Marta Albalate

Hyperphosphatemia and hyperparathyroidism in incident chronic kidney disease patients.

UNLABELLED Disturbances in bone and mineral metabolism are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Most studies have been performed in hemodialysis and there is less information on non-dialysis patients, on the coexistence of other risk factors and on the achievement of more recent and stringent guidelines. Cross sectional study of analytical mineral and bone parameters in 125 incident patients (creatinine clearance <60 ml/min) in a monographic CKD clinic. Evaluation after one year of follow-up in 69 patients. Progression of CKD was associated with significant increased levels of phosphate, calcium x phosphate and iPTH and decreased calcium and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were unchanged, but lower than recommended. Phosphate correlated negatively with 1,25-dihydroxivitamin D and creatinine clearance, and positively with iPTH. At every stage of CKD, most patients had PTH values outside recommended limits. More than 69% CKD 3 and CKD 4 patients had higher than recommended PTH levels. Above recommended phosphate levels were present in 25% of CKD 4 and 47% of CKD 5 patients. Most of these had associated high LDL-cholesterol. Higher than recommended calcium levels were more prevalent than low calcium and there was a high prevalence (31%) of vascular calcification. One year of intervention improved the percentage of patients with controlled calcium or iPTH, but not phosphate. CONCLUSIONS In incident CKD patients there is a high prevalence of out-of-target mineral and bone analytical parameters. The currently authorized therapeutic arsenal for these patients may not be adequate to deal with the problem.

Comparación de la eficacia de dos modalidades de hemodiafiltración en línea: mixta frente a posdilucional

INTRODUCTION Haemodiafiltration (HDF) with high reinfusion volumes is the most effective technique for clearing uraemic toxins. There are various modalities depending on the location where the replacement volume is administered in the extracorporeal circuit: pre-dilution, mixed or mid-dilution and post-dilution, in which the infusion is carried out pre-dilution, pre- and post-dilution simultaneously and post-dilution, respectively. OBJECTIVE Compare the clearance of small, medium-sized and protein-bound molecules and the convective volume administered in online HDF (OL-HDF) in post-dilution and mixed (pre-post-dilution) infusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD A prospective, randomised, crossover study comparing post-dilution and mixed OL-HDF. Patients (n=8) were randomly assigned to receive 6 sessions in each technique. We conducted 89 sessions, of which 68 were at a scheduled time (ST) and 21 at an effective time (ET). We determined the reduction rate (RR) percentages for various substances and the infusion volumes. The RR study was performed using ET. RESULTS The KT value obtained was greater with post-dilution OL-HDF [68 (8.1) compared to 64.9 (8.8) litres] (P=.009) when patients were dialysed at ST. This difference disappeared when dialysis was performed at ET. The difference between ST and ET was greater in mixed HDF than in post-dilution HDF [10.3 (7.4) compared to 6.5 (3.1) minutes, P=.02]. We found no differences in the RR of the substances analysed. CONCLUSION Mixed OL-HDF is not inferior to post-dilution OL-HDF either in the clearance of small and medium-sized molecules or in the clearance of protein-bound molecules at the same ET.

Risk in Dosing Regimens for 25-OH Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Haemodialysis Patients

