Mohamed A. El-Shahawy

Peritoneoscopic versus surgical placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters: A prospective randomized study on outcome

The most commonly used technique for insertion of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters is open surgical approach by minilaparotomy. Percutaneous implantation via the peritoneoscopic technique is expanding. Studies have suggested that PD catheters placed peritoneoscopically have longer survival rate than surgically placed ones. However, these studies were not randomized, where the surgical group had more patients who were obese or had prior abdominal surgery, and therefore, the selection of patients may have biased the results. We conducted a prospective randomized study in which patients underwent PD catheter placement by either the surgical or the peritoneoscopic technique. In the period from October 1992 through October 1995, 148 double-cuff, curled-end, swan-neck PD catheters were placed in 148 patients. The outcome of the 76 patients in whom the PD catheters were placed peritoneoscopically was compared with that of the 72 patients in whom the catheters were placed surgically. Early peritonitis episodes (within 2 weeks of catheter placement) occurred in 9 of 72 patients (12.5%) in the surgical group, versus 2 of 76 patients (2.6%) in the peritoneoscopy group (P = 0.02). This higher rate of infection was most likely related to a higher exit site leak in the surgical group (11.1%) as compared with the peritoneoscopy group (1.3%). Moreover, peritoneoscopically placed catheters were found to have better survival (77.5% at 12 months, 63% at 24 months, and 51.3% at 36 months) than those placed surgically (62.5% at 12 months, 41.5% at 24 months, and 36% at 36 months) with P = 0.02, 0.01, and 0.04, respectively. We conclude that peritoneoscopically placed PD catheters have a longer survival rate than surgically placed ones. Furthermore, the rate of exit site leak and early infection is lower in the peritoneoscopic method.

Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate in Hyperkalemia

BACKGROUND Hyperkalemia (serum potassium level, >5.0 mmol per liter) is associated with increased mortality among patients with heart failure, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes. We investigated whether sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (ZS-9), a novel selective cation exchanger, could lower serum potassium levels in patients with hyperkalemia. METHODS In this multicenter, two-stage, double-blind, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 753 patients with hyperkalemia to receive either ZS-9 (at a dose of 1.25 g, 2.5 g, 5 g, or 10 g) or placebo three times daily for 48 hours. Patients with normokalemia (serum potassium level, 3.5 to 4.9 mmol per liter) at 48 hours were randomly assigned to receive either ZS-9 or placebo once daily on days 3 to 14 (maintenance phase). The primary end point was the exponential rate of change in the mean serum potassium level at 48 hours. RESULTS At 48 hours, the mean serum potassium level had decreased from 5.3 mmol per liter at baseline to 4.9 mmol per liter in the group of patients who received 2.5 g of ZS-9, 4.8 mmol per liter in the 5-g group, and 4.6 mmol per liter in the 10-g group, for mean reductions of 0.5, 0.5, and 0.7 mmol per liter, respectively (P<0.001 for all comparisons) and to 5.1 mmol per liter in the 1.25-g group and the placebo group (mean reduction, 0.3 mmol per liter). In patients who received 5 g of ZS-9 and those who received 10 g of ZS-9, serum potassium levels were maintained at 4.7 mmol per liter and 4.5 mmol per liter, respectively, during the maintenance phase, as compared with a level of more than 5.0 mmol per liter in the placebo group (P<0.01 for all comparisons). Rates of adverse events were similar in the ZS-9 group and the placebo group (12.9% and 10.8%, respectively, in the initial phase; 25.1% and 24.5%, respectively, in the maintenance phase). Diarrhea was the most common complication in the two study groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients with hyperkalemia who received ZS-9, as compared with those who received placebo, had a significant reduction in potassium levels at 48 hours, with normokalemia maintained during 12 days of maintenance therapy. (Funded by ZS Pharma; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01737697.).

Carotid-jugular arteriovenous fistula : a complication of temporary hemodialysis catheter

The internal jugular vein is increasingly being used as a temporary route for dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter placement. It is thought to be safer than the subclavian or femoral vein sites. It is important, however, to point out that this route can also be associated with serious complications. Herein we describe a case of right common carotid artery fistula as a complication of the insertion of a polyurethane double-lumen hemodialysis catheter into the right internal jugular vein. A review of the literature on traumatic complications associated with central venous cannulation is also presented.

