Min Ji Shin

Decreased Renal Function Is an Independent Predictor of Severity of Coronary Artery Disease: An Application of Gensini Score

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Although many studies have shown a higher prevalence of CAD among these patients, the association between the spectrum of renal dysfunction and severity of CAD remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the association between renal function and the severity of CAD. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,192 patients who underwent elective coronary angiography (CAG). The severity of CAD was evaluated by Gensini score according to the degree of luminal narrowing and location(s) of obstruction in the involved main coronary artery. In all patients, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was independently associated with Gensini score (β=-0.27, P < 0.001) in addition to diabetes mellitus (β=0.07, P = 0.02), hypertension (β=0.12, P < 0.001), low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (β=0.08, P = 0.003), and hemoglobin (β=-0.07, P = 0.03) after controlling for other confounding factors. The result of this study demonstrates that decreased renal function is associated not only with the prevalence, but also the severity, of CAD.

Use of Multifrequency Bioimpedance Analysis in Male Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Who Are Undergoing Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodiafiltration

Introduction Fluid overload is a well-known predictor of mortality in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (MF-BIA) is a promising tool for quantifying volume status. However, few studies have analyzed the effect of MF-BIA-defined volume status on the mortality of critically ill patients with AKI. This retrospective medical research study aimed to investigate this issue. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with AKI who underwent continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) from Jan. 2013 to Feb. 2014. Female patients were excluded to control for sex-based differences. Volume status was measured using MF-BIA (Inbody S20, Seoul, Korea) at the time of CVVHDF initiation, and volume parameters were adjusted with height squared (H2). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to test independent factors for prediction of in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 208 male patients were included in this study. The mean age was 65.19±12.90 years. During the mean ICU stay of 18.29±27.48 days, 40.4% of the patients died. The in-hospital mortality rate increased with increasing total body water (TBW)/H2 quartile. In the multivariable analyses, increased TBW/H2 (OR 1.312(1.009-1.705), p=0.043) and having lower serum albumin (OR 0.564(0.346-0.919, p=0.022) were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality. When the intracellular water (ICW)/H2 or extracellular water (ECW)/H2 was adjusted instead of the TBW/H2, only excess ICW/H2 was independently associated with increased mortality (OR 1.561(1.012-2.408, p=0.044). Conclusions MF-BIA-defined excess TBW/H2 and ICW/H2 are independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality in male patients with AKI undergoing CVVHDF.

High serum and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels are independent predictors of renal progression in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy

Background/Aims Tubulointerstitial injury plays an important role in the progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is among the most sensitive tubular biomarkers. We investigated whether serum or urine NGAL predicts prognosis in patients with IgAN. Methods The present study enrolled patients with biopsy-proven IgAN from January 2005 to December 2010, whose serum and urine samples at the time of kidney biopsy were preserved by freezing. We retrospectively reviewed patient clinical data and followed patients until October 2012. Serum and urine NGAL levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Renal progression was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate decline by > 50% or progression to end-stage renal disease. Results There were 121 patients enrolled in this study. During the median follow-up period of 41.49 months, renal progression was found in nine patients (7.4%). Serum or urine NGAL alone could not predict renal progression; however, when serum and urine NGAL levels were combined, belonging to the high NGAL group independently predicted renal progression (hazard ratio [HR], 5.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42 to 21.73; p = 0.014), along with tubular damage graded according to the Oxford classification as T2 (HR, 8.79; 95% CI, 2.01 to 38.51; p = 0.004). In addition, a Kaplan-Meier curve of renal survival showed significantly higher renal progression in patients in the high NGAL group (log rank, p = 0.004). Conclusions In patients with IgAN, high serum and urine NGAL levels at the time of kidney biopsy predict renal progression.

Significance of residual renal function for phosphate control in chronic hemodialysis patients

Background The aim of this study was to compare mineral metabolism between anuric and nonanuric chronic hemodialysis patients, and determine the differences in phosphate control between the two groups. Methods A total of 77 chronic hemodialysis patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from January 2012 to February 2012. Patient demographics, laboratory findings, medication histories, and vascular calcification scores were collected. We divided the patients into anuric and nonanuric groups according to the residual renal function and then compared their clinical features. Multivariate binary regression analysis was used in each group to determine the independent factors related to phosphate control. Results The mean patient age was 59.27±13.95 years, and 57.1% of patients were anuric. In anuric patients, dialysis vintage was significantly longer, but the mean Kt/V was not different between groups. Serum phosphate, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23, and Ca/P products were significantly higher, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were significantly lower in the anuric patients, although the intact parathyroid hormone and 25(OH)D levels were not different. In anuric patients, LnFGF-23 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.894, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.294–6.474, P=0.010] was an independent factor predictive of phosphate control. However, in the nonanuric patients, glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.409, 95% CI 0.169–0.989, P=0.047) and blood urea nitrogen (HR 1.090, 95% CI 1.014–1.172, P=0.019) were independent factors predictive of phosphate control. Conclusion In chronic hemodialysis patients, preservation of residual renal function is a significant determinant of phosphate control, and the factors associated with phosphate control is different depending on the residual renal function status. In the anuric patients, FGF-23 is most significantly associated with phosphate control; however, glomerular filtration rate and blood urea nitrogen are more important than FGF-23 in the nonanuric HD patients.

Pyeloduodenal Fistula Successfully Treated By Endoscopic Ligation without Surgical Nephrectomy: Case Report

A 74-yr-old woman presented with fever and abdominal discomfort. She was in a septic condition caused by urinary tract infection. Her computed tomogram of the abdomen revealed features of hydronephrosis with ureteral stones in both kidneys. During percutaneous nephrostomies, right pyeloduodenal fistula (PDF) was diagnosed. Elective surgery was originally planned but the patient was in a poor condition to undergo surgery. Instead, 2 times endoscopic clipping and ligation by endoloop were applied with parenteral antibiotics for the fistula lesion. On admission day 30, she was discharged from the hospital after confirmation of no more contrast leakage on fistulography. We reviewed the literature and discuss the etiologies, clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment of PDF.

APOLIPOPROTEIN B/A1 IS INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH CAROTID INTIMAL-MEDIAL THICKNESS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS.

Serum apolipoprotein B/A1 (apo B/A1) ratio has been known for strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Measuring carotid artery intimal-medial thickness (CIMT) is non-invasive modality used to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis and to predict future cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between apo B/A1 and CIMT in chronic kidney disease (CKD).We retrospectively reviewed the 293 patients who had visited health promotion center in a single community. The patients were divided into 2 group which are CKD group (n=99, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 15-59 mL/min) and non-CKD group (n=194, eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min). Age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM)/hypertension, smoking status, eGFR, body mass index, and various biochemical blood examinations (serum LDL/HDL cholesterol, serum homocystein, and serum apo B/A1 ratio) were evaluated in each patient. CIMT was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to investigate which factors are associated with CIMT in each of 2 groups. In CKD group, age (β=0.163, p=0.024), presence of hypertension (β=0.208, p=0.006), and presence of DM (β=0.236, p=0.002) were independently associated with CIMT adjustment for other confounding factors. However, in CKD group, serum apo B/A1 (β=0.572, p In conclusion, this study showed serum apo B/A1 ratio was independently associated with CIMT only in CKD group, not in non-CKD group. Because CIMT is a strong predictor of CVD, the result of this study demonstrates serum apo B/A1 ratio could be included in cardiovascular risk stratification in CKD patients