Introduction: 25-OH vitamin D (25-OHvitD) insufficiency or deficiency should be treated in haemodialysis (HD) patients, although the 25-OHvitD target, drug or dosing regimens are unclear. Aims: To describe factors associated with 25-OHvitD levels in HD patients and to assess the effect of three dosing regimens to supplement 25-OHvitD (calcifediol) on serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OHvitD and 1,25-OHvitD. Methods: Two hundred and seventeen patients from three HD units were studied. Demographic and biochemical data were collected at baseline. Two different 25-OHvitD assays were used. One hundred and sixty-seven patients were treated with various calcifediol dosing regimens. The same biochemical determinations were repeated after 3 months of treatment. Results: At baseline, 12.9% of patients had 25-OHvitD <10 ng/ml. In multivariate linear regression, the season (lower in winter) and the assay method were determinants of 25-OHvitD concentration. Following calcifediol supplementation, 25-OHvitD, calcium and phosphate increased, while PTH diminished with statistical significance. After treatment, there were positive correlations between 25-OHvitD and Ca (r = 0.28, p < 0.0001) or 1,25-OHvitD (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001) that were not observed in the baseline dataset. High concentrations of post-treatment 25-OHvitD were associated with higher 1,25-OHvitD levels. Calcemia increased more in those treated with concomitant active vitamin D or those having suppressed baseline PTH, while PTH decreased more in those having above-target PTH levels. Conclusions: Standardisation of methods to determine 25-OHvitD blood levels is needed. In HD patients, calcifediol increased 25-OHvitD, calcemia and phosphatemia and lowered PTH. Caution should be exercised with the higher calcifediol dosing regimens, especially in patients with suppressed PTH or on vitamin D receptor activators.

Hemos olvidado lo más importante para prevenir las bacteriemias en pacientes portadores de catéteres para hemodiálisis

Bacteremia associated with tunneled central venous catheters (CVC) is a major complication in hemodialysis patients. Strategies that aim to prevent catheter-related bacteremia (CRB), ranging from the application of topical antibiotics to the use of different catheter-lock solutions, have been studied, but limited interest has been shown about following standardization of aseptic care and maintenance of CVC by experienced staff. This study reports CRB incidence obtained with a strict infection prophylaxis protocol based on universal precautions against infection adopted in our Unit by qualified nursing hemodialysis staff. During a period of 20 months, 32 patients received 42 CVC. There were 2 CRB, with an incidence of 0.24 CRB/1000 days-catheter. This study shows that an optimal catheter-use management reduces the incidence of CRB to excellent rates. The use of a protocol directed to vigorously protect the catheter at the time of usage by specialized teams is critically important and is highly recommended.

Development of Porphyria cutanea tarda in a Hemodialysis Patient after Reactivation of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) are occasionally reported in hemodialysis patients. Recently, hepatitis C virus has been recognized as a precipitating factor of PCT. The activity of the liver disease may be critical for the appearance of PCT. In this regard, liver disease reactivation after treatment with interferon alpha (IFN-α) is a well-known phenomenon. We report the case of a hemodialysis patient who developed PCT coincidentally with reactivation of liver disease, immediately after treatment with IFN-α. Therefore, in the present case, reactivation of hepatitis after IFN-α withdrawal could be the triggering factor. The occurrence of a bout of PCT should be considered as a possible complication at the end of IFN-α therapy, if reactivation of the disease exists.

Evaluation of a polynephron dialysis membrane considering new aspects of biocompatibility.

Purpose The biocompatibility of dialyzers may influence the inflammatory state of hemodialysis patients. This study compares the effect of a high-flux polynephron membrane with other high-flux membranes, helixone and polyamide, on some inflammation biomarkers based on the analysis of circulating mononuclear cells (MC). Methods The study included 47 patients on hemodialysis with helixone and polyamide; 9 formed the control group, without changes in their dialyzers throughout the study, and 38 formed the intervention group, in which their dialyzers were replaced by polynephron. In both groups, blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study before and after hemodialysis session, and at the end of the study 4 months later. In each extraction, biochemical parameters were determined, and MC isolated using Ficoll gradient. Production of reactive oxygen species and the percentage of activated MC (CD14+CD16+) were measured by flow cytometry, and protein levels of heat-shock proteins (Hsp70/Hsp90) studied by Western blot. Results After 1 hemodialysis session with different membranes, no significant differences were observed in the different parameters considered. After 4 months of dialysis with polynephron, a significant reduction in the percentage of CD14+CD16+ and in the β2-microglobulin reduction ratio were found, with respect to helixone and polyamide, without changes in the other parameters analyzed. Conclusions The use of polynephron for 4 months reduces the percentage of CD14+CD16+ compared to helixone and polyamide, suggesting a better profile regarding activation of the inflammatory response. These findings could be explained by a better biocompatibility or an increased reduction of medium-sized toxic molecules.