Glomerulonephritis and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Two cases of glomerulonephritis associated with non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) are described. The first patient presented with the nephrotic syndrome and normal renal function, whereas the second suffered from recurrent acute renal failure together with a unique pattern of IgM deposition within glomerular capillaries. Our review of the literature suggests that this association, although rare, has been documented in a sufficient number of cases to show that it is more than coincidental. Whereas the most common renal lesion associated with Hodgkins disease is minimal change disease, more advanced glomerular changes are found in the patients with NHL. This is reflected in the higher incidence of renal failure in the latter patients. Treatment of the lymphomas has been shown to result in improvement or even cure of the renal disease, although long-term follow-up is rarely available in the reported cases.

Unilateral breast enlargement secondary to hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula and subclavian vein occlusion

Placement of permanent arteriovenous accesses or of temporary subclavian dual-lumen catheters for hemodialysis can be associated with significant edema of the ipsilateral arm due to venous occlusion. We report an unusual case of marked breast enlargement secondary to hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula, and subclavian vein occlusion proximal to the junction of the mammary vein. To our knowledge, this is a rare complication of hemodialysis accesses. Breast enlargement associated with hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae, especially in the presence of a history of subclavian vein catheterization, may be indicative of ipsilateral subclavian vein stenosis/thrombosis.

Disparate Prognosis of Thrombotic Microangiopathy in HIV-Infected Patients with and without AIDS

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is more common in HIV-infected individuals than in the normal population. In idiopathic TMA, plasmapheresis with or without prednisone decreases the mortality rate from almost 100 to 10%. Patients with HIV-associated TMA, who do not have AIDS, have a similar favorable outcome when treated with plasmapheresis. However, all 12 patients previously reported with AIDS-associated TMA have died. We report another patient with AIDS-associated TMA, who had a fulminant hospital course and died despite plasmapheresis. None of the reported AIDS-associated TMA patients had evidence of opportunistic infections, sepsis or disseminated malignancies at the time of their death. Since many infections and malignancies can be associated with TMA, it is possible that TMA can be an association of the terminal illness rather than an independent cause of death in AIDS patients. To examine this possibility, we reviewed the charts of all the patients who were hospitalized and died of AIDS at our medical centers from 1987 to 1994. Of the 214 patients reviewed, 15 patients (7%) had evidence of TMA at the time of their death. Seven of the 15 patients (47%) had no direct cause of death other than TMA. The remaining 8 patients had evidence of sepsis and other overwhelming infections. In conclusion, TMA is common in AIDS patients. While HIV-associated TMA has a good prognosis similar to that of idiopathic TMA, AIDS-associated TMA has a grave prognosis. The etiology of the higher mortality in AIDS-associated TMA as compared to HIV-associated TMA remains unclear.

Renal Transplantation in Systemic Lupus erythematosus: A Single-Center Experience with Sixty-Four Cases

The outcome of renal transplantation in 64 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to lupus nephritis is the subject of this report. The patients were transplanted over a 150-month (12.5-year) period (between July 5, 1979, and January 30, 1992). The study population is predominantly made up of young females (mean age, 34.7 +/- 9 years, n = 54, 81.3%). Fifty-one transplants (79.7%) are cadaveric, and 13 (20.3%) are from living-related donors. Fifty-eight patients (90.6%) had primary (first) allografts, and 6 (9.4%) received a second allograft. Posttransplantation immunosuppression consisted of azathioprine and prednisone (AZA group, n = 22, 34.3%) or AZA, prednisone and cyclosporine (CsA group, n = 42, 65.6%). For all 64 patients combined, the 1-year graft and patient survival rates are 68.8 and 86.5%, respectively, whereas 5-year graft and patient survival rates are 60.9 and 85.9%, respectively. Patients whose immunosuppressive regimen was CsA-based had a 1-year graft survival of 71.5 versus 63.6% in the AZA group. However, this 7.9% difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.95). The 5-year graft survival of the CsA-based group was 69.1 versus 45.5% for the AZA group, p < 0.05. One-year patient survival was 77.3% for the AZA group and 92.9% for the CsA group, p < 0.05). The data show that patients with ESRD secondary to lupus nephritis can undergo renal transplantation with satisfactory outcome. Immunosuppression based upon CsA improves first-year patient and allograft survival by 15.6 and 7.9%. respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acne : A potential side effect of cyclosporine A therapy

