with cloxacillin administered by continuous infusion, excluding those who received intermittent or continuous dialysis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or extracorporeal circulation. The population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using Pmetrics. The influence of weight, ideal weight, height, body mass index, body surface area, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula (both expressed in mL/min/1.73 m² and in mL/min) and serum protein level on cloxacillin pharmacokinetics was assessed. Accounting for relevant covariates, a dosing nomogram was developed to determine the optimal daily dose required to achieve a steady-state plasma concentration range of 20-50 mg/L with a probability ≥0.9. A total of 114 patients (331 plasma concentrations) were included. A one-compartment model including GFR expressed in mL/min as a covariate was chosen. Using the nomogram, achieving the cloxacillin concentration target requires a daily dose ranging from 3.5 to 13.1 g for a GFR ranging from 20 to 125 mL/min. This work provided a practical tool for cloxacillin dose adjustment in IE according to renal function.

LIFE-THREATENING HEMOPTYSIS AS A COMPLICATION OF ENDOBRONCHIAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED NEEDLE ASPIRATION IN A 55-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE

LIFE-THREATENING HEMOPTYSIS AS A COMPLICATION OF ENDOBRONCHIAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED NEEDLE ASPIRATION IN A 55-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE

High-Volume Hemodiafiltration and Cool Hemodialysis Have a Beneficial Effect on Intradialytic Hemodynamics: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial of Four Intermittent Dialysis Strategies

IntroductionCompared to standard hemodialysis (S-HD), postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF) has been associated with improved survival.MethodsTo assess whether intradialytic hemodynamics may play a role in this respect, 40 chronic dialysis patients were cross-over randomized to S-HD (dialysate temperature [Td] 36.5 °C), cooled HD (C-HD; Td 35.5 °C), and HDF (low-volume [LV-HDF)] and high-volume [HV-HDF], both Td 36.5 °C, convection volume 15 liters, and at least 23 liters per session, respectively), each for 2 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured every 15 minutes. The primary endpoint was the number of intradialytic hypotensive (IDH) episodes per session. IDH was defined as systolic BP (SBP) less than 90 mmHg for predialysis SBP less than 160 mmHg and less than 100 mmHg for predialysis SBP greater than or equal to 160 mmHg, independent of symptoms and interventions. A post hoc analysis on early-onset IDH was performed as well. Secondary endpoints included intradialytic courses of SBP, diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP).ResultsDuring S-HD, IDH occurred 0.68 episodes per session, which was 3.2 and 2.5 times higher than during C-HD (0.21 per session, P < 0.0005) and HV-HDF (0.27 per session, P < 0.0005), respectively. Whereas the latter 2 strategies showed similar frequencies, HV-HDF differed significantly from LV-HDF (P = 0.02). A comparable trend was observed for early-onset IDH: S-HD (0.32 per session), C-HD (0.07 per session, P < 0.0005) and HV-HDF (0.10 per session, P = 0.001). SBP, DBP, and MAP declined during S-HD (−6.8, −5.2, −5.2 mmHg per session; P = 0.004, P < 0.0005, P = 0.002 respectively), which was markedly different from C-HD (P < 0.01).ConclusionThough C-HD and HV-HDF showed the lowest IDH frequency and the best intradialytic hemodynamic stability, all parameters were most disrupted in S-HD. Therefore, the survival benefit of HV-HDF over S-HD may be partly caused by a more beneficial intradialytic BP profile.

MO124: Intradialytic Symptomatology is Largely Patient-Specific in both Haemodialysis and Haemodiafiltration: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial between Four Intermittent Dialysis Modalities

