Bernd Ramsauer

Skin and Plasma Autofluorescence During Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study

Skin autofluorescence (AF) is related to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and is one of the strongest prognostic markers of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether changes in skin AF appear after a single HD session and if they might be related to changes in plasma AF. Skin and plasma AF were measured before and after HD in 35 patients on maintenance HD therapy (nine women and 26 men, median age 68 years, range 33-83). Median dialysis time was 4 h (range 3-5.5). Skin AF was measured noninvasively with an AGE Reader, and plasma AF was measured before and after HD at 460 nm after excitation at 370 nm. The HD patients had on average a 65% higher skin AF value than age-matched healthy persons (P < 0.001). Plasma AF was reduced by 14% (P < 0.001), whereas skin AF was not changed after a single HD treatment. No significant influence of the reduced plasma AF on skin AF levels was found. This suggests that the measurement of skin AF can be performed during the whole dialysis period and is not directly influenced by the changes in plasma AF during HD.

Adverse events in apheresis: An update of the WAA registry data

Apheresis with different procedures and devices are used for a variety of indications that may have different adverse events (AEs). The aim of this study was to clarify the extent and possible reasons of various side effects based on data from a multinational registry. The WAA-apheresis registry data focus on adverse events in a total of 50846 procedures in 7142 patients (42% women). AEs were graded as mild, moderate (need for medication), severe (interruption due to the AE) or death (due to AE). More AEs occurred during the first procedures versus subsequent (8.4 and 5.5%, respectively). AEs were mild in 2.4% (due to access 54%, device 7%, hypotension 15%, tingling 8%), moderate in 3% (tingling 58%, urticaria 15%, hypotension 10%, nausea 3%), and severe in 0.4% of procedures (syncope/hypotension 32%, urticaria 17%, chills/fever 8%, arrhythmia/asystole 4.5%, nausea/vomiting 4%). Hypotension was most common if albumin was used as the replacement fluid, and urticaria when plasma was used. Arrhythmia occurred to similar extents when using plasma or albumin as replacement. In 64% of procedures with bronchospasm, plasma was part of the replacement fluid used. Severe AEs are rare. Although most reactions are mild and moderate, several side effects may be critical for the patient. We present side effects in relation to the procedures and suggest that safety is increased by regular vital sign measurements, cardiac monitoring and by having emergency equipment nearby.

Comparing changes in plasma and skin autofluorescence in low-flux versus high-flux hemodialysis

Background Tissue advanced glycation end products (AGE) are increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially those with cardiovascular complications. Skin autofluorescence (skin-AF) can noninvasively estimate the accumulation of AGE in tissue. The aim was to clarify whether HD using a high-flux (HF) dialyzer favors plasma- or skin-AF removal compared to low-flux (LF) dialysis. Material and methods 28 patients were treated with either an HF-HD or LF-HD but otherwise unchanged conditions in a cross-over design. A glucose containing dialysate was used. Skin-AF was measured noninvasively with an AGE reader before and after HD. Fluorescence (370 nm/465 nm) of plasma (p-AF) was determined as total and nonprotein-bound fractions. Correction for hemoconcentrations were made using the change in serum albumin. Paired and nonpaired statistical analyses were used. Results Skin-AF was unchanged after LF- and HF-dialysis. Total, free, and protein- bound p-AF was reduced after a single LF-HD by 21%, 28%, and 17%, respectively (P<.001). After HF HD total and free p-AF was reduced by 5% and 15%, respectively (P<.001), while protein bound values were unchanged. The LF-HD resulted in a more pronounced reduction of p-AF than did HF HD (P<.001). Serum albumin correlated inversely with p-AF in HF-HD. Conclusions In the dialysis settings used there was no significant change in skin AF after dialysis, with LF or with HF dialysis. Although only limited reduction in plasma fluorescence was observed, this was more pronounced when performing LF dialysis. These data are not in overwhelming support of the use of HF dialysis in the setting used in this study.

