Seminars in Dialysis最新文献

Paradoxical embolism is a medical condition characterized by the migration of an embolus from a venous source into the systemic circulation. This occurs through a specific cardiac abnormality known as a right-to-left shunt, ultimately resulting in the possibility of arterial embolism. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common cause of intracardiac shunting. We reported a rare case of a 56-year-old man on hemodialysis with PFO and arteriovenous fistula dysfunction who suffered a paradoxical embolic ischemic stroke after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. This case emphasized the potential risk of paradoxical embolism in hemodialysis patients with vascular access problems. We aimed to highlight the importance of searching for PFO, as it may serve as a possible source of embolism in these patients.

Longitudinal evolution of peritoneal protein loss (PPL), a reflection of hydrostatic pressure-driven leak of plasma proteins through the large-pore pathway, is not clear. Time on PD causes loss of mesothelial cells, vasculopathy, and increased thickness of the submesothelial fibrous layer. Are these structural changes associated with progressive increase of PPL, in a parallel with the rise in the D/P creatinine? The aim of the present study was to identify longitudinal changes of PPL over time. This single-center, longitudinal study included 52 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with a median follow-up of 26.5 months, evaluated at two different time points with a minimum interval of 6 months. Repeated measures analysis was performed using paired sample t-test or the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test, depending on the distribution. After a median interval of 15.5 months, lower levels of residual renal function and urine volume, lower Kt/V, and creatinine clearance were found. D/P creatinine and PPL were stable, but a decrease in ultrafiltration was present. Systemic inflammation, nutrition, and volume overload showed no significant change with time on PD. Analysis of a subpopulation with over 48 months between initial and subsequential assessment (n = 11) showed again no difference in inflammation, nutritional and hydration parameters from baseline, but importantly PPL decreased after more than 4 years on PD (mean difference 1.2 g/24, p = 0.033). D/P creatinine and dip of sodium remained unchanged. The absence of deleterious effects of time on PD is reassuring, pointing to the benefit of updated PD prescription, including the standard use of more biocompatible solutions towards membrane preservation and adjusted prescription avoiding overhydration and inflammation while maintaining nutritional status. After controlling for confounders, PPL may act as a biomarker of acquired venous vasculopathy, even if small pore fluid transport rates and free water transport are preserved.

Stenosis in the anastomotic site or venous limb of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the most frequent cause of AVF failure. Percutaneous angioplasty with a standard or high-pressure balloon is the first-line treatment for AVF stenosis due to its higher technical success rate (90%) and lower complication rate (4%). Almost 20% of stenosis cases are resistant or undilatable by regular-pressure balloon angioplasty due to fibrosis, leading to technical failure or restenosis. Alternative therapies, such as atherectomy devices or cutting balloons, are expensive and difficult to obtain in low-income developing countries. We successfully treated resistant AVF stenosis with a coronary OPN-NC® ultra-high-pressure balloon and produced a good angiographic result with technical success. Coronary hardware is easily available and relatively cheaper compared to dedicated peripheral balloons or devices in our country due to reuse, which can be a boon in such type of cases. According to the standard hospital protocol, Cathlab hardware was reused.

Kidney replacement therapies (KRTs) including hemodialysis (HD) are one of the treatment options for most of the patients with end-stage kidney disease. Although HD is vital for these patients, it is not hundred percent physiological, and various adverse events including hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Fortunately, these reactions are rare in total and less when compared to previous decades, but it is still very important for at least two reasons: First, the number of patients receiving kidney replacement treatment is increasing globally; and the cumulative number of these reactions may be substantial. Second, although most of these reactions are mild, some of them may be very severe and even lead to mortality. Thus, it is very important to have basic knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat these reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur at any component of dialysis machinery (access, extracorporeal circuit, medications, etc.). The most important preventive measure is to avoid the allergen. However, even with very specific test, sometimes the allergen cannot be found. In mild conditions, HD can be contained with non-specific treatment (topical creams, antihistaminics, corticosteroids). In more severe conditions, treatment must be stopped immediately, blood should not be returned to patient, drugs must be stopped, and rules of general emergency treatment must be followed.

