Predialysis Serum Research Articles

Predialysis Urea Nitrogen Is a Nutritional Marker of Hemodialysis Patients.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis have poor nutritional status and associated problems such as inflammation and sarcopenia. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is an important measure of uremic toxins, and urea reduction is a marker of hemodialysis efficacy. However, a low protein diet for lower BUN could aggravate malnutrition in patients, and optimal pre-dialysis BUN is not defined. We investigated the association of pre-dialysis BUN with patients’ comorbidities and the relationship between pre-dialysis BUN and serum albumin as a nutrient marker. Among the 67 patients, the average pre- and post-dialysis BUN were 59.2 and 15.0 mg/dL, respectively, serum creatinine was 10.1 mg/dL, and the average serum albumin was 4.0 g/dL. Patients’ age was negatively correlated with serum creatinine (r=−0.277, p<0.05) and albumin (r=−0.453, p<0.001). Predialysis BUN showed a significant positive correlation with serum albumin (r=0.287, p<0.05) and creatinine (r=0.454, p<0.001). However, the predialysis BUN was not significantly related to diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or cerebrovascular disease. Hemodialysis patients with high pre-dialysis BUN and high serum creatinine could be regarded as having good nutritional status. The significance of this study lies in the potential utility of pre-dialysis blood urea nitrogen as an indicator of the nutritional status of patients. Liberal protein intake might be recommended to adequately dialyzed patients.

Effects of Medium Cut-Off Versus High-Flux Hemodialysis Membranes on Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background:Medium cut-off (MCO) membranes enhance large middle-molecule clearance while selectively retaining molecules >45 000 Da.Objectives:We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effects of MCO versus high-flux membranes on biomarkers.Methods:We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 2015 to July 2020, and gray literature sources from 2017. We included randomized (RS) and nonrandomized studies (NRS) comparing MCO and high-flux membranes in adults (>18 years) receiving maintenance hemodialysis. We performed study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisals in duplicate and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Outcomes included solute removal (plasma clearance or dialysate quantitation), reduction ratios, and predialysis serum concentrations for a range of prespecified large middle molecules.Results:We identified 26 eligible studies (10 RS and 16 NRS; N = 1883 patients; patient-years = 1366.3). The mean difference (MD) for albumin removal was 2.31 g per session (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.79 to 1.83; high certainty), with a reduction in predialysis albumin of −0.12 g/dl (95% CI, −0.16 to −0.07; I2 = 0%; high certainty) in the first 24 weeks, returning to normal (MD = −0.02 g/dl, 95% CI, −0.07 to −0.03; I2 = 56%; high certainty) after 24 weeks. We also found with high certainty that MCO dialysis resulted in a large increase (standardized mean difference [SMD]> 2.0 for all) in β2-microglobulin, κ- and λ-free light chains, and myoglobin removal, resulting in moderate (SMD > 0.5) to large (SMD > 0.8) reductions in predialysis concentrations for all of these solutes. Medium cut-off dialysis increased the reduction ratio for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by 7.7% (95% CI, 4.7 to 10.6; moderate certainty), and reduced predialysis TNF-α by SMD −0.48 (95% CI, −0.91 to −0.04; moderate certainty). We found with moderate certainty that MCO dialysis had little to no effect on predialysis interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma concentrations. Medium cut-off dialysis reduced mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral leukocytes by MD −15% (95% CI, −19.6 to −10.4; moderate certainty) and −8.8% (95% CI, −10.2 to −7.4; moderate certainty), respectively.Conclusion:Medium cut-off dialysis increases the clearance of a wide range of large middle molecules and likely reduces inflammatory mediators with a concomitant transient reduction in serum albumin concentration. The net effect of MCO dialysis on large middle molecules could translate into important clinical effects.

How to Adjust the Sodium Concentration in Dialysate Individually and Practically?