Distribution of indications and procedures within the framework of centers participating in the WAA apheresis registry

The WAA apheresis registry was established in 2003 and an increasing number of centers have since then included their experience and data of their procedures. The registry now contains data of more than 74,000 apheresis procedures in more than 10,000 patients. This report shows that the indications for apheresis procedures are changing towards more oncological diagnoses and stem cell collections from patients and donors and less therapeutic apheresis procedures. In centers that continue to register, the total extent of apheresis procedures and patients treated have expanded during the latest years.

HOW CAN WE OPTIMIZE HEMODIALYSIS TO PREVENT FROM AGES

Evaluation of air contamination incidences and in vitro settings and experiences of micro bubblesThe use of citrate-containing dialysate for anticoagulation in hemodialysis (hd). report of clinical experienceK1 (EI0154) AGES IN HEMODIALYSIS: TISSUEAND PLASMAAUTOFLUORESCENCE R. Graaff1, S. Arsov1, L. Trajceska4, P. Dzekova4, G.E. Engels1, M. Koetsier1, W. van Oeveren1, L Lundberg5, S. Assa2, C.F.M. Franssen2, A.J. Smit3, G. Rakhorst1, A. Sikole2, B. Stegmayr5 1Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, 2Internal Medicine, Div. Nephrology and 3Div. Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; 4Department of Nephrology, University Clinic of Nephrology, Skopje, R. Macedonia; 5Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Umea, SwedenObjectives: During HD previous studies have shown that especially micro bubbles of air may pass the air detector. These studies focused to analyse in vitro if the air trap of various producers may ...Artificial Kidney – Uremic Toxins – SYMPOSIUM, 606 Smart and Responsive Biomaterials – SYMPOSIUM, 607 Cardiovascular General 1: Devices – GENERAL SESSION, 608 Ambulatory Blood Processing – SYMPOSIUM, 610 Animal Models for Tissue Engineering – SYMPOSIUM, 610 Cardiovascular General 2: Devices Interaction – GENERAL SESSION, 612 Artificial Muscle for Internal Organ – SYMPOSIUM, 613 Functionalized Biomaterials – SYMPOSIUM, 614 Cardiovascular General 3: Physiology and Pump Control – GENERAL SESSION, 615 Vascular Access in Hemodialysis – SYMPOSIUM, 617 Polymeric Membranes/Blood Interfaces – SYMPOSIUM, 618 Nano and Micro Technology: Driving the Future of Organ Recovery & Development – SYMPOSIUM, 619 Roadbumps for Tissue-Engineering Artificial Organs – SYMPOSIUM, 621 Artificial Liver GENERAL SESSION, 621 Tissue Engineering Approaches – SYMPOSIUM, 622 Cardiovascular General 4: Cardiopulmonary – GENERAL SESSION, 624 Artificial Kidney Dialysis – SYMPOSIUM, 625 Tissue Engineering of Skin: Creating a New Bio-Artificial Organ for Clinical Application – SYMPOSIUM, 627 Cardiovascular General 5: Device & Biology – GENERAL SESSION, 628 Citrate Anticoagulation A Future Option for Extracorporeal Blood Purification – SYMPOSIUM, 629 Latest Advances in Preventive and Regenerative Medicine Technologies – SYMPOSIUM, 630 Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump as a Cardiac Assist Device – SYMPOSIUM, 631 Artificial Organ Transplantation – SYMPOSIUM, 632 New Biomaterials and Scaffolds – SYMPOSIUM, 633 Modelling of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function in Regard to Clinical Applications – SYMPOSIUM, 634 Artificial Kidney Dialysis Techniques – SYMPOSIUM, 635 Natural Based Polymeric Biomaterials and Composites for Regenerative Medicine – SYMPOSIUM, 637 Partial Cardiac Support in Shortand Long-Term Application – SYMPOSIUM, 638 Artificial Organs – Practical Applications – GENERAL SESSION, 639 Non-Destructive Techniques to Monitor 3D In Vitro Tissue Engineering Constructs – SYMPOSIUM, 640 Stent and Vascular Prosthesis – GENERAL SESSION, 641 Dialysis Techniques Access – GENERAL SESSION, 643 Scaffolds for TE Via Electrospinning-Structures and Biomaterials – SYMPOSIUM, 644 Drug Delivery Systems – GENERAL SESSION, 646 “Approval Procedures for Medical Devices: Facts, Figures and Basic Rules Seen from Different Continental Perspectives – Artificial Organs and Society: Recent Trends in Japan”, 647K1 (EI0154) AGES IN HEMODIALYSIS: TISSUEAND PLASMAAUTOFLUORESCENCE R. Graaff1, S. Arsov1, L. Trajceska4, P. Dzekova4, G.E. Engels1, M. Koetsier1, W. van Oeveren1, L Lundberg5, S. Assa2, C.F.M. Franssen2, A.J. Smit3, G. Rakhorst1, A. Sikole2, B. Stegmayr5 1Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, 2Internal Medicine, Div. Nephrology and 3Div. Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; 4Department of Nephrology, University Clinic of Nephrology, Skopje, R. Macedonia; 5Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Umeå, SwedenDoes the advanced glycation end-products (ages) food intake influence mortality in dialysis patients?