Background: Dialytic phosphate removal is a cornerstone of the management of hyperphosphatemia in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, but the influencing factors on peritoneal phosphate clearance (PPC) are incompletely understood. Our objective was to explore clinically relevant factors associated with PPC in patients with different PD modality and peritoneal transport status and the association of PPC with mortality.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional and prospective observational study. Four hundred eighty-five PD patients were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to PPC. All-cause mortality was evaluated after followed-up for at least 3 months.

Results: High PPC group showed lower mortality compared with Low PPC group by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Both multivariate linear regression and multivariate logistic regression revealed that high transport status, total effluent dialysate volume per day, continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), and protein in total effluent dialysate volume appeared to be positively correlated with PPC; body mass index (BMI) and the normalized protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (nPNA) were negatively correlated with PPC. Besides PD modality and membrane transport status, total effluent dialysate volume showed a strong relationship with PPC, but the correlation differed among PD modalities.

Conclusions: Higher PPC was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk in PD patients. Higher PPC correlated with CAPD modality, fast transport status, higher effluent dialysate volume and protein content, and with lower BMI and nPNA.

Mechanical problems like break or crack in Luer connectors or hubs, clamps, and tubings are common non-infectious complications of tunneled dialysis catheters (TDC), which may lead to other TDC complications and the need to insert a new catheter. These can be tackled using TDC repair kits or spare parts, which are often not available, resulting in the insertion of a new TDC that increases morbidity, TDC-related procedures, and healthcare costs. We discuss two cases of broken Luer connections of TDC, which were managed by exchanging the broken Luer connector of TDC with the similar Luer connector of a temporary dialysis catheter. Both the repaired TDCs are thereafter functioning well. This improvised technique provides an easy, effective, long-lasting option that salvages the existing TDC and reduces the cost factor.

The timing of peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation, whether conventional-start (planned) or urgent-start (unplanned), may impact the outcomes of PD and the rate of associated complications in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of unplanned/urgent-start PD versus conventional-start PD in this cohort of patients. Electronic search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Scopus databases was done from inception until July 2023 for studies reporting outcomes of unplanned/urgent-start and conventional-start PD in CKD patients. Outcomes of interest included mechanical complications, post-procedure infections, mortality, and transfer to hemodialysis. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and the influence of individual studies on the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were evaluated. Twenty-seven studies were finally included in the review. The overall risk of post-procedure infectious was comparable for both PD initiation methods (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.83-1.34). Similarly, the risks for peritonitis and exit site infections did not differ significantly. However, urgent-start PD correlated with a significantly higher risk of overall mechanical complications (OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.23-2.34). Specifically, the risk for leaks was notably higher (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.67-3.65) in the urgent-start group compared to the conventional-start PD group. Urgent-start PD correlated with significantly increased mortality rates (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.39-2.41). There was no difference in the likelihood of technique survival and transfer to hemodialysis. Both urgent-start and conventional-start PD correlated with similar risks of overall infectious complications. Urgent-start PD resulted in significantly increased risks of mechanical complications and mortality. Our findings emphasize the need for meticulous planning and consideration when opting for PD initiation.

Background: Pantoea agglomerans is an environmental pathogen known to cause infection in immunocompromised individuals, particularly after thorn injuries. However, previous data showed few cases of human disease caused by contaminated medical products such as parenteral nutrition, anesthetic agents, blood, and peritoneal dialysis solutions. Infection in hemodialysis patients is rare. In this study, we presented a detailed account of several hemodialysis patients infected with this contagious pathogen and compared them with noninfected dialysis patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 105 hemodialysis patients. Seventeen of 105 patients were diagnosed with P. agglomerans infection. We carefully analyzed their entire in-hospital course.

Results: Among infected patients, 52.9% were male with a median age of 49 (IQR: 32-66) years. Compared to the noninfected patients, age below 50 years, prior kidney transplantation, prior immunosuppression and antibiotics use, and dialysis via a tunneled vascular catheter were the significant epidemiological features. Despite negative microbiological investigations, we suspect the possible infectious spread via infected central venous catheter was the likely infectious source. Most importantly, all patients responded well to intravenous antibiotics. Only two patients required the removal of the tunneled catheter. Their mortality rate was 0%.

Conclusion: P. agglomerans infection, although considered rare, is becoming increasingly prevalent among dialysis patients. Its occurrence must be appraised as an infectious outbreak rather than mere contamination. Prompt treatment, source identification, and early implementation of preventive strategies should always be the goal to curtail this infection at an early stage.