Long-term safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation: a multi-center, prospective, open label, observational study.

Background: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients undergoing dialysis is high, however, the high risk of bleeding often hampers with a correct anticoagulation in ESKD patients with AF, despite high thromboembolic risk. Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is a anticoagulation (OAT) for thromboembolism prevention in AF populations with high hemorrhagic risk. Methods and Results: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LAA occlusion in a cohort of dialysis patients undergoing the procedure (LAA occlusion cohort, n = 106), in comparison with two other ESKD cohorts, one taking warfarin (Warfarin cohort, n = 114) and the other without anticoagulation therapy (No-OAT cohort, n = 148). After a median follow-up of 4 years, a Cox regression model, adjusted for possible confounding factors, showed that the hazard ratios (HRs) of thromboembolic events in the LAA occlusion cohort were 0.19 (95%CI 0.04-0.96; p = 0.045) and 0.16 (95%CI 0.04-0.66; p = 0.011) as compared with Warfarin and No-OAT cohorts, respectively. The HR of bleeding in the LAA occlusion cohort was 0.37 (95%CI 0.16-0.83; p = 0.017) compared to Warfarin cohort, while there were no significant differences between the LAA occlusion and the No-OAT cohort (HR 0.51; 95%CI 0.23-1.12; p = 0.094). Adjusted Cox regression models showed lower mortality in patients undergoing LAA occlusion as compared with both the Warfarin cohort (HR 0.60; 95%CI 0.38-0.94; p = 0.027) and no-OAT cohort (HR 0.52; 95%CI 0.34-0.78; p = 0.002). Thromboembolic events in the LAA occlusion cohort were lower than expected according to the CHA2DS2VASc score (1.7 [95%CI 0.3-3.0] vs 6.7 events per 100 person/years, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In ESKD patients with AF, LAA occlusion is safe and effective and is associated with reduced mortality compared with OAT or no therapy.

[Sodium balance and peritoneal ultrafiltration in refractory heart failure].

About 5% of patients with heart failure (HF) reach the end-stage of disease, becoming refractory to therapy. The clinical course of end-stage HF is characterized by repeated hospitalizations, severe symptoms, and poor quality of life. Peritoneal ultrafiltration (PUF), removing water and sodium (Na+), can benefit patients with end-stage HF. However, effects on fluid and electrolyte removal have not been fully characterized. In this pilot study in patients with chronic HF and moderate chronic renal failure, we evaluated the effects of water and sodium removal through PUF on ventricular remodeling, re-hospitalization, and quality of life. Patients with end-stage HF (NYHA class IV, ≥3 HF hospitalization/year despite optimal therapy), not eligible for heart transplantation underwent peritoneal catheter positioning and began a single-day exchange with icodextrin at night (n=6), or 1-2 daily exchanges with hypertonic solution (3.86%) for 2 hours with 1.5-2 L fill volume (n=3). At baseline, average ultrafiltration was 500±200 ml with icodextrin, and 700±100 ml with hypertonic solution. Peritoneal excretion of Na+ was greater with icodextrin (68±4 mEq/exchange) compared to hypertonic solution (45±19 mEq/exchange). After a median 12-month follow-up, rehospitalizations decreased, while NYHA class and quality of life (by Minnesota Living with HF questionnaire), improved. In end-stage HF patients, PUF reduced re-hospitalization and improved quality of life. It can be an additional treatment to control volume and sodium balance.

Erratum to: Relapsing Minimal Change Disease Superimposed on Late-Onset p.N215S Fabry Nephropathy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfab148.].

Relapsing minimal change disease superimposed on late-onset p.N215S Fabry nephropathy.

We present the case of a 76-year-old man with late-onset Fabry disease caused by the p.N215S missense mutation, with Fabry cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. In this case, the diagnosis of Fabry disease was incidental and followed minimal change disease (MCD) onset, with nephrotic syndrome and acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy. Fabry nephropathy associated with the p.N215S mutation is becoming increasingly recognized among older patients. The importance of electron microscopy is herein highlighted and histological features common to Fabry nephropathy and MCD are discussed, along with the challenges associated with the diagnosis and clinical management.