Skin Autofluorescence, a Measure of Cumulative Metabolic Stress and Advanced Glycation End Products, Decreases During the Summer in Dialysis Patients

Tissue advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a measure of cumulative metabolic and oxidative stress and cytokine-driven inflammatory reactions. AGEs are thought to contribute to the cardiovascular complications of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is related to the tissue accumulation of AGEs and rises with age. SAF is one of the strongest prognostic markers of mortality in these patients. The content of AGEs is high in barbecue food. Due to the location in northern Sweden, there is a short intense barbecue season between June and August. The aim of this study was to investigate if seasonal variations in SAF exist in HD patients, especially during the barbecue season. SAF was measured noninvasively with an AGE Reader in 34 HD-patients (15 of those with diabetes mellitus, DM). Each time the median of three measures were used. Skin-AF was measured before and after each one HD at the end of February and May in 31 patients (22 men/9 women); the end of May and August in 28 (20 m/8 w); the end of August and March in 25 (19 m/6 w). Paired statistical analyses were performed during all four periods (n = 23, 17 m/6 w); as was HbA1c of those with DM. There was at a median 5.6% increase in skin-AF during the winter period (February-May, P = 0.004) and a 10.6% decrease in the skin-AF during the summer (May-August, P < 0.001). HbA1c in the DM rose during the summer (P = 0.013). In conclusion, skin-AF decreased significantly during the summer. Future studies should look for favorable factors that prevent skin-AF and subsequently cardiovascular diseases.

Skin and Plasma Autofluorescence During Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study: Thoughts and Progress

Skin autofluorescence (AF) is related to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and is one of the strongest prognostic markers of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether changes in skin AF appear after a single HD session and if they might be related to changes in plasma AF. Skin and plasma AF were measured before and after HD in 35 patients on maintenance HD therapy (nine women and 26 men, median age 68 years, range 33-83). Median dialysis time was 4 h (range 3-5.5). Skin AF was measured noninvasively with an AGE Reader, and plasma AF was measured before and after HD at 460 nm after excitation at 370 nm. The HD patients had on average a 65% higher skin AF value than age-matched healthy persons (P < 0.001). Plasma AF was reduced by 14% (P < 0.001), whereas skin AF was not changed after a single HD treatment. No significant influence of the reduced plasma AF on skin AF levels was found. This suggests that the measurement of skin AF can be performed during the whole dialysis period and is not directly influenced by the changes in plasma AF during HD.

Skin and Plasma Autofluorescence During Hemodialysis

Skin autofluorescence (AF) is related to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and is one of the strongest prognostic markers of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether changes in skin AF appear after a single HD session and if they might be related to changes in plasma AF. Skin and plasma AF were measured before and after HD in 35 patients on maintenance HD therapy (nine women and 26 men, median age 68 years, range 33-83). Median dialysis time was 4 h (range 3-5.5). Skin AF was measured noninvasively with an AGE Reader, and plasma AF was measured before and after HD at 460 nm after excitation at 370 nm. The HD patients had on average a 65% higher skin AF value than age-matched healthy persons (P < 0.001). Plasma AF was reduced by 14% (P < 0.001), whereas skin AF was not changed after a single HD treatment. No significant influence of the reduced plasma AF on skin AF levels was found. This suggests that the measurement of skin AF can be performed during the whole dialysis period and is not directly influenced by the changes in plasma AF during HD.