Marcos Hoette

Calcium acetate versus calcium carbonate in the control of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients

CONTEXT Hyperphosphatemia has an important role in the development of bone and mineral abnormalities in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). OBJECTIVE To compare the phosphorus binding power and the hypercalcemic effect of calcium acetate and calcium carbonate in hemodialysis patients. TYPE OF STUDY Crossover, randomized, double-blind study. PLACE A private hospital dialysis center. PARTICIPANTS Fifty-two patients who were undergoing regular hemodialysis three times a week ([Ca++] dialysate = 3.5 mEq/L). PROCEDURES Half of the patients were started on 5.6 g/day of calcium acetate and, after a 2 week washout period, received 6.2 g/day of calcium carbonate. The other half followed an inverse protocol. MAIN MEASUREMENTS Clinical interviews were conducted 3 times a week to monitor for side effects. Determinations of serum urea, calcium, phosphorus, hematocrit, Kt/V and blood gas analysis were obtained before and after each treatment. RESULTS Twenty-three patients completed the study. A significant increase in calcium plasma levels was only observed after treatment with calcium carbonate [9.34 mg/dl (SD 0.91) vs. 9.91 mg/dl (SD 0.79), P < 0.01]. The drop in phosphorus levels was substantial and significant for both salts [5.64 mg/dl (SD 1.54) vs. 4.60 mg/dl (SD 1.32), P < 0.01 and 5.89 mg/dl (SD 1.71) vs. 4.56 mg/dl (SD 1.57), P < 0.01, for calcium acetate and calcium carbonate respectively]. The percentage reduction in serum phosphorus (at the end of the study) per milliequivalent of salt administered per day tended to be higher with calcium acetate but statistical significance was not found. CONCLUSION Calcium acetate can be a good alternative to calcium carbonate in the handling of hyperphosphatemia in ESRD patients. When calcium acetate is used, control of hyperphosphatemia can be achieved with a lower administration of calcium, perhaps with a lower risk of hypercalcemia.

Ocorrência de hepatites não-anão-B em unidade de hemodiálise

Through monthly monitorization of alanine amino transferase (ALT) in hemodialysis patients and serological tests for exclusion of HA V (hepatitis A virus), HBV(hepatitis B virus), CMV (cytomegalovirus) and EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) infections, it was possible to identify 11 cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis among 111 individuals evaluated in a period of 12 months and followed-up for 2 years. Three patterns of ALT activity were observed: an elevation in monophasic peak in 2 patients, biphasic andpolyphasic in 6 patients and elevation in plateau in three others. Patients with the monophasic pattern showed the most elevated levels of ALT. Five patients showed biochemical normalization within approximately 4.8 months after the beginning of acute elevation and 6 evolved with chronic intermittent elevation during the period of study. Hepatitis non-A, non-B was predominantly asymptomatic and anicteric, always preceeded by blood tranfusions and with higher incidence in the 6 first months after hemodialysis.

Bacteremias por bacilos gram-negativos

Gram-negative infection is a serious complication and a great deal of attention has been paid to it lately. The aa. present 31 cases of gram-negative infection. The most common organisms were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella-Aerobacter (58% of the cases) followed by the Pseudomonas group. Males were more affected than females. In 61,3% of the cases the urinary tract was the site of infection. Previous treatment occurred in several patients the most important being antibioties, steroids and cytostaties. The most frequent predisposing diseases were diabetes mellitus and malignancy. Urinary tract manipulation (with previous infection or wihout it), gastrointestinal surgery and urinary or biliary obstruetion were main precipitants. Chilis, fever and low blood pressure were the most frequent clinicai manif estations. Shock ocurred in 58% of the cases, which is a very high incidence when compared with other statisties. Acute renal insuficiency, super-infection and metastatie lung infection also ocurred. General therapeutic consideralions as well as antibiotic administration schedules are suggested by the authors. Mortality due to simple bacteremia was 30,7%, the association of bacteremia and shock raised this figure to 72,2%. Pseudomonas infection gave 100% mortality.