Ramipril and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: The ARCADIA Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: In this phase 3, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point, parallel, multicenter trial, we recruited patients on maintenance hemodialysis with hypertension and/or left ventricular hypertrophy from 28 Italian centers. Between July 2009 and February 2014, 140 participants were randomized to ramipril (1.25-10 mg/d) and 129 participants were allocated to non-RAS inhibition therapy, both titrated up to the maximally tolerated dose to achieve predefined target BP values. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary end points included the single components of the primary end point, new-onset or recurrence of atrial fibrillation, hospitalizations for symptomatic fluid overload, thrombosis or stenosis of the arteriovenous fistula, and changes in cardiac mass index. All outcomes were evaluated up to 42 months after randomization. RESULTS: At comparable BP control, 23 participants on ramipril (16%) and 24 on non-RAS inhibitor therapy (19%) reached the primary composite end point (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 1.64; P=0.80). Ramipril reduced cardiac mass index at 1 year of follow-up (between-group difference in change from baseline: -16.3 g/m2; 95% confidence interval, -29.4 to -3.1), but did not significantly affect the other secondary outcomes. Hypotensive episodes were more frequent in participants allocated to ramipril than controls (41% versus 12%). Twenty participants on ramipril and nine controls developed cancer, including six gastrointestinal malignancies on ramipril (four were fatal), compared with none in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Ramipril did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER: ARCADIA, NCT00985322 and European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database number 2008-003529-17.

Limited reliability of heart rate as a sympathetic marker in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a pronounced sympathetic overactivity as documented by the marked increase in muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA) and in plasma norepinephrine reported in this condition. Whether and to what extent in CKD heart rate (HR) reflects the adrenergic overdrive remains undefined. It is also undefined the relative validity of the different adrenergic markers in reflecting renal dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 82 CKD patients, aged 58.4 ±â€Š1.1 years (mean ±â€ŠSEM), we measured resting clinic blood pressure, HR (EKG), venous NE (HPLC) and MSNA (microneurography). The same measurements were made in 24 age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: HR was significantly greater in CKD than in controls (74.0 ±â€Š1.1 versus 68.2 ±â€Š1.8 bpm, P < 0.02) and significantly directly related to the elevated plasma norepinephrine and MSNA values (r = 0.22 and 0.39, P < 0.05 and <0.0003, respectively). Both MSNA and plasma norepinephrine were significantly and inversely related to the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The correlation did not achieve statistical significance for HR. Similar results were obtained examining the relationships with left ventricular mass index. CONCLUSION: Our data show that in CKD not only peripheral but also cardiac sympathetic drive is markedly enhanced and HR can be regarded as a marker of the adrenergic overdrive characterizing this condition. The reliability of HR as sympathetic marker appears to be limited, however, this variable being unable to closely reflect, at variance from MSNA and plasma norepinephrine, the interindividual differences in renal dysfunction and the accompanying structural cardiovascular alterations.

Outcomes on safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion in end stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis.

BACKGROUND: In patients with end stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation (AF), undergoing chronic dialysis, direct oral agents are contraindicated and warfarin does not fully prevent embolic events while increasing the bleeding risk. The high hemorrhagic risk represents the main problem in this population. Aim of the study was to estimate the safety and efficacy for thromboembolic prevention of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion in a cohort of dialysis patients with AF and high hemorrhagic risk. METHODS: Ninety-two dialysis patients with AF who underwent LAA occlusion were recruited. For comparative purposes, two cohorts of dialysis patients with AF, one taking warfarin (oral anticoagulant therapy, OAT cohort, n = 114) and the other not taking any OAT (no-therapy cohort, n = 148) were included in the study. Primary endpoints were (1) incidence of peri-procedural complications, (2) incidence of 2-year thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, (3) mortality at 2 years. In order to evaluate the effect of the LAA occlusion on the endpoints with respect to the OAT and No-therapy cohorts, a multivariable Cox regression model was applied adjusted for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: The device was successfully implanted in 100% of cases. Two major peri-procedural complications were reported. No thromboembolic events occurred at 2-year follow-up. The adjusted multivariable Cox regression model showed no difference in bleeding risk in the OAT compared to the LAA occlusion cohort in the first 3 months of follow-up [HR 1.65 (95% CI 0.43-6.33)], when most of patients were taking two antiplatelet drugs. In the following 21 months the bleeding incidence became higher in OAT patients [HR 6.48 (95% CI 1.32-31.72)]. Overall mortality was greater in both the OAT [HR 2.76 (95% CI 1.31-5.86)] and No-Therapy [HR 3.09 (95% CI 1.59-5.98)] cohorts compared to LAA occlusion patients. CONCLUSIONS: The study could open the way to a non-pharmacological option for thromboembolic protection in dialysis patients with AF and high bleeding risk.