A renal transplant recipient who developed severe acne 6 months after transplantation is described. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine A (CsA), azathioprine and prednisone. Tapering the prednisone dose to as low as 5 mg/day, in addition to topical tetracycline, Retin-A cream, and systemic antimicrobial therapy failed to control the progression of the skin lesions. Despite therapy with isotretinoin (Accutane), the lesions continued to progress with nodulocystic transformation (acne conglobata) and isotretinoin was discontinued after 4 months. However, the condition continued to worsen with the development of a systemic illness with daily fever, diaphoresis, and depression. High fever (103 degrees F) with shaking chills prompted hospitalization. Withdrawal of CsA resulted in rapid and continuous improvement of the skin lesions. After 12 months of follow-up, the lesions significantly resolved except for residual areas of scarring. No episodes of acute allograft rejection occurred. In conclusion, we suggest that CsA therapy may be associated with the development of acne. Nodulocystic transformation (acne conglobata) may occur despite the use of isotretinoin. Finally, withdrawal of CsA may lead to resolution of the skin disease and should, therefore, be considered as a therapeutic option for severe and treatment-resistant cases.

Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis Caused by Alcaligenes xylosoxidans

Despite significant progress to decrease its incidence, peritonitis remains the main source of morbidity and treatment failure in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The majority of cases of peritonitis result from infection with aerobic gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus), or gram-negative organisms. Less common organisms that are also reported include anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria, which collectively account for less than 10% of isolates cultured. We report a case of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, and review the literature on peritonitis caused by Alcaligenes species. Alcaligenes xylosoxidans is a nonfermenting gram-negative rod and opportunistic pathogen that is motile with peritrichous flagella. The clinical features and microbiological data of our case, as well as the other previously reported cases of peritonitis caused by Alcaligenes species show no particular pattern of peritoneal dialysate cell count. However, the rate of recurrence of peritonitis is characteristically high. The cause of such a high rate of recurrence of peritonitis is probably a reflection of the predilection of Alcaligenes species to cause infection in the ‘sicker’ patients, and the almost universal resistance of this species to most antimicrobial agents. We, therefore, recommend that catheter removal be undertaken as early as the identification of the organism is made. Whether patients should be allowed to return to CAPD after recovery is a more difficult question. We suggest that a reevaluation of the patient’s overall status be undertaken, including personal hygiene, exchange technique, presence of diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, and/or other factors that may render the patient more prone to infection with opportunistic pathogens.

Peritoneal Dialysis Complicated by Bipolaris hawaiiensis Peritonitis: Successful Therapy with Catheter Removal and Oral Itraconazol without the Use of Amphotericin-B

Fungi classified in the genera Bipolaris are an uncommon source of infection in human diseases. It is also a rare source of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. All cases of Bipolaris peritonitis reported in the United States have occurred in the southern states. This form of peritonitis appears to have a good prognosis, with cure achieved only after removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter and antifungal therapy. Systemic or intraperitoneal amphotericin-B with or without oral ketoconazole has been used in all previously reported cases. However, the role of antifungal therapy is unclear. We report a case of Bipolaris hawaiiensis peritonitis in a 73-year-old female on continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) for 10 months who presented with a nonfunctioning peritoneal catheter. The catheter had characteristic dark gray particles, each composing a fungal ball within the lumen of the catheter. Microscopic examination confirmed the organism attached to the inner wall of the catheter. The patient achieved cure without using either amphotericin-B or ketoconazole. She was treated with removal of the catheter and a 2-week course of oral itraconazole 100 mg twice daily. A new catheter was placed after 1 month and the patient continued to do well on CCPD 12 months later with no evidence of recurrent infection. We conclude that (1) itraconazole can effect cure following removal of the catheter without using amphotericin-B or ketoconazole; (2) peritoneal dialysis can be safely reinstituted after itraconazole therapy for this uncommon fungal infection, and (3) itraconazole therapy allows for out-patient treatment of B. hawaiiensis peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.