The optimal dialysate sodium concentration for chronic hemodialysis patients remains controversial. Conflicting data from small observational studies and large cohort study data have not convinced nephrologists to choose either a high or low sodium dialysate. Despite a lack of evidence, I would prescribe individualized dialysate sodium concentrations for patients with a risk of hypertension or volume overload, aligning the dialysate sodium concentration with patients’ predialysis serum sodium level. The concentration of dialysate sodium would usually be 0–2 mEq/L below the patient’s serum sodium concentration. I believe that this strategy would help improve hypertension, intradialytic weight gain, cardiac outcomes, and deliver precision medicine.

Opinion on the (Hemo)dialysate Sodium Prescription: Dialysate Sodium Prescription Should Not Be Considered in Isolation

With advances in hemodialysis technology and the desire to achieve cardiovascular stability during dialysis, prescribed dialysate sodium concentration has gradually increased over the years. Short-term trials suggest low dialysate sodium (&lt;138 mEq/L) is beneficial in reducing interdialytic weight gain, pre- and post-dialysis BP, and predialysis serum sodium; but it increases intradialytic hypotensive episodes. We believe dialysate sodium prescription cannot be considered in isolation. Our approach is to use patient symptoms, meticulous fluid volume management and low temperature dialysate in conjunction with neutral dialysate sodium in managing our dialysis patients. Long-term trials are needed to inform optimum dialysate sodium prescription.

Hyperkalaemia prevalence, recurrence and treatment in patients on haemodialysis in China: protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study (PRECEDE-K)

IntroductionHyperkalaemia (HK) is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte imbalance associated with several adverse clinical outcomes and is common in patients with kidney failure. However, there is no evidence on the occurrence,...

Effect of Citrate-Acidified Dialysate on Intact Parathyroid Hormone in Prevalent Hemodialysis Patients: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundIt has been proposed that substituting citrate-acidified dialysate (CAD) solutions for acetate-acidified dialysate (AAD) could improve hemodynamics and dialysis tolerance and reduce the requirement for systemic anticoagulation. Citrate chelates ionized calcium, but long-term effects of CAD use during maintenance hemodialysis have not been well studied. While many studies of the effects of CAD on serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) have been short-term or have been limited by sample size, we aimed to determine if there are any long-term (i.e., 6-month) changes from pre-dialysis iPTH levels when patients are switched from AAD to CAD.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study compared various clinical parameters, including pre-dialysis iPTH and serum calcium as well as single pool Kt/V, from eligible patients who received in-center hemodialysis thrice-weekly in geographically matched CAD (n=3) or AAD clinics (n=12). CAD clinics were defined as clinics converting from AAD to CAD if >85% of the patients were prescribed CAD after implementation of CAD within the clinic.ResultsPre-dialysis iPTH was not significantly different from baseline to 6-month follow-up within either CAD or AAD clinics. Moreover, the mean change from baseline to month 6 in iPTH between patients (n=142) in CAD clinics (−17 pg/mL) and patients (n=671) in AAD clinics (13 pg/mL) was similar (p = 0.24). Likewise, the differences in the mean change in serum calcium concentrations and dialysis adequacy (single pool Kt/V) were not significant between CAD and AAD clinics. For subgroups of patients who were never prescribed cinacalcet or calcium-based phosphate binders, there were no significantly different categorical shifts in iPTH between CAD and AAD clinics.ConclusionSimilar trends in single pool Kt/V, iPTH, and serum calcium levels were observed in clinics that switched from AAD to CAD versus the geographically matched AAD clinics. These results support CAD as a potential alternative to AAD in hemodialysis.

A multicenter study of hemodialysis using individualized dialysate potassium concentrations.

