Nabieh Al-Hilali

Hypercoagulability, a serious problem in patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis, and its correction after kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND Recurrent vascular access thrombosis (VAT) resulting in failure to continue maintenance hemodialysis (HD) therapy is not an uncommon event. The cause of VAT in these circumstances remains uncertain. We describe results of our studies to identify changes in hemostatic balance in patients on maintenance HD therapy that probably contributed to a hypercoagulable state. METHODS We studied 82 patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance HD therapy who underwent HD for 11 to 52 months (39.3 +/- 27.4 months). Forty-nine episodes of VAT occurred in 22 patients; a single episode occurred in 12 patients; and 2 or more episodes, in 10 patients. Blood coagulation studies, including assays of inhibitors and activated protein C (PC) resistance (APCR), were performed using standard techniques. RESULTS Investigations showed the presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) in 5.6%, anticardiolipin antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG) in 3.9% and IgM in 5.3%, APCR in 20.5%, and deficiencies in protein S (PS), PC, and antithrombin III (ATIII) in 32.1%, 24.4%, and 19.2%, respectively. When parameters were compared between patients with and without VAT episodes, LA, PC, PS, and APCR levels were significantly abnormal in those who experienced VAT. Sixteen subjects with hypercoagulable states on HD therapy underwent renal transplantation and were evaluated 9.3 +/- 4.2 months posttransplantation. Deficiencies in PC (P = 0.014), PS (P = 0.001), ATIII (P = 0.017), and APCR (P = 0.0001) were completely corrected in all subjects. CONCLUSION Hypercoagulability is a risk factor for recurrent VAT in HD patients, and renal transplantation successfully corrects these abnormalities.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Acute Hyperlipidemic Pancreatitis: A Case Series

Abstract:  Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used for the treatment of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis (HLP) with variable results. Eight patients with acute HLP were studied and treated with TPE, in addition to dietary fat restriction and lipid lowering agents. TPE lowered plasma levels of amylase (723.63 ± 391.70–189.25 ± 71.26 IU/L, P = 0.002), triglycerides (110.28 ± 146.39–38.47 ± 48.79 mmol/L, P = 0.048) and cholesterol (13.37 ± 7.97–3.84 ± 1.34 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Clinical symptoms improved in all patients with no resultant complications, and follow up of the patients for 12 months revealed no recurrence of pancreatitis. Thus, TPE is effective in lowering amylase, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, improves the acute attack of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, and aids in preventing recurrent attacks.

Does Parathyroid Hormone Affect Erythropoietin Therapy in Dialysis Patients

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) during treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with hyperparathyroidism. Subjects and Methods: A total of 118 patients with stage 5 renal failure on dialysis therapy were selected for this study. Anemia was treated with rHuEPO. Laboratory data for each patient included intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase. Patients with iPTH >32 pmol/l were considered hyperparathyroid. Erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) was expressed as the ratio of weekly rHuEPO dose/Hct level. Results: Of the 118 patients, 83 (70.3%) were on hemodialysis (HD) and 35 (29.7%) were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Sixty-three patients (64.3%) with iPTH >32 pmol/l had Hb <11 g/dl, while 34 (54.8%) with iPTH <32 had Hb >11 g/dl (p = 04). Thirty-three (56%) patients with iPTH >32 pmol/l had hemocrit <33%, while 38 (61.3%) with iPTH <32 had hemocrit <33% (p = 0.4). The median value of weekly rHuEPO dose in HD patients (12,000 units) was significantly higher in comparison with CAPD patients (6,000 units; p < 0.0001). ERI was significantly higher in HD than CAPD patients with iPTH <16 pmol/l (p = 0002) as well as with patients with 16–32 pmol/l (p = 0.012). Conclusions: CAPD patients showed a reduced requirement for rHuEPO and better control of anemia compared with HD patients. ERI was also lower in CAPD than in HD patients. Hyperparathyroidism is a parameter predictive of rHuEPO hyporesponsiveness in dialysis patients.

Xanthomonas maltophilia infection in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients

Xanthomonas maltophilia infection has only been occasionally reported in patients receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis. We describe four cases of Xanthomonas maltophilia infection associated with chronic peritoneal dialysis. Two patients presented with peritonitis and two with exit site infection. All patients were diabetics, who immediately prior to the study had not received antibiotic therapy. Failure to respond to multiple antibiotic therapy resulted in catheter removal in both patients with peritonitis. In those patients with only exit site infections, dialysis could be continued following antibiotic therapy and catheter replacement in one. Catheter loss in our patients was directly attributed to peritonitis with Xanthomonas maltophilia infection.

Blood pressure control in haemodialysis patients: An audit

Objective:  This audit was conducted to study the level of achievement of some criteria relevant to blood pressure control in haemodialysis patients and to evaluate if auditing process improves the quality of medical care given to these patients.

