Ewa Wojtaszek

Long-term cholecalciferol administration in hemodialysis patients: a single-center randomized pilot study.

Background Data on the potent pleiotropic extraskeletal effects of vitamin D have renewed interest in its use in selected populations, including patients with chronic kidney disease, but the available data are still insufficient to make recommendations. This study assessed the long-term effect of small cholecalciferol doses on serum vitamin D, parathormone (PTH), and bone mineral density (BMD) in hemodialysis patients. Material/Methods Nineteen patients with serum 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL were randomized into cholecalciferol (2000 IU 3×/week) and no-treatment groups, then observed for 1 year. Patients with hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and receiving vitamin D/calcimimetics were excluded. Serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, PTH, and alkaline phosphatase activity were examined every 2 months and BMD was measured before and after the study. Results We observed normalization of serum 25(OH)D with an increase in medians from 11.3 to 44.9 ng/mL (P=0.02) in the cholecalciferol group and no change in the controls (P<0.001). Simultaneously, median serum 1,25(OH)2D increased from 18.2 to 43.1 pmol/L (P=0.02) in the cholecalciferol group and from 10.6 to 21.2 pmol/L (P=0.02) in controls (P=0.013). The treatment was associated with a small increase in serum calcium, but serum phosphate, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, and BMD remained unchanged in both groups. Conclusions Oral cholecalciferol at a dose of 2000 IU/3×/week is an effective and safe way to treat vitamin D deficiency in hemodialysis patients, leading to a significant increase in serum 1,25(OH)2D. However, it was insufficient to suppress the activity of parathyroid glands or to significantly change BMD.

Peritoneal ultrafiltration in end-stage congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) refractory to pharmacological therapy is a growing medical problem. Renal sodium and water retention remains a key event in the pathogenesis of the disease progression and episodes of severe cardiac decompensation, being also the leading cause of high hospitalization rates and an important risk factor for worsening kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The two conditions: CHF and CKD form a vicious circle, with a tremendous escalation of complications and mortality. In this clinical situation, peritoneal ultrafiltration (PUF) may be a reasonable choice for long-term treatment of selected patients with end-stage CHF, especially for those with contradictions to heart transplantation. Several observational studies have demonstrated its efficacy and safety in this population. Fluid and sodium removal via peritoneal cavity resulted in significant plasma volume reduction, normalization of serum sodium and restoration of diuretic responsiveness, as well as an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class, reduction of hospitalization and readmission rates. The complications are typical for peritoneal dialysis (catheter exit site infections, peritonitis and fluid leaks) but they are much more rare with 1 instead of 4 exchanges per day,and it seems that at least in case of PUF with 1-2 peritoneal exchanges a day, the benefits of the therapy outweigh the risks. However, as the studied groups were small, larger multicenter randomized trials are necessary to develop precise recommendations regarding clinical aspects of PUF in severe CHF and indications for its use.