Dialysate potassium concentration directly affects the serum potassium level and safety of hemodialysis patients. In most dialysis centers in China, a single dialysate potassium concentration is used for dialysis, but there is no data on whether this is reasonable or not. Serum potassium values before and after dialysis in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients between 2019 and 2020 were collected from 5 hemodialysis centers in Shanghai, which uniformly use dialysate with a potassium concentration (KD) of 2.0 mmol/L, and data were collected 3 times per patient for analysis. Serum potassium fluctuation was analyzed after administration of individualized KD dialysate. In all, 1,296 MHD patients were included in the study. Predialysis serum potassium was lower than 4.5 mmol/L in 38.0% and higher than 5.5 mmol/L in 14.6% of patients. Postdialysis serum potassium was lower than 3 mmol/L in 11.3% and higher than 4 mmol/L in 10.4% of patients. Pre-dialysis serum potassium was below 4.5 mmol/L and post- dialysis serum potassium was below 3 mmol/L in 9.54% of patients. Compared with patients younger than 40 years, patients >80 years more often exhibited predialysis serum potassium below 4.5 mmol/L and Postdialysis serum potassium below 3 mmol/L. A total of 668 patients underwent a trial of hemodialysis with individualized KD dialysate. When receiving individualized KD, compared with uniform KD 2.0 mmol/L, the number of patients with postdialysis serum potassium less than 3 mmol/L significantly decreased, the following predialysis serum potassium level was not significantly different from baseline, and the proportion of patients with predialysis serum potassium less than 4.5 mmol/L and postdialysis serum potassium less than 3 mmol/L significantly decreased. Hypokalemia and fluctuations of serum potassium are common in MHD patients. KD 2.0 mmol/L dialysate should not be used for all patients, and individualized KD dialysate for patients with low serum potassium reduces the incidence of hypokalemia.

Serum Potassium and Mortality Risk in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cohort Study