Hypertension and hyperparathyroidism are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in patients on hemodialysis

Conflicting data for association between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and secondary hyperparathyroidism has been reported previously among dialysis patients. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association of hyperparathyroidism and hypertension with LVH. Charts of 130 patients on hemodialysis for at least six months were reviewed. All were subjected to M-mode echocardiography. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated by Devereuxs formula. LVM Index (LVMI) was calculated by dividing LVM by body surface area. Sera were analyzed for intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). iPTH of > 32 pmol/l and a mean blood pressure (MAP) of > 107 mmHg were considered high. Patients were stratified into groups according to their MAP and iPTH. A total of (47.7%) patients were males and 68 (52.3%) were females. Their median age was 57 years. The median duration on dialysis was 26 months. Forty eight (36.9%) patients had high BP and 54 (41.5%) had high iPTH. Both high BP and high iPTH were present in 38 (29.2%) patients. Analysis of the relationship between LVM, LVMI, MAP and iPTH showed that LVM and LVMI were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in patients with concomitant high BP and high iPTH. LVMI was significantly higher in patients with high iPTH alone. Concomitant high iPTH and high MAP increase the risk of LVH in hemodialysis patients. High iPTH alone might contribute in escalating LVH. Adequate control of hypertension and hyperparathyroidism might reduce the risk of developing LVH.

Intravenous Alfacalcidol Once Weekly Suppresses Parathyroid Hormone in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract:  Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism is difficult because of the interrelationship of parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of intravenous administration of alfacalcidol once weekly versus twice weekly in patients with severe hyperparathyroidism. Twenty‐one hemodialysis patients with intact parathyroid hormone >88 pmol/L were divided into two groups. Eleven patients (Group 1) were given a once‐weekly alfacalcidol intravenously for 12 weeks. The starting dose was 4 μg which was increased or decreased by 1 μg per week. Ten patients (Group 2) were given twice‐weekly alfacalcidol intravenously for 12 weeks. The starting dose was 2 μg twice weekly which was increased or decreased by 0.5 μg/dose. The dose was increased or decreased according to serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured weekly and intact parathyroid hormone every 4 weeks. Intact parathyroid hormone reduced significantly (P = 0.0001) from 128.12 ± 35.42 pmol/L to 82.93 ± 65.20 pmol/L and from 113.74 ± 40.83 pmol/L to 64.24 ± 35.17.pmol/L after 4 weeks in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. After 4 weeks alkaline phosphatase declined significantly (P = 0.0001) from 146.0 ± 57.3 IU/L to116.0 ± 45.6.IU/L in Group 1. and from 139.0 ± 45.1.IU/L to116.6 ± 38 IU/L in Group 2. There were no significant differences in serum levels of calcium, phosphorous or their product. Interestingly, an adenoma disappeared in one patient from Group 1, and out of two adenomas, one disappeared from another patient in the same group. These results indicate that intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly is safe and effective in suppressing high parathyroid hormone in hemodialysis patients.

Outcome and Survival in Different Peritoneal Dialysis Modalities

Abstract:  Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been accepted as a treatment option for patients with end‐stage renal disease, yet experience with PD in Arab countries is limited. This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome and survival of different PD modalities. All patients managed at the Mubarak Al‐Kabeer Hospital Kuwait between August 1982 and December 2003 using PD for three months or more were included in the study. Demographic features, outcome and survival of the patients were analyzed. Four hundred and fifteen patients with end‐stage renal failure were admitted into the PD program. Their mean age was 52.06 ± 16.43 years. Hospital‐based intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) were preferred by 203 (48.9%), 176 (42.4%), 30 (7.2%) and 6 (1.4%) patients respectively. The mean duration of follow up was 12.7 ± 11.7 months. Fifty‐five (13.3%) patients were continuing on PD, 55 (13.3%) had shifted to hemodialysis, 73 (17.6%) underwent renal transplantation, 114 (27.5%) died, 34 (8.2%) returned to their native countries, 79 (19%) transferred to other centers and follow up was lost for 5 (1.45%) patients. Patient survival at two years was 56%, 72% and 87% in IPD, CAPD and NIPD respectively. Technique survival at two years was 60.6%, 75.4% and 100% in IPD, CAPD and NIPD respectively. Peritoneal dialysis modalities provide a feasible modality of renal replacement therapy. The overall outcome and patient and technique survival in home PD modalities were better than hospital‐based PD.

Acute Interstitial Nephritis due to Chloramphenicol

A 47-year-old male was treated with chloramphenicol for a suspected lower urinary tract infection. Five days later, his urine output had dropped and was associated with a rapid rise in serum creatinin