Sympathetic nerve traffic overactivity in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies based on microneurographic sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) recordings have shown that the sympathetic system is overactivated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients but the relationship between MSNA and renal function and other risk factors has not been systematically reviewed in this population. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: This meta-analysis compares MSNA in cardiovascular complications-free CKD patients (n = 638) and healthy individuals (n = 372) and assesses the relationship of MSNA with the eGFR, age, BMI and hemodynamic variables. RESULTS: In a global analysis, MSNA was higher in CKD patients than in healthy control individuals (P < 0.001). The difference in MSNA between patients and healthy individuals was more marked in end-stage kidney diseases patients than in stage 3A 3B CKD patients (P < 0.001). In an analysis combining patients and healthy individuals, MSNA rose gradually across progressively lower eGFR categories (P < 0.01). In separate meta-regression analyses in CKD patients and in healthy individuals, MSNA associated directly with age (CKD: r = 0.57, P = 0.022; healthy individuals: r = 0.71, P = 0.031) and with the BMI (r = 0.75, P = 0.001 and r = 0.93, P = 0.003). In both groups, MSNA correlated with heart rate (r = 0.77, P = 0.02 and r = 0.66, P = 0.01) but was unrelated to plasma norepinephrine. CONCLUSION: Independently of comorbidities, MSNA is markedly increased in CKD patients as compared with healthy individuals and it is related to renal function, age, the BMI and heart rate. Sympathetic activation intensifies as CKD progresses toward kidney failure and such an intensification is paralleled by a progressive rise in heart rate but it is not reflected by plasma norepinephrine.

Spondylodiscitis in hemodialysis patients: a new emerging disease? Data from an Italian Center.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at high risk for infectious complications such as spondylodiscitis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the cases of infective spondylodiscitis occurred between May 2005 and October 2019 among HD patients at our center. In 14 years, there were 9 cases (mean age 69±12 years). The main comorbidities found were diabetes mellitus (55.6% of patients), hypertension (55.6%), bone diseases (22.2%), cancer (11.1%) and rheumatoid arthritis treated with steroids (11.1%). The clinical onset included back pain (100% of cases), fever (55.6%), neurological deficits (33.4%), leukocytosis (55.6%) and elevated CRP level (88.9%). Most cases were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (66.7%) with more frequent involvement of lumbar region (77.8%). Blood cultures were positive in five patients (mostly for S. aureus); three of them used catheters as vascular access and, in two cases, their removal was necessary. The mean time interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis was 34±42 days. All patients received antibiotic treatment for a mean duration of 6 weeks; most cases were initially treated with vancomycin or teicoplanin plus ciprofloxacin. Most patients (77.8%) recovered after a mean of 3.5 months; one patient had a relapse after 2 years and one patient had long-term neurologic sequelae. Infective spondylodiscitis in HD must be suspected in the presence of back pain, even in the absence of fever or traditional risk factors. An early diagnosis could improve the outcome. Close monitoring of vascular access, disinfection procedures and aseptic techniques are important to avoid this complication.

Sympathetic Overactivation in Patients With Essential Hypertension and Hepatic Iron Overload.