Rationale & ObjectiveBoth hypo- and hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Although predialysis serum potassium level is a known modifiable risk factor for death in patients receiving hemodialysis, especially for hypokalemia, this risk may be underestimated. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between predialysis serum potassium level and death in incident hemodialysis patients and whether there is an optimum level.Study DesignProspective multicenter cohort study.Setting & Participants1,117 incident hemodialysis patients (aged >18 years) from the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis-2 study were included and followed from their first hemodialysis treatment until death, transplantation, switch to peritoneal dialysis, or a maximum of 10 years.ExposurePredialysis serum potassium levels were obtained every 6 months and divided into 6 categories: ≤4.0 mmol/L, >4.0 mmol/L to ≤4.5 mmol/L, >4.5 mmol/L to ≤5.0 mmol/L, >5.0 mmol/L to ≤5.5 mmol/L (reference), >5.5 mmol/L to ≤6.0 mmol/L, and >6.0 mmol/L.Outcomes6-month all-cause mortality.Analytical ApproachCox proportional hazards and restricted cubic spline analyses with time-dependent predialysis serum potassium levels were used to calculate the adjusted HRs for death.ResultsAt baseline, the mean age of the patients was 63 years (standard deviation, 14 years), 58% were men, 26% smoked, 24% had diabetes, 32% had cardiovascular disease, the mean serum potassium level was 5.0 mmol/L (standard deviation, 0.8 mmol/L), 7% had a low subjective global assessment score, and the median residual kidney function was 3.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR, 1.4-4.8 mL/min/1.73 m2). During the 10-year follow-up, 555 (50%) deaths were observed. Multivariable adjusted HRs for death according to the 6 potassium categories were as follows: 1.42 (95% CI, 1.01-1.99), 1.09 (95% CI, 0.82-1.45), 1.21 (95% CI, 0.94-1.56), 1 (reference), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.71-1.28), and 1.32 (95% CI, 0.97-1.81).LimitationsShorter intervals between potassium measurements would have allowed for more precise mortality risk estimations.ConclusionsWe found a U-shaped relationship between serum potassium level and death in incident hemodialysis patients. A low predialysis serum potassium level was associated with a 1.4-fold stronger risk of death than the optimal level of approximately 5.1 mmol/L. These results may imply the cautious use of potassium-lowering therapy and a potassium-restricted diet in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Oral sodium bicarbonate in people on haemodialysis: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundAdverse events and mortality tend to cluster around dialysis sessions, potentially due to the impact of the saw-toothed profile of uraemic toxins such as potassium, peaking pre-dialysis and rapidly dropping during dialysis. Acidosis could be contributing to this harm by exacerbating a rise in potassium. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of oral bicarbonate treatment on reducing inter-dialytic potassium gain as well as other clinical consequences of preserving muscle mass and function and reducing intradialytic arrhythmia risk in people on haemodialysis.MethodsOpen-label randomised controlled trial in a single-centre (London, UK). Forty-three clinically stable adults on haemodialysis were recruited, with a 6 month average pre-dialysis serum bicarbonate level < 22 mmol/l and potassium > 4 mmol/l. Thirty-three participants completed the study. Oral sodium bicarbonate tablets titrated up to a maximum of 3 g bd (6 g total) in intervention group for 12 weeks versus no treatment in the control group. Outcomes compared intervention versus non-intervention phases in the treated group and equivalent time points in the control group: pre- and post-dialysis serum potassium; nutritional assessments: muscle mass and handgrip strength and electrocardiograms (ECGs) pre and post dialysis.ResultsParticipants took an average of 3.7 ± 0.5 g sodium bicarbonate a day. In the intervention group, inter-dialytic potassium gain was reduced from 1.90 ± 0.60 to 1.69 ± 0.49 mmol/l (p = 0.032) and pre-dialysis potassium was reduced from 4.96 ± 0.62 to 4.79 ± 0.49 mmol/l without dietary change. Pre-dialysis bicarbonate increased from 18.15 ± 1.35 to 20.27 ± 1.88 mmol/l, however with an increase in blood pressure. Nutritionally, lean tissue mass was reduced in the controls suggesting less catabolism in the intervention group. There was no change in ECGs. Limitations are small sample size and unblinded study design lacking a placebo, with several participants failing to achieve the target of 22 mmol/l serum bicarbonate levels due mainly to tablet burden.ConclusionOral sodium bicarbonate reduced bicarbonate loss and potassium gain in the inter-dialytic period, and may also preserve lean tissue mass.Trial registrationThe study was registered prospectively on 06/08/2015 with EU Clinical Trials Register EudraCT number 2015-001439-20.

Effectiveness of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate in Hemodialysis Patients With Severe Hyperkalemia

Effectiveness of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate in Hemodialysis Patients With Severe Hyperkalemia

Examination of factors affecting oral health in patients receiving haemodialysis.

Patients receiving haemodialysis suffer from oral problems, pain, deteriorated nutrition, and decreased self-confidence and quality of life. Nurses have a critical role in the evaluation and care of oral health. The aim was to investigate the associations between socio-demographic characteristics, medication use, and biochemical blood levels and oral health in adult patients receiving haemodialysis treatment. This study was conducted as a descriptive study. The sample study was made up of one hundred and fifty individuals treated with haemodialysis between March and June 2018. Patient diagnosis and Bedside Oral Exam guide was the tool used to examine oral health. It was seen that patients' oral health worsened as the number of dental caries increased. It was found that low level of education, those with nonregular oral care and brushing teeth, those using parathyroid hormone-lowering agents and who stated they complied with the drug and diet therapy had higher mean Bedside Oral Exam guide scores, meaning their oral health was statistically significantly worse (p < 0.05). Bedside Oral Exam guide scores were weakly negatively correlated with predialysis serum potassium levels (r = -0.213; p = 0.009), weakly positively correlated with the daily fluid amount consumed (r = -0.185; p = 0.024), and decayed teeth (r = -0.224; p = 0.006). Use of parathyroid hormone-lowering agents, low level of education, insufficient oral care, decayed teeth, compliance with diet and medication, daily liquid consumption, and low potassium levels could lead to an increased severity of poor oral health in patients receiving haemodialysis. Oral and dental health protocols should be developed for all haemodialysis units.

