Relationship between the Use of Aluminium Utensils for Cooking Meals and Chronic Aluminum Toxicity in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic aluminum toxicity (CAT) in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients is now a rare clinical disorder, unlike in the past, because of improvements in hemodialysis water purification systems and discontinuation of use of aluminum hydroxide as a phosphate binder. The use of aluminum utensils for cooking could be an unrecognised cause of the CAT. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between aluminum kitchen utensils used for cooking meals and chronic aluminum toxicity (CAT) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this case control study, a total of 31 (cases n=10; controls n=21) patients on MHD for more than one year were included. Cases were defined as patients with clinical manifestations (including laboratory parameters) of CAT and high (>200 mcg/L) serum aluminum levels. Control group was chosen from the same hemodialysis facilities. Association between use of aluminum utensils for cooking and occurrence of CAT was assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the cases and the control group was 52.90 and 52.95 years respectively with on significant difference (p=0.99). There was no difference in mean duration of dialysis (p=0.78), serum calcium level (p=0.06), serum phosphate level (p=0.19), serum albumin level (p=0.06), history of hypertension (p=1.00) and history of diabetes (n=0.12) between two groups. Mean haemoglobin (p<0.05) and mean iPTH (p<0.05) was significantly lower in the cases as compared to control group. Thirteen patients had history of use of aluminum utensils [cases 10 (76.90%) and control 3 (23.10%); p<0.05]. All cases i.e. 10 (100%) had exposure to aluminum utensils whereas three (14.3%) patients in the control group had exposure to aluminum utensils whereas 18 (85.7%) patients had no exposure. The relative risk of having CAT because of use of aluminum utensils compared to not using was 28.46 (1.81 to 445.3) and the odd's ratio estimated was 120 (5.45 to 2642). CONCLUSION: Use of aluminum utensils for cooking meals is associated with CAT. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings.

Catheter Related Right Atrial Thrombus in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: Results of a Single Centre Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To study the magnitude of the complication of catheter associated right atrial thrombus (CRAT) in patients with tunnelled central venous hemodialysis catheters (THC) for maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted among patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) with THC for MHD who had undergone screening for CRAT with a 2D-echo (2DE) just before removal of the THC. The occurrence of CRAT and other clinical parameters were documented in these patients. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients (mean [SD] age 51 [15.2] years; females 17 [60.7%]) were included in the study. CRAT was observed in 5 (17.9%) patients. There was no difference in mean age in patients with or without thrombus (48±13.02 vs 51.61 ± 15.78 years; p = 0.61). History of diabetes and hypertension was present in 2 and all 5 patients respectively. There was no significant difference in the period the THC was in place in patients with or without CRAT (13±7.8 months vs 10.57±5.66 months; p = 0.54). There was no association between catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) and CRAT (p= 0.29). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CRAT in patients with THC for MHD was 17.9%. Patients with THC for MHD should be examined for presence of CRAT before removal of THC to prevent fatal pulmonary thromboembolism.

Myasthenia Gravis with Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis: A Rare Co-existence.

The co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis with motor neurone disease is not a very common association and may pose problem and confusion in the minds of the treating physician because of the gamut of neurological symptoms. This case intends to highlight these dilemmas.

Recurrent Hypoglycaemia due to Insulin Autoimmune Disease (Hirata Disease) Associated with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance.

Hirata disease is a rare disease characterised by recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia due to anti-insulin antibody. In most of these cases causative agents were sulfhydryl containing compounds like Penicillamine, Glutathione, and Methimazole. The presentation of disease closely mimics insulinoma. We report 52 years female patient presenting with recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia due to anti-insulin antibody. On evaluation, underlying cause of antibody was found to be monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS).

Urinothorax: A rare cause of severe respiratory distress.

A case of massive right pleural effusion in a postoperative patient of percutaneous nephrolithotomy leading to severe respiratory distress is reported. A high degree of clinical suspicion and prompt intervention by insertion of an intercostal drainage tube prevented the patient from going in to respiratory failure. The development of arrhythmias confused the picture increasing the morbidity of the patient. However, the patient was managed in an intensive care unit with intercostal chest tube insertion and antiarrhythmic agents. After correction of the specific cause of the effusion the intercostal tube was removed on the 4(th) day without further recurrence of the effusion.

Efficacy of the three-point cuff palpation technique in preventing endobronchial tube migration during positioning in robotic pelvic surgeries.