Concentrated ascitic fluid reinfusion in cirrhotic patients: a simplified method.

A new method for ascites filtration and reinfusion, which uses a single Cuprophan filter and is performed in the dialysis unit, is reported. Thirty-one procedures were performed in 17 patients with cirrhosis and massive ascites. A mean volume of 8.6 L of ascitic fluid was removed; from this volume, 5 L were ultrafiltered and a concentrated ascitic fluid was reinfused (x = 359.8 mL). The whole procedure was completed in a mean time of 248 minutes. No relevant method-related complications were detected. Moreover, no significant changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, plasma and urinary electrolytes, or platelet count were found, even in the case of repeated procedures (two to nine times). The reinfused fluid contained a mean value of albumin of 4.7 g/dL and significant amounts of globulins and complement. The overall cost of the materials used in the procedure (

Universal Sustained Viral Response to the Combination of Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir and Dasabuvir with/without Ribavirin in Patients on Hemodialysis Infected with Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes 1 and 4

49.46) offered competitive advantages with respect to other types of frequently used methods. In conclusion, we present a safe, effective, and time- and cost-saving technique for ascites reinfusion that represents an advantageous alternative to more complicated and expensive methods or to the currently used medical therapy.

Residual Renal Function in Hemodialysis and Inflammation

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among patients on hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with poor prognosis. Treatment with interferon and ribavirin is poorly tolerated, and few data are available on the impact of new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This study was intended to analyze the efficacy and safety of treatment with a combination of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with/without ribavirin in HCV-infected patients on HD from 3 hospitals. Methods: This is a multicentric study. We analyze the clinical course of all patients on HD with HCV infection who had been treated with the combination of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir in 3 hospitals in Madrid, Spain. All patients under treatment had undergone Transient elastography (FibroScan®) and HCV RNA (PCR) and HCV genotype were determined simultaneously. Results: Thirty-five patients aged 53.3 ± 8.9 years (68.6% males) and with genotypes 1 and 4 were treated with the DAA regimen, and 17 were also given ribavirin. The most common etiology was glomerular disease. Sustained viral response was achieved in 100% of patients. Adverse effects were negligible, and no patient had to discontinue treatment. The most significant side effect was anemia, which led to a significant increase in the dose of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Anemia was more marked in patients receiving ribavirin. No patients required transfusions. Conclusion: A combination of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with/without ribavirin for the treatment of HCV in patients on HD is highly effective and causes minimal side effects. This regimen represents a major advance in disease management. A considerable improvement in prognosis seems likely.

Receta para prescribir fósforo durante hemodiálisis

Residual renal function (RRF) has an important effect on uremic toxin clearance, on volume control, on quality of life, and on mortality. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), microinflammation with an increased percentage of CD14+/CD16++ inflammatory monocytes has been reported, even with no clinical evidence of inflammation. No correlation has been established between these and RRF in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Our objective was to assess the relationship between RRF and the inflammatory parameters in HD patients. Cross‐sectional observational study was carried out on 69 adult patients on chronic HD for at least 6 months, from which demographic, analytic and HD‐technique data were collected and the following were measured: (i) RRF with average urea and creatinine clearance ((CCr + CU)/2) in 24‐h urine (if >1 mL/min and diuresis >100 mL/day, RRF was considered); (ii) Inflammation through biochemical parameters (C‐reactive protein, β2 microglobulin, albumin) and monocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood. The average age was 70.9 [40–88] years old; 38 (55.1%) were male; and 25 (36.2%) were diabetic. 43.5% (30/69) presented RRF, with an average of ((CCr + CU)/2): 1.8 (2.6) mL/min and diuresis: 454.5 (569) mL /24 h. Patients with RRF presented lower concentrations of C‐reactive protein (6.2 vs 21.4 mg/L) (P = 0.038) and a lower percentage of non‐classical CD14+/CD16++ monocytes (14.6 vs. 28.3%, P = 0.02). In our study, patients with RRF present lower concentrations of inflammatory parameters, which is another reason why its preservation is an essential objective in HD.