Cristovao F. Vieira

Does catheter insertion by nephrologists improve peritoneal dialysis utilization? A multicenter analysis.

In contrast to hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains an underutilized form of renal replacement therapy in the United States. Although a variety of factors have been deemed responsible, timely insertion of a PD catheter may also be a contributory factor. We conducted a multicenter analysis to examine whether the establishment of a program for PD catheter insertion by nephrologists has a positive impact on the growth in the number of patients using PD. Data for catheter insertion performed by nephrologists were collected from three centers. Any change in the prevalent PD population at each respective center was compared to the number of PD patients during the period having the traditional surgical approach. Nephrologists at the three centers used the peritoneoscopic technique and performed catheter insertion under local anesthesia. In center 1, the PD population remained stable at between 38 and 45 patients (approximately 16% of the total end‐stage renal disease [ESRD] population) from 1993 to 2001. Nephrologists initiated a program for PD catheter insertion in 2001. The number of PD patients has increased to 101 (32% of the ESRD population). In center 2, the PD population remained stable at between 70 and 78 patients (approximately 17%) between 1988 and 1990. Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists began in 1991. The number of PD patients has increased to 125 (22%). In center 3, the PD population remained at 20–30 patients (approximately 18%) between 1988 and 1991. Catheter placement by nephrologists was initiated in 1991. The number of PD patients increased to 97 (27%). Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists was suspended in 2001. The number of PD patients has gradually declined to 25 (6%). This study suggests that catheter insertion by the nephrologist can have a positive impact on the utilization of PD.

Developing a comprehensive diagnostic and interventional nephrology program at an academic center

Procedure-related delays in the treatment of patients with renal disease can be minimized and nephrology care can be delivered more efficiently by a nephrologist trained in nephrology-related procedures. Referrals to a radiologist for renal ultrasound and biopsy, to a surgeon for dialysis access placement, and to an interventional radiologist for dialysis catheter placement and vascular access procedures are time consuming and inconvenient to patients with renal disease. Moreover, such an approach may result in delays in the availability of critical diagnostic information and a break in the continuity of care. In an effort to optimize the care of nephrology patients, we developed a diagnostic and interventional nephrology (DIN) program that effectively deals with nephrology-related procedures in a timely manner. At present, some of the commonly performed nephrology-related procedures at our center include diagnostic ultrasonography, ultrasound-guided renal biopsy, peritoneal dialysis access procedures, permanent tunneled hemodialysis catheter placement, and endovascular procedures for arteriovenous dialysis access dysfunction. To date, we have performed 893 procedures during a period of 2 years. This article describes our approach and the tools required to develop a DIN program at an academic medical center.

American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology Section Editor: Stephen Ash: Does Catheter Insertion by Nephrologists Improve Peritoneal Dialysis Utilization? A Multicenter Analysis

In contrast to hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains an underutilized form of renal replacement therapy in the United States. Although a variety of factors have been deemed responsible, timely insertion of a PD catheter may also be a contributory factor. We conducted a multicenter analysis to examine whether the establishment of a program for PD catheter insertion by nephrologists has a positive impact on the growth in the number of patients using PD. Data for catheter insertion performed by nephrologists were collected from three centers. Any change in the prevalent PD population at each respective center was compared to the number of PD patients during the period having the traditional surgical approach. Nephrologists at the three centers used the peritoneoscopic technique and performed catheter insertion under local anesthesia. In center 1, the PD population remained stable at between 38 and 45 patients (approximately 16% of the total end‐stage renal disease [ESRD] population) from 1993 to 2001. Nephrologists initiated a program for PD catheter insertion in 2001. The number of PD patients has increased to 101 (32% of the ESRD population). In center 2, the PD population remained stable at between 70 and 78 patients (approximately 17%) between 1988 and 1990. Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists began in 1991. The number of PD patients has increased to 125 (22%). In center 3, the PD population remained at 20–30 patients (approximately 18%) between 1988 and 1991. Catheter placement by nephrologists was initiated in 1991. The number of PD patients increased to 97 (27%). Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists was suspended in 2001. The number of PD patients has gradually declined to 25 (6%). This study suggests that catheter insertion by the nephrologist can have a positive impact on the utilization of PD.

Modification of the peritoneoscopic technique of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion: experience of an interventional nephrology program.

Bowel perforation is a well‐recognized complication of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion and is associated with increased morbidity and cost of medical care. In this article we describe our 2‐year experience (August 2001–October 2003) with a modified peritoneoscopic technique of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion to minimize the incidence of bowel perforation. Seventy patients underwent 82 consecutive peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions using the innovative technique. The modified technique is very similar to the traditional peritoneoscopic procedure except for the following differences. To gain access to the peritoneal cavity, a Veress insufflation needle (Ethicon Endo‐Surgery Inc., Cincinnati, OH) is utilized instead of the trocar. In contrast to the sharp tip of the trocar, the Veress needle has a blunt, self‐retracting end. In addition, the Veress needle is only 14 gauge as opposed to the 2.2 mm diameter of the trocar. Upon introduction of the Veress needle into the abdominal cavity, two “pops” are discerned similar to the trocar. After introduction, 400–500 cc of air are infused and the needle is removed. The infusion of air creates a space between the peritoneal surface of the anterior abdominal wall and the bowel loops. At this point, the cannula with trocar is inserted into the space created. The rest of the steps of the procedure are the same as the traditional peritoneoscopic technique. Utilizing the innovative technique, all 82 catheter insertions were performed successfully without a single bowel perforation. No other complications except for catheter migration (n = 2) were noted. The extra cost of the needle (

Metabolic acidosis with extreme elevation of anion gap: Case report and literature review

35) should be viewed in the context of the costs associated with management of a bowel perforation. Large‐scale studies are needed to confirm the superiority of this innovative technique over the traditional peritoneoscopic insertion found in our case series. In the interim, however, the increased morbidity and cost associated with bowel perforation calls for logical measures to be taken to avoid this dreaded complication.