Background and Aims: During robotic pelvic surgeries, the shortening of endotracheal tube (ETT) tip-to-carina distance (DTC) during pneumoperitoneum with 45° Trendelenburg position can result in endobronchial tube migration. In the three-point ETT cuff palpation (TPP) technique, maximal ETT cuff distension is felt over the tracheal segment located between the cricoid-thyroid membrane and suprasternal notch, which is likely to provide optimal placement. However, the reproducibility and reliability of the TPP technique in preventing endobronchial tube migration are yet to be evaluated. Hence, we compared three ETT placement techniques: TPP technique, intubation guide mark (IGM) technique and Varshney's formula (VF) for the prevention of endobronchial tube migration during robotic pelvic surgeries. Methods: ETT placement by TPP was compared with IGM and VF techniques in 100 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class II-III patients, by assessing the serial changes in DTC and incidence of endobronchial tube migration throughout the different phases of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position using t-test and Chi-square test. Changes in the DTC during various phases were also measured. Results: DTC (mean ± standard deviation) at baseline and during pneumoperitoneum was significantly better in TPP technique (2.80 ± 0.62 cm and 1.96 ± 0.66 cm) as compared to both IGM (2.50 ± 1.27 cm and 1.41 ± 1.29 cm) and VF techniques (1.83 ± 1.13 cm and 0.98 ± 1.18 cm), P < 0.001. During pneumoperitoneum, the mean shortening of DTC was 0.84 ± 0.20 cm, and no endobronchial tube migration was found in TPP technique compared to 20% in IGM and 25% in VF techniques, P < 0.001. Conclusion: TPP is a simple and reliable technique, which provides optimal ETT placement and prevents endobronchial tube migration throughout the different phases of robotic pelvic surgeries.

A Unified Citywide Dashboard for Allocation and Scheduling Dialysis for COVID-19 Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant global disruption, especially for chronic care like hemodialysis treatments. Approximately 10,000 end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) at 174 dialysis centers in Greater Mumbai. Because of the fear of transmission of infection and inability to isolate patients in dialysis centers, chronic hemodialysis care was disrupted for COVID-19-infected patients. Hence, we embarked on a citywide initiative to ensure uninterrupted dialysis for these patients. Materials and Methods: The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) designated 23 hemodialysis facilities as COVID-positive centers, two as COVID-suspect centers, and the rest continued as COVID-negative centers to avoid transmission of infection and continuation of chronic hemodialysis treatment. Nephrologists and engineers of the city developed a web-based-portal so that information about the availability of dialysis slots for COVID-infected patients was easily available in real time to all those providing care to chronic hemodialysis patients. Results: The portal became operational on May 20, 2020, and as of December 31, 2020, has enrolled 1,418 COVID-positive ESKD patients. This initiative has helped 97% of enrolled COVID-infected ESKD patients to secure a dialysis slot within 48 hours. The portal also tracked outcomes and as of December 31, 2020, 370 (27%) patients died, 960 patients recovered, and 88 patients still had an active infection. Conclusions: The portal aided the timely and smooth transfer of COVID-19-positive ESKD patients to designated facilities, thus averting mortality arising from delayed or denied dialysis. Additionally, the portal also documented the natural history of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city and provided information on the overall incidence and outcomes. This aided the city administration in the projected resource needs to handle the pandemic.

Renal and Hepatic Outcomes after Remdesivir Therapy in Coronavirus Disease-2019-Positive Patients with Renal Dysfunction at Baseline or after Starting Therapy.

We aimed to study the effect of remdesivir therapy on renal and hepatic function in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients with renal dysfunction at baseline or after starting therapy and identify the factors, if any, related to the efficacy of remdesivir therapy on patient outcome. Patients included in the study were those who met all the following criteria irrespective of baseline glomerular filtration rate [including those already on maintenance hemodialysis (HD)] or baseline deranged liver function test. (1) Age >18 years, (2) COVID-19 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction positive, (3) Meeting criteria for administration of remdesivir - [any one of the following: (a) COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory rate >30/min or SPO2<94% on room air, (b) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)]. (4) Renal dysfunction at baseline, during or within 48 h of completion of therapy. Thirty-four patients had renal dysfunction at baseline or developed it after remdesivir therapy - 16 were acute kidney injury (AKI), 10 chronic kidney diseases (CKD), four CKD stage 5D, and four were postrenal transplant. The overall mortality was 18/34 (52.9%). Eight out of 30 (26.66%) needed HD during or after therapy and of these, 15 died and among 15 survivors, 14 returned to their baseline renal function after cessation of therapy, one patient is still dialysis dependent. In the dialysis-dependent CKD (n = 4) subgroup, three died and one was discharged. In the postrenal transplant (n = 4) group, all developed AKI during or after the completion of therapy. None required HD, two returned to their baseline renal function, and two died. Only five had alanine aminotransferase elevation (×1 upper limit of normal) during or within 48 h of completion of therapy - three died and two returned to baseline. Lower PaO2/FiO2 (severe ARDS) (P = 0.0001), higher C-reactive protein (P = 0.022), higher serum lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.038), and duration of symptoms before starting therapy (P = 0.05) were statistically significant variables at baseline associated with higher mortality. Remdesivir can be tried in moderate-to-severe COVID-19 cases with renal dysfunction as a complete recovery of renal function was noted in survivors. However, larger and well-controlled studies evaluating its safety and efficacy in patients with AKI and CKD are needed.