New Estimation Formulas for Daily Sodium Intake in Hemodialysis Patients by a Duplicate Portion Method

Excess sodium intake is associated with volume overload and increased blood pressure. Therefore, to prevent future cardiovascular events, a sodium-restricted diet is strongly recommended for patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). However, only one formula for estimating dietary sodium intake in HD patients is available, and its validity has not been adequately evaluated. This study aimed to measure daily sodium intake using the duplicate portion method and provide a new formula for estimating dietary sodium intake. Nineteen Japanese patients undergoing HD were enrolled in this cross-sectional multicenter study. The daily sodium intake of these patients was measured directly using the duplicate portion method. Two formulas for estimating sodium intake were developed by stepwise regression analysis. Their validities were compared with the validity of the previous formula. Furthermore, using these new formulas, we estimated the daily consumption of sodium in a large number of Japanese HD patients. The previous formula underestimated true sodium intake using Bland-Altman diagrams. No significant correlation was noted between the measured sodium intake and the estimated intake (r=0.30, P=.23, Fisher's Z-transformation). The new formulas 1 and 2, which included age, predialysis and postdialysis serum sodium levels, predialysis body weight, and interdialytic body weight gain, accurately estimated sodium consumption. The coefficients of correlation between the estimated values and the true sodium intake were r=0.858 and r=0.805, respectively. The simulation model using data from the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy showed that the distribution of the estimated sodium intake using the previous formula shifted left compared with that using the new formulas. The new formulas accurately estimated the daily sodium consumption in HD patients. Further longitudinal studies are required to determine whether the estimated sodium intake level calculated using the new formulas would serve as a potential marker and/or therapeutic target to prevent cardiovascular events in HD patients.

Predialysis serum phosphate and intradialytic hypotension.

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common complication of hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Higher serum phosphate is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in maintenance HD patients; however, its association with IDH has not previously been assessed. This is an analysis of a prospective cohort of 969 HD patients (80,968 HD sessions) receiving HD at a large dialysis organization (LDO) and a post-hoc analysis of 1838 HD patients (10,594 HD sessions) in the Hemodialysis study (HEMO), a multicenter randomized controlled trial that examined standard or high-dose HD and low-flux or high-flux membranes. Unadjusted and adjusted mixed effects regression models were fit to determine the association of pre-HD serum phosphate with IDH, defined as a nadir intra-HD systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg. In the LDO cohort, baseline mean pre-HD serum phosphate was 5.2 ± 1.7mg/dl. IDH occurred in 15.6% of HD sessions. In the adjusted model, higher pre-HD serum phosphate (per 1mg/dl) was associated with a 12% increased risk of IDH (aOR 1.12, 95% CI 1.10-1.13, p <0.001). In exploratory models where pre-HD laboratory values were available, the effect estimate was attenuated but remained statistically significant (aOR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.08; p <0.01). Participants in the highest (compared with the lowest) quartile of pre-HD serum phosphate had a 56% greater risk of IDH in the adjusted model (aOR Q4:Q1 1.56; 95% CI 1.44-1.68, p <0.001). The association of higher phosphate with IDH was consistent in the HEMO data. Higher pre-HD serum phosphate is independently associated with an increased risk of IDH. As HD may cause an acute decline in serum phosphate, future studies to investigate the mechanisms of this association are warranted.

Calcium carbonate-enriched cheese to improve nutrition, compliance and phosphorus control in patients on kidney replacement therapy.