American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology: Modification of the Peritoneoscopic Technique of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion: Experience of an Interventional Nephrology Program

A patient with severe metabolic acidosis and an extremely elevated (57 mEq/L) serum anion gap (AG) is described, and the multiple factors that produced the patients complex abnormalities are discussed in detail. These include renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, marked hyperphosphatemia, hemoconcentration, and an unidentified organic metabolic acidosis. A review of the literature indicates that the common thread observed in almost each instance of profoundly elevated AG values is a multifactorial pathogenesis that usually includes renal insufficiency, associated with a proven or likely cause of organic metabolic acidosis, or with exogenous phosphate intoxication.

Salvage of Problematic Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters

Bowel perforation is a well‐recognized complication of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion and is associated with increased morbidity and cost of medical care. In this article we describe our 2‐year experience (August 2001–October 2003) with a modified peritoneoscopic technique of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion to minimize the incidence of bowel perforation. Seventy patients underwent 82 consecutive peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions using the innovative technique. The modified technique is very similar to the traditional peritoneoscopic procedure except for the following differences. To gain access to the peritoneal cavity, a Veress insufflation needle (Ethicon Endo‐Surgery Inc., Cincinnati, OH) is utilized instead of the trocar. In contrast to the sharp tip of the trocar, the Veress needle has a blunt, self‐retracting end. In addition, the Veress needle is only 14 gauge as opposed to the 2.2 mm diameter of the trocar. Upon introduction of the Veress needle into the abdominal cavity, two “pops” are discerned similar to the trocar. After introduction, 400–500 cc of air are infused and the needle is removed. The infusion of air creates a space between the peritoneal surface of the anterior abdominal wall and the bowel loops. At this point, the cannula with trocar is inserted into the space created. The rest of the steps of the procedure are the same as the traditional peritoneoscopic technique. Utilizing the innovative technique, all 82 catheter insertions were performed successfully without a single bowel perforation. No other complications except for catheter migration (n = 2) were noted. The extra cost of the needle (

American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology Section Editor: Stephen Ash: Does Catheter Insertion by Nephrologists Improve Peritoneal Dialysis Utilization? A Multicenter Analysis: NEPHROLOGISTS AND PD CATHETER INSERTION

35) should be viewed in the context of the costs associated with management of a bowel perforation. Large‐scale studies are needed to confirm the superiority of this innovative technique over the traditional peritoneoscopic insertion found in our case series. In the interim, however, the increased morbidity and cost associated with bowel perforation calls for logical measures to be taken to avoid this dreaded complication.

American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology: Modification of the Peritoneoscopic Technique of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion: Experience of an Interventional Nephrology Program: PD CATHETER INSERTION BY A MODIFIED TECHNIQUE

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a markedly underutilized modality for permanent renal replacement therapy in the United States owing to a low rate of patient referral and high rate of patient dropout or transfer to hemodialysis. One cause for patient loss from PD is problematic PD catheters that often are removed rather than being subjected to simple surgical salvage procedures. We report three patients with problematic catheters and our approach to their management. The first patient developed erosion of the skin overlying the portion of the catheter between the deep and superficial cuffs after 6 months of PD. The second patient developed extrusion of the superficial cuff after 4 years of PD. The third patient demonstrated a localized abscess at the incision site for catheter insertion after 3 years of PD. Other than a mild superficial exit site infection and localized abscess in the second and third patient, respectively, there were no associated infections of the catheter tunnel and cuff or of the peritoneal cavity as determined by either clinical examination, ultrasound evidence of fluid collection, or cultures and white blood cell counts. All three cases were managed successfully by interventional nephrology on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia without either catheter removal or placement of a new PD catheter. It was possible to continue uninterrupted PD in the first and third patients, while the second patient had temporary hemodialysis to allow for complete healing of the surgical wound. We conclude that in selected cases simple interventions can salvage problematic PD catheters and maintain patients on PD.

Peritoneoscopic Placement of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter and Bowel Perforation: Experience of an Interventional Nephrology Program

In contrast to hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains an underutilized form of renal replacement therapy in the United States. Although a variety of factors have been deemed responsible, timely insertion of a PD catheter may also be a contributory factor. We conducted a multicenter analysis to examine whether the establishment of a program for PD catheter insertion by nephrologists has a positive impact on the growth in the number of patients using PD. Data for catheter insertion performed by nephrologists were collected from three centers. Any change in the prevalent PD population at each respective center was compared to the number of PD patients during the period having the traditional surgical approach. Nephrologists at the three centers used the peritoneoscopic technique and performed catheter insertion under local anesthesia. In center 1, the PD population remained stable at between 38 and 45 patients (approximately 16% of the total end‐stage renal disease [ESRD] population) from 1993 to 2001. Nephrologists initiated a program for PD catheter insertion in 2001. The number of PD patients has increased to 101 (32% of the ESRD population). In center 2, the PD population remained stable at between 70 and 78 patients (approximately 17%) between 1988 and 1990. Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists began in 1991. The number of PD patients has increased to 125 (22%). In center 3, the PD population remained at 20–30 patients (approximately 18%) between 1988 and 1991. Catheter placement by nephrologists was initiated in 1991. The number of PD patients increased to 97 (27%). Catheter insertion by interventional nephrologists was suspended in 2001. The number of PD patients has gradually declined to 25 (6%). This study suggests that catheter insertion by the nephrologist can have a positive impact on the utilization of PD.