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Standard haemodialysis is associated with a considerable burden of intradialytic symptoms. Although haemodialysis with cool dialysate is associated with less intradialytic discomfort in general, the incidence of cold sensations increases significantly. Whether treatment with online post-dilution high-volume haemodiafiltration [target convection volume (CV) ≥23 L/session] reduces adverse intradialytic symptoms and provokes cold sensations is unknown. METHOD We performed a randomized controlled cross-over trial in 40 prevalent dialysis patients, who were subjected to two haemodialysis modalities: standard haemodialysis [sHD; dialysate temperature (Td) of 36.5°C] and cool haemodialysis (cHD; Td 35.5°C) and two haemodiafiltration modalities: low-volume haemodiafiltration (lvHDF, CV 15 L/1.73 m2/session, Td 36.5°C) and high-volume haemodiafiltration (hvHDF, CV ≥23 L/1.73 m2/session, Td 36.5°C). Every dialysis modality lasted 2 weeks. Intradialytic symptoms were evaluated after the last session of each dialysis modality, with a slightly modified Dialysis Symptom Index (mDSI). Intradialytic thermal sensations were scored on the Visual Analogue Scale Thermal Perception (VAS-TP) before and after 1 and 3 h of each treatment session. Patients were trained to use the mDSI and VAS-TP, in order to reduce incidental stress and unwanted learning responses due to the trial environment. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way ANOVA were used to measure potential differences in intradialytic symptoms between the dialysis modalities (intraindividual differences) and to assess potential interindividual differences in intradialytic symptoms. Linear mixed models with an interaction term between time and modality were used to determine differences in rate of change of VAS-TP between the four modalities. When appropriate, stratified models were fitted subsequently. RESULTS With the exception of cold sensations during cHD (P = .01), intradialytic symptoms did not differ between modalities, but varied markedly between patients (P &amp;lt; .05 in 11/13 items, Table 1). While the VAS-TP score remained unaltered in sHD, lvHDF and hvHDF, patients felt significantly more cold sensations during cHD (P = .007)(Figure 1). Stratified models showed a decrease of 0.43 points/h on the VAS-TP scale (P = .007) in the first hour of cHD and remained unaltered thereafter [+0.10 points/h (P = .20)]; thermal perception remained unaltered [0.04 points/h (P = .77)] in the other modalities. CONCLUSION Intradialytic symptomatology was, except for the symptom feeling cold, by and large similar in all modalities, but it varied markedly between patients. Hence, adverse intradialytic symptoms seem largely patient-specific. Patients experienced more cold sensations during cool HD, but not during haemodiafiltration.

MO657: Low Incidence of Intradialytic Hypotension During Online Post-Dilution High-Volume Haemodiafiltration: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial between Four Intermittent Dialysis Modalities

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Compared with standard haemodialysis (S-HD), online post-dilution haemodiafiltration (HDF) is associated with improved survival, especially when high convection volumes [high-volume (HV)-HDF] are achieved [1]. A superior intradialytic haemodynamic stability may play an important role in this respect. Therefore, we assessed whether the intradialytic haemodynamic profile differs between four dialysis modalities, including S-HD and HV-HDF. METHOD In the current randomized cross-over trial (NCT03249532, ClinicalTrials.gov), 40 prevalent dialysis patients were subjected to S-HD [dialysate temperature (Td) 36.5°C], HD with cool dialysate (C-HD; Td 35.5°C), low-volume (LV)-HDF [convection volume (CV) 15 L/1.73 m2/session) and HV-HDF (CV ≥23 L/1.73 m2/session) (both Td 36.5°C). Blood pressure (BP) was measured 4x/hour. The primary endpoint was the total number of intradialytic hypotensive (IDH) episodes. IDH was defined as a nadir in systolic BP (SBP) &amp;lt;90 mmHg for a pre-dialysis SBP &amp;lt;160 mmHg and &amp;lt;100 mmHg for a pre-dialysis SBP ≥160 mmHg, independent of symptoms and interventions. In addition, an explorative analysis was performed on the incidence of early-onset IDH, which has recently been related to mortality [2]. Secondary endpoints included the intradialytic courses of SBP, diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). RESULTS IDH occurred significantly less frequent during C-HD (0.21 episodes/session) and HV-HDF (0.27/session) compared with S-HD (0.68/session, both P &amp;lt; .0005) (Figure 1). Furthermore, early-onset of IDH was also observed more frequently during S-HD (0.32/session) than during C-HD (0.07/session, P&amp;lt;.0005) or HV-HDF (0.10/session, P = .001) (Figure 1). After correction for multiple testing, the intradialytic courses of SBP, DBP and MAP declined only significantly during S-HD (−6.8, −5.2, −5.2 mmHg/session; P = .004, &amp;lt;.0005, .002 resp.) whereas these remained stable in the other modalities (Table 1). CONCLUSION In conclusion, during both C-HD and HV-HDF, IDH occurred least frequent and the intradialytic haemodynamic stability was best preserved. In contrast, intradialytic haemodynamic stability is most dysregulated during S-HD. Therefore, it is conceivable that the survival benefit of HV-HDF over S-HD is (at least partly) due to a more stable intradialytic haemodynamic profile and consequently less repetitive tissue injury.