BackgroundPatients on renal replacement therapy face many dietary limitations, and cheese is often limited because of its high phosphate content; we have developed cheese with added calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to provide patients with a nutritional opportunity while improving their phosphate control.MethodsThe present double-blind crossover study was aimed to compare the new modified cheese with an equivalent standard product in 16 patients. The increase in inter-dialysis phosphorus (ΔP) and pre-dialysis calcium were used as the primary endpoints for efficacy and safety.ResultsThe median ΔP (and IQR) was significantly lower with the modified cheese compared with the standard product: 2.5 (1.9–2.9) mg/dL vs. 2.7 (2.2–3.4) mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.02). No difference was observed in pre-dialysis serum calcium levels.ConclusionsThe described modified cheese may represent an interesting means of overcoming some of the dietary limitations in patients on dialysis to help them achieve better nutrition and quality of life.Graphic abstract

Lithium therapy in patients on dialysis: A systematic review.

Lithium is a first-line pharmacotherapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder, but long-term use is associated with nephrotoxicity. However, as dialysis effectively eliminates lithium, it remains a pharmacotherapeutic option for patients on dialysis. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the dosing, safety, efficacy, and monitoring of lithium in patients receiving dialysis. A PubMed database search performed May 5th, 2020, identified 535 article titles. After exclusion criteria were applied, a total of 15 articles were included in this systematic review. In 18 patients receiving dialysis, lithium was primarily used for the treatment of mood disorders. The majority of patients received 300-900 mg lithium carbonate thrice-weekly following dialysis, but several alternative lithium salts and dosing strategies were utilized. The pharmacokinetic properties of lithium in dialysis are not well understood and can be complicated by a serum lithium "rebound effect" following dialysis, due to a two-compartment volume of distribution. Additionally, presence of residual diuresis in some patients may be reason to administer lithium more frequently than thrice-weekly following dialysis. Lithium was shown to be an effective pharmacotherapy in all patients, with many demonstrating rapid improvement after drug initiation. Five patients experienced an adverse event on lithium, but only one patient required lithium discontinuation. Lithium may be used in patients on dialysis, with close monitoring of pre-dialysis serum lithium concentrations for at least two weeks after treatment initiation, followed by a lower frequency after stabilization to ensure therapeutic concentrations and reduce toxicity risk.

MO1055JUDICIOUS DIALYSIS DISCONTINUATION IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: LENDING MORE TIME TO ECONOMICALLY BURDENED PATIENTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important public health problem owing to its high prevalence, morbidity, mortality and socio-economic burden. Patients with end stage kidney disease need to be on kidney replacement therapy which significantly impacts livelihood. Annual average cost of treatment for patients on dialysis is reported to be USD 3151 in developing country like India. It’s quiet high given per capita income of USD 1670 Method One hundred fifty one CKD Stage 5D patients from Punjab and Rajasthan states, North India were studied in this cross-sectional study. Patients initiated on dialysis within 3 months or protein energy wasting (as per criteria proposed by ISRNM) were excluded. Asymptomatic willing patients, clinically stable for at least 3 months and with pre-dialysis serum Creatinine &amp;lt;6mg/dl, serum potassium &amp;lt;5mg/dl were given a trial for dialysis discontinuation after informed written consent. Biochemical and hemodynamic parameters were measured weekly for 4 weeks and later once monthly. Patients who developed uremic features or rapid rise in serum creatinine were restarted on dialysis. Results Fourteen (9.27%) asymptomatic patients with well controlled blood pressure were discontinued from dialysis. Out of them, thirteen patients were on hemodialysis and one on peritoneal dialysis. Twelve (85.71%) out of them were presumed chronic interstitial nephritis while two (14.28%) were autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Mean age of patients was 52.5 years (SD ±18.14 years). Most patients (11/14) were on three or more anti-hypertensive. Mean dialysis vintage was 8.14 months (range 4-16 months). Most patients were non-compliant to dialysis (Mean frequency once in seven days). Two patients were on once in two week dialysis schedule. Mean 24 hour urine output (calculated over 1 week) was 1500ml. Mean baseline serum creatinine was 4.4 mg/dl (SD ±1.06 mg/dl). Mean pre-dialysis serum potassium was 4.5 mg/dl (SD ±0.42 mg/dl). Post-discontinuation serum creatinine levels has been outlined in figure 1. Mean distance of dialysis centre from residence was 83.43 Km (range 1-240 km). One patient need to be restarted on dialysis at fourth week of dialysis discontinuation. Rest patients remained symptom-free and tolerated well. Conclusion CKD Stage5D patients should be regularly screened for residual renal function. Recovery of renal function could be seen in some (&amp;lt;10%) cases. Dialysis discontinuation in these cases would decrease their financial and stress burden. However, these cases should be monitored closely and followed-up regularly

