Albert Power

Sodium Citrate Versus Heparin Catheter Locks for Cuffed Central Venous Catheters: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUNDnSodium citrate has antibacterial and anticoagulant properties that are confined to the catheter when used as a catheter lock. Studies of its use as a catheter lock have suggested its efficacy in preventing infection and bleeding complications compared with sodium heparin.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnOpen-label randomized controlled trial of 2 catheter locks to examine the hypothesis that sodium citrate catheter locks will reduce catheter-related bacteremia and exit-site infection.nnnSETTINGS & PARTICIPANTSn232 consenting long-term hemodialysis patients in 4 satellite dialysis units to a large dialysis program with protocolized treatment and targets. All patients were using twin-catheter single-lumen Tesio-Caths (MedComp, Harleysville, PA).nnnINTERVENTIONn6 months use of 46.7% sodium citrate (citrate) or 5% heparin (heparin) locked postdialysis in the dead space of the central venous catheter.nnnOUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTSnPrimary end point of catheter-related bacteremia and exit-site infection. Secondary end points of catheter thrombosis defined by the use of urokinase lock and infusion, new catheter insertion, catheter-related admission, blood transfusions, parenteral iron, and erythropoietin requirements.nnnRESULTSnCatheter-related bacteremia did not differ in the 2 groups, with an incidence of 0.7 events/1,000 catheter-days. There was no significant difference in rates of exit-site infection (0.7 versus 0.5 events/1,000 catheter-days; P = 0.5). The secondary end point of catheter thrombosis defined by the use of a urokinase lock was significantly more common in the citrate group, with an incidence of 8 versus 4.3/1,000 catheter-days (P < 0.001). Other secondary end points did not differ. Citrate treatment was curtailed compared with heparin because of a greater incidence of adverse events, with a mean treatment duration before withdrawal of 4.8 +/- 2.0 versus 5.7 +/- 1.2 months, respectively (P < 0.001).nnnLIMITATIONSnLow baseline catheter-related bacteremia and exit-site infection event rates may have underpowered this study. High adverse-event rates may have been related to high-concentration citrate that led to increased overspill and reduction in lock volume. This may also explain the increased rates of thrombosis in this group.nnnCONCLUSIONnWidespread and long-term use of 46.7% citrate catheter locks with Tesio-Cath access is not justified by this study.

Impact of hernias on peritoneal dialysis technique survival and residual renal function.

♦ Objective: We evaluated the effect of hernias and their surgical or conservative management on peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique survival and residual renal function. ♦ Methods: This 10-year single-center retrospective case-control study (January 2001 - January 2011) compared patient survival, PD technique survival, and residual renal function in patients with a history of abdominal hernias and in a control cohort matched for age and PD vintage. ♦ Results: Of 73 hernias identified in 63 patients (mean age: 55 years; 63% men), umbilical hernias were the most frequent (40%), followed by inguinal (33%), incisional, and epigastric hernias. Some hernias were surgically repaired before (n = 10) or at the time of PD catheter insertion (n = 11), but most (71%) were diagnosed and managed after initiation of PD. Overall, 49 of 73 (67%) hernias were treated surgically. In 53% of subjects, early postoperative dialysis was not needed; only 7 patients required temporary hemodialysis. The occurrence of a hernia and its treatment did not significantly affect residual renal function. After a hernia diagnosis or repair, 86% of patients were able to continue with PD. ♦ Conclusions: The incidence of abdominal hernia and hernia management in patients on PD do not significantly influence residual renal function or PD technique survival. Timely management of hernias is advisable and does not preclude continuation with PD as a dialysis modality.

Long-term Tesio Catheter Access for Hemodialysis Can Deliver High Dialysis Adequacy with Low Complication Rates

PURPOSEnThe use of central venous catheters for long-term hemodialysis has been associated with increased mortality and high prevalence of infection and venous stenosis. However, because central venous catheters still constitute a significant proportion of vascular access in prevalent populations, even in the Fistula-First era, the authors examined the long-term patient outcomes and performance of this vascular access type to inform current clinical practice.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of 433 patients on maintenance hemodialysis in a dialysis program from January 1999 through April 2008 all using twin-catheter Tesio Caths (TCs) (MedCOMP, Harleysville, Pennsylvania). Written and electronic records were examined with respect to laboratory indices as well as mortality, access-related infection, need for thrombolytic infusion, access revision and dialysis adequacy.nnnRESULTSnA total of 759 TCs were inserted with 552,035 catheter days follow-up. Thirty-six percent of insertions were in patients incident to dialysis (< 90 days). Mean single-pool Kt/V was 1.6 ± 0.3. Cumulative cohort survival rates were 85%, 72%, and 48% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. No patients died as a result of lack of vascular access. Cumulative assisted primary access site patencies were 76%, 62%, and 42% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. The prevalence of symptomatic central venous stenosis was 5%. Catheter-related bacteremia occurred at a rate of 0.34 per 1,000 catheter days.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAppropriate use of TCs with protocolized care can deliver effective long-term hemodialysis with good adequacy and rates of access-related infection approaching those seen with arteriovenous grafts.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of stroke post-transplantation in patients receiving a steroid sparing immunosuppression protocol.