Kt/V reach rate is associated with clinical outcome in incident peritoneal dialysis patients

Background The urea clearance index (Kt/V) is an important index for predicting the clinical outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, but it changes with time depending on the clinical condition. This study aimed to investigate the association between the Kt/V reach rate (defined as the percentage of Kt/V measurements that reached ≥ 1.70) and clinical outcome in incident PD patients. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 210 patients were enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 1 January 2013 to 31 October 2019. The target Kt/V reach rate in the first year was applied as the predictor variable. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were drawn to evaluate differences in prognosis. The association between Kt/V reach rate and the composite clinical outcome (death or transfer to hemodialysis) was tested by Cox regression analysis. Results The dialysis adequacy group (Kt/V reach rate 3/3 times) and the dialysis intermittent adequacy group (1/3 or 2/3 times) had significantly better clinical outcomes than the dialysis inadequacy group (0/3 times). There was no difference in clinical outcome between the lower-rate group (reach rate 1/3 times) and the higher-rate group (2/3 times). Compared with the dialysis inadequacy group, the dialysis intermittent adequacy group and dialysis adequacy group had significantly lower risks of the composite outcome (HR 0.487, 95% CI 0.244–0.971, p = 0.041; HR 0.150, 95% CI 0.043–0.520, p = 0.003) in the fully adjusted analysis. Conclusion Higher Kt/V reach rates are associated with a better prognosis in incident PD patients.

Validation and Clinical Application of a New Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) Method for Dalbavancin Quantification in Human Plasma

Dalbavancin (DBV) is an intravenous long-acting second-generation glycolipopeptide antibiotic with high efficacy and excellent tolerability, approved for use in the treatment of Gram-positive skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Nevertheless, little is known about its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties in real life, which is also due to technical challenges in its quantification in human plasma, preventing an effective application of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In fact, DBV has a high affinity to plasma proteins, possibly resulting in poor recovery after extraction procedure. The aim of this study was to validate a simple, cheap and reliable HPLC-MS method for use in TDM, in accordance with FDA and EMA guidelines. The optimized protein precipitation protocol required 50 μL of plasma, while chromatographic analysis could be performed in 12 min/sample. This method fulfilled the guidelines requirements and then, it was applied for routine DBV TDM in patients receiving off-label high doses (two 1500 + 1500 mg weekly infusions instead of 1000 + 500 mg), with normal renal function or undergoing hemodialysis: continuous hemodiafiltration caused a relevant reduction in DBV exposure, while intermittent dialysis showed comparable DBV concentrations with those of patients with normal renal function. This confirmed the eligibility of the presented method for use in TDM and its usefulness in clinical practice.

Impact of Renal Replacement Therapy on Mortality in Critically Ill Patients-The Nephrologist's View within an Interdisciplinary Intensive Care Team.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in critically ill patients with an incidence of up to 50% in intensive care patients. The mortality of patients with AKI requiring dialysis in the intensive care unit is up to 50%, especially in the context of sepsis. Different approaches have been undertaken to reduce this high mortality by changing modalities and techniques of renal replacement therapy: an early versus a late start of dialysis, high versus low dialysate flows, intermittent versus continuous dialysis, anticoagulation with citrate or heparin, the use of adsorber or special filters in case of sepsis. Although in smaller studies some of these approaches seemed to have a positive impact on the reduction of mortality, in larger studies these effects could not been reproduced. This raises the question of whether there exists any impact of renal replacement therapy on mortality in critically ill patients—beyond an undeniable impact on uremia, hyperkalemia and/or hypervolemia. Indeed, this is one of the essential challenges of a nephrologist within an interdisciplinary intensive care team: according to the individual situation of a critically ill patient the main indication of dialysis has to be identified and all parameters of dialysis have to be individually chosen with respect to the patient’s situation and targeting the main dialysis indication. Such an interdisciplinary and individual approach would probably be able to reduce mortality in critically ill patients with dialysis requiring AKI.