MO563HIGH DIALYSATE MAGNESIUM AND CORONARY ARTERY CALCIFICATION IN MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS*

Abstract Background and Aims Cardiovascular calcification is highly prevalent among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Low normal serum magnesium has been linked to a more severe degree of vascular calcification and a decrease in patient survival. An inhibitory effect of extracellular magnesium on osteogenic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the upregulation of anti-calcification protein have been confirmed in vitro. Increased dialysate magnesium concentration has also been shown to lower calcification propensity of the serum of maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. Method This study is an investigator initiated, single-blinded, parallel-group, matched case-control clinical trial that investigated the effect of high dialysate magnesium concentration for 24 weeks on the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in maintenance HD patients. The changes in laboratory data and bone mineral density (BMD) were also examined. Seventy-six ESRD patients underwent CAC screening by multi-slice computed tomography and BMD measurement by dual-x-ray absorptiometry. Only patients with Agatston score&amp;gt;300 were included. They were matched according to the initial CAC score that fell within 20% of one another. Twenty patients were assigned to high dialysate magnesium concentration of 1.75 mEq/L and the matched controls were kept on standard dialysate magnesium concentration of 0.7 mEq/L. CAC and BMD measurements were repeated after 24 weeks. Laboratory data were obtained prior to dialysis at study entry, 8-week intervals during the study and 2 weeks after the study ended. Results There were no significant differences in age, sex, BMI, underlying diseases, dialysis vintage, medications, baseline CAC scores and BMD. The median baseline CAC Agatston score (Volume score) were 1923 (720) and 1672 (785) in the standard and high dialysate groups, respectively. At the end of the study, a significant increase in the CAC score was observed in both groups. Because majority of the included patients had severe calcification burden at baseline, patients were categorized into 2 subgroups using the median baseline CAC Agatston (1600) and Volume scores (700) as cut-offs. Among patients with CAC Agatston score &amp;lt;=1600, CAC score increased significantly in the standard dialysate magnesium group (P&amp;lt;0.01) but was stable in the high dialysate magnesium group (P=0.33). Among patients with CAC Agatston score &amp;gt;1600, the severity of CAC worsened in both groups. The progression of CAC was analyzed by the difference between the follow-up and the baseline square root transformed Agatston and Volume scores. In subgroup of patients with less severe calcification, more patients in the standard dialysate magnesium group progressed compared to the high dialysate magnesium group (P=0.03). In subgroup of patients with more severe calcification, the number of progressors were comparable among the 2 groups. Serum and ionized magnesium levels increased substantially during the study and returned to baseline after the return to standard dialysate magnesium concentration. The highest predialysis serum magnesium was 3.8 mg/dL. Most patients who received high dialysate magnesium reported the disappearance of symptoms of muscle cramps (P=0.01) and requested the high dialysate magnesium be continued after the end of the study. There were no significant changes in serum calcium, phosphate or PTH levels. The decline in BMD was observed in both groups but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion High dialysate magnesium was well tolerated and could ameliorate the progression of CAC in maintenance HD patients with mild to moderate vascular calcification.