Corticosteroid use after transplantation is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events and death. Cerebrovascular disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality post‐renal transplantation; however, a dedicated analysis of cerebrovascular disease in recipients of a steroid sparing protocol has not been reported. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of CVA in transplant recipients receiving a steroid sparing protocol. We retrospectively analyzed 1237 patients who received a kidney alone or a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant. Fifty‐six of 1237 (4.53%) patients had a CVA post‐transplant. All‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the CVA group compared with the non‐CVA group, OR: 3.4 (1.7–7.0), p < 0.001. Factors found to be associated with increased risk of CVA by multivariate analysis were older age, HR: 1.07 (1.04–1.09), p < 0.001; diabetes at the time of transplantation, HR: 2.83 (1.42–5.64), p = 0.003; corticosteroid use pre‐transplant, HR: 3.27 (1.29–8.27), p = 0.013 and recipients of a SPK, HR: 4.03 (1.85–8.79), p < 0.001. This study has identified subgroups of patients who are at increased risk of CVA post‐transplant in patients otherwise receiving a steroid sparing immunosuppression protocol.

Intracranial arterial calcification is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients but does not associate with acute ischemic stroke.

Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) is associated with ischemic stroke in the general population but this relationship has not been examined in hemodialysis patients. We examined the factors associated with IAC and its relationship with acute ischemic stroke in this population. We retrospectively studied 490 head computed tomographic scans from 2225 hemodialysis patients presenting with neurological symptoms at our center (October 2005–May 2009). Intracranial arterial calcification was graded using a validated scoring system. Multivariate regression was used to examine the factors associated with the presence of IAC, its severity, and its ability to predict acute ischemic stroke. Weibulls survival models analyzed the relationship between IAC severity and survival. Ninety‐five percent of patients with ischemic stroke had IAC vs. 83% in the nonstroke group (P=0.02). Intracranial arterial calcification severity increased with age (P<0.001), hemodialysis vintage (P<0.001), serum phosphate (P<0.05), and major comorbidities. In patients with multiple computed tomographic scans during the study period, increased IAC severity at baseline was predictive of acute ischemic stroke (P=0.05) on logistic regression analysis. High‐grade and not low‐grade IAC was associated with worse survival (P=0.008). Intracranial arterial calcification is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients, especially in those with acute ischemic stroke. Its severity is prognostically significant and associated with risk factors for vascular calcification and may confer a greater risk of acute ischemic stroke. The mechanisms underlying the high incidence of ischemic stroke in this patient group require further comprehensive study.

Comparison of Tesio and LifeCath twin permanent hemodialysis catheters: the VyTes randomized trial

Purpose Central venous catheters for maintenance hemodialysis (HD) are designed to attain the required dialysis dose through sustained high blood flow rates (BFR). The authors studied the immediate and long-term performance and complications of two twin-catheter systems, the Tesio catheter (TC) and the LifeCath Twin (LC), to inform clinical practice. Methods This single-center randomized controlled parallel-group trial allocated 80 incident patients (1:1) to receive either a TC (MedComp) or LC (Vygon). Patients were dialyzed to target BFR 450 mL/min and followed up for 12 months. The primary outcome was achievement of target BFR during the first HD session. Secondary outcomes included thrombotic dysfunction, displacement and catheter-related infection. Catheter dysfunction was defined by a BFR ≤ 250 mL/min. Results More LCs reached the primary endpoint (44% vs. 10%, p=0.001) delivering a higher BFR (mean 383±82 vs. 277±79 mL/min, p<0.001). Significant differences in BFR persisted until the fourth dialysis session. Rates of catheter-related bacteremia (0.40 vs. 0.51/1,000 catheter days, p=0.7) and exit site infection were similar between groups (0.24 vs. 0.09/1,000 catheter days, p=0.4). Overall rates of catheter dysfunction were 2.8/1,000 catheter days (95% CI 2.1-3.5), with no differences in thrombolytic lock use although the LC group required more thrombolytic infusions (6 vs. 0, p=0.01). Conclusions The LC can deliver greater BFRs in the first three HD sessions following insertion although this did not translate into differences in performance, dialysis adequacy or complication rates with long-term use. Both catheter types can consistently deliver high BFRs over an extended period of time.

Successful thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke in haemodialysis

Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity in survivors. Early thrombolytic therapy in acute ischaemic stroke has been shown to dramatically improve patient outcomes. Although the age-adjusted incidence of stroke is 5–10 times greater in haemodialysis patients, the use of thrombolysis for this indication in this group of patients has not been described to date. We present a case where alteplase was used successfully for acute ischaemic stroke in a patient established on maintenance haemodialysis in the setting of an international randomized controlled trial and advocate caution with the use of systemic thrombolytics despite the favourable outcome seen with this case.