A cluster of tetrodotoxin poisoning in Oman

Introduction Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent sodium channel blocker, with significant neurotoxicity, found in marine animals like pufferfish and blue-ringed octopus. The severity of toxicity depends on the amount of toxin ingested and the outcome depends on the time-lapse to appropriate medical care. Cases report We report five patients who presented with tetrodotoxin poisoning after consuming fried internal organs of local pufferfish from the coast of Oman. The patients’ clinical manifestations were consistent with the expected TTX toxidrome of perioral and generalized paresthesia, weakness of upper and lower extremities, gastrointestinal manifestations, dyspnea, dysarthria, ascending paralysis, hypotension, bradycardia and coma. The severity varied among the patients who recovered completely except one patient who developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage without underlying aneurysms on computed tomography-angiogram. This complication was potentially related to TTX poisoning and has not been previously reported. In addition to standard supportive management, patients with severe illness should potentially receive the intravenous acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine, and intermittent dialysis. Urine specimens were sent to CDC in Atlanta, where they were analyzed using online solid phase extraction (SPE) with LC-MS/MS and confirmed the diagnosis in all five cases. Discussion In general, the patients’ clinical manifestations were consistent with the expected TTX toxidrome except patient 3 who developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage early during his clinical course. Two patients received neostigmine and underwent dialysis with complete recovery.

Intradialytic Hypotension in Critically Ill Patients on Hemodialysis With A-Line versus B-Line Pattern on Lung Ultrasonography

Intradialytic Hypotension in Critically Ill Patients on Hemodialysis With A-Line versus B-Line Pattern on Lung Ultrasonography

Intermittent Convective Therapies in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Introduction: In critically ill patients requiring intermittent renal replacement therapy (RRT), the benefits of convective versus diffusive clearance remain uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the safety, clinical efficacy, and clearance efficiency of hemofiltration (HF) and hemodiafiltration (HDF) compared to hemodialysis (HD) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) receiving intermittent RRT. Method: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO. We included clinical trials and observational studies that reported the use of intermittent HF or HDF in adult patients with AKI. The following outcomes were included: mortality, renal recovery, clearance efficacy, intradialytic hemodynamic stability, circuit loss, and inflammation modulation. Results: A total of 3,169 studies were retrieved and screened. Four randomized controlled trials and 4 observational studies were included (n: 615 patients). Compared with conventional HD, intermittent convective therapies had no effect on in-hospital mortality (relative risk, 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.76–1.99), renal recovery at 30 days (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.82–1.16), time-to-renal recovery (mean difference [MD], 0.77; 95% CI, −6.56 to 8.10), and number of dialysis sessions until renal recovery (MD, −1.34; 95% CI, −3.39 to 0.72). The overall quality of included studies was low, and dialysis parameters were suboptimal for all included studies. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that there is no significant difference in short-term mortality and renal recovery in patients with severe AKI when treated with intermittent HF or HDF compared to conventional HD. This systematic review emphasizes the need for further trials evaluating optimal convective parameters in AKI patients treated with intermittent dialysis.

Fluid balance management during continuous renal replacement therapy.

In critically ill patients, particularly in the setting of shock and sepsis volume management frequently results in a fluid overloaded state, requiring diuresis or intervention with renal replacement therapy. Achieving appropriate volume management requires knowledge of the underlying cardiovascular pathophysiology and careful evaluation of intravascular and extravascular volume status. In the presence of a failing kidney, fluid removal is often a challenge. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) techniques offer a significant advantage over intermittent dialysis for fluid control, however, any form of RRT in the critically ill patient requires careful attention to prescription and monitoring to avoid complications. In order to utilize these therapies for their maximum potential it is necessary to understand which factors influence fluid balance and have an understanding of the principles and kinetics of fluid removal with extra-corporeal techniques.