Early results and medico-economic evaluation of a short daily home hemodialysis program in a Private hemodialysis center

Abstract: Between 2015 and 2017 there was a 40% increase in daily hemodialysis, according to the REIN database. This increase concerns 1% of patients and the private sector remains under-represented. Our retrospective study aims to describe the clinical features, the organizational and medico-economic specificities of this technique in a private hemodialysis center.&#x0D; Methods: We included 12 dialyzed patients trained on Nx Stage® machine from February 2020 to April 2021. Data were retrospectively obtained through review of our electronic medical records (EUCLID®).&#x0D; Results: Of the 12 patients trained, 11 dialyzed from home, with an average follow-up of 9 months (1-14). The average age was 45 with a sex ratio of 4/8 (M/W), and a median Charlson score of 3 (2-4). The average residual urinary output was 700 mL/24h, and 50% of patients were anuric. 100% of patients had an arteriovenous fistula and were cannulated using the buttonhole technique. 9 patients are on a transplant list. One patient needed anticoagulants. The mean training time was 35 days (28-35). 83% of patients were dialyzed 6 days a week with an average duration of 210 minutes (130-150) per session. The average volume of dialysate was 24.85 liters. One patient developed an allergy to the PUREMA® membrane. Pre-dialytic hemoglobin, serum creatinine, urea, phosphoremia and B2-microglobuline are stable at 9 months with improvement in metabolic acidosis.&#x0D; Conclusion: DHHD allowed a better socio-professional integration. One patient received a transplant and 3 patients resumed professional activity.

Consequences of Interdialytic Weight Gain Among Hemodialysis Patients.

BackgroundInterdialytic weight gain (IDWG) is a marker of higher pre-dialysis blood pressure, nutrition, and survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, this relationship is incompletely characterized. In this study, we seek to define the association of IDWG/dry weight x100 (IDWG%) on blood pressure (BP), and the nutritional status of an HD population.Material and MethodsThis study was performed on 300 HD patients. The data was collected over four weeks, including total IDWG, IDWG%, and blood pressure. Normalized protein nitrogen appearance (nPNA), and serum albumin were used as markers of nutritional status. Participants were divided into three groups according to the mean of the IDWG% between two sessions of HD (group A < 3%, group B = 3% - 3.9%, and group C ≥ 4%); they were then compared on various aspects. Student t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression analysis were used as statistical tools.ResultsThe mean (± standard deviation (SD)) age was 61.7 ± 14.2 years with 57.7% of the patients being male and 42.3% being female. The mean IDWG% for the whole studied population was 3.72% ± 1.73%. Between these three groups, a higher IDWG% was associated with younger males (p = 0.032), lower dry weight (p = 0.009), and longer duration on HD therapy (p = 0.009). IDWG% was directly associated with lower pre-dialysis serum sodium (p = 0.04), higher pre-dialysis serum creatinine (P = 0.002), and lower body mass index (BMI) (p= 0.003). Between these three groups, interdialytic variations in weight gain were not associated with increased BP. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of nPNA and serum albumin. ConclusionsThe most important associations of IDWG% are age, weight, pre-dialysis sodium, serum creatinine, and duration of dialysis (months). There was no association between IDWG% and increased systolic BP. IDWG% had no association with nutritional status.

High serum bicarbonate and adverse outcomes in hemodialysis patients

Metabolic acidosis is a usual complication of progressive chronic kidney disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. The correction of metabolic acidosis is a main goal of dialysis. In prevalent hemodialysis patients, acid-base homeostasis depends on many factors, mainly net acid production, amount of alkali given by the dialysate bath and duration of the interdialytic period. At present, the main concern in prevalent hemodialysis patients is not over patients with metabolic acidosis, but rather about the growing numbers of patients with metabolic alkalosis. Several large cohort studies have shown significant associations between high predialysis bicarbonate, as well as blood pH, and morbidity and mortality risk. Based on recent guidelines, we should keep predialysis serum bicarbonate concentrations at 24-26 mEq/L, although this is opinion-based and there is no consensus on the issue. Furthermore, there should be specific focus on the patient´s nutritional status and reversible comorbidities.