Iron overload has been recently shown to be associated with a hyperadrenergic state in genetic hemochromatosis. Whether this is also the case in essential hypertension, characterized by sympathetic activation and frequently by body iron overload, is unknown. In 17 healthy normotensive controls (age 52.3±3.2 years, mean±SE), in 21 age-matched patients with hypertension with iron overload (HT+), defined by serum ferritin levels, and in 28 hypertensives without this condition, we measured efferent postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (microneurography), heart rate and blood pressure variability (power spectral analysis), serum ferritin, and metabolic variables. Muscle sympathetic nerve traffic was significantly (P<0.02 at least) greater in HT+ than in patients with hypertension without iron overload and normotensive subjects both when expressed as bursts incidence over time (41.8±1.4 versus 31.5±1.4 and 23.6±0.9 bursts/min) and as bursts corrected for heart rate (55.3±1.8 versus 42.3±1.2 and 31.7±1.2 bursts/100 heartbeats). In HT+, low-frequency systolic blood pressure variability was significantly reduced. In HT+, but not in the other 2 groups, muscle sympathetic nerve traffic was significantly related to serum ferritin (r=0.51, P<0.03), transferrin saturation (r=0.47, P<0.03), and hepatic iron load (r=0.76, P<0.0001, magnetic resonance imaging), as well as to homeostatic model assessment index values (r=0.46, P<0.05). These data provide the first evidence that in HT+ elevated serum ferritin is associated with a hyperadrenergic state of greater magnitude than the one seen in patients with hypertension without iron overload. They also show that the potentiation of the sympathetic activation detected in HT+ is related to elevated serum ferritin and to the associated metabolic alterations, possibly participating in the increased cardiovascular risk characterizing iron overload.

Case report: the thoracoscopic surgery in peritoneal-pleural leakage. A valid therapeutic strategy.

Pleuro-peritoneal leakage is an uncommon complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, we report the case of a male patient (age 83), treated with PD (daytime single-exchange). In October 2019, hospitalization was necessary due to dyspnoea and a reduction of peritoneal ultrafiltration. A right pleural leakage resulted at chest x-ray. A regression of the pleural leakage was immediately observed after interrupting PD. It was then performed a pleuro-peritoneal CT scan at baseline, followed by a second scan performed 4 hours after the injection of 2 L of isotonic solution with 100ml of contrast medium, which evidenced a pleuro-peritoneal communication. It was then decided to perform a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), that showed no evidence of diaphragm communication. It was then executed a pleurodesis using sterile talcum. The patient was released on the 3rd day, with a conservative therapy and a low-protein diet. After 2 weeks a new pleuro-peritoneal CT scan with contrast medium was executed. This time the scan evidenced the absence of contrast medium in the thoracic cavity. The patient then resumed PD therapy, with 3 daily exchanges with isotonic solution (volume 1.5 L), showing no complications. Concerning the treatment of pleuro-peritoneal leakage, VATS allows both the patch-repairing of diaphragmatic flaws and the instillation of chemical agents. In our case, VATS allowed the chemical pleurodesis which in turn enabled, in just 2 weeks of conservative treatment, the resuming of PD. In conclusion, this methodology is a valid option in the treatment of pleuro-peritoneal leakage in PD patients.

Sympathetic Nerve Traffic and Arterial Baroreflex Function in Apparent Drug-Resistant Hypertension.

True drug-resistant hypertension (RHT) is characterized by a marked neuroadrenergic activation and reflex alterations compared with the nonresistant hypertensive state. It is unknown however, whether this behavior is specific for the RHT state or is also shared by apparent RHT (ARHT). In 38 middle-age patients with RHT, 44 treated essential controlled hypertensives (HT) and 32 ARHT; we evaluated sphygmomanometric, beat-to-beat (Finapres) and 24-hour (Spacelabs) blood pressure, heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (microneurography). Measurements included plasma aldosterone, plasma norepinephrine, homeostasis model assessment index, and spontaneous baroreflex-muscle sympathetic nerve traffic sensitivity. All the various above-mentioned blood pressure values were significantly greater in both RHT and ARHT as compared with HT, while 24-hour blood pressure was significantly lower in ARHT as compared with RHT. In ARHT, muscle sympathetic nerve traffic was significantly lower than RHT (74.8±5.2 versus 89.2±4.8 bursts/100 hb, P<0.01) and similar to HT (69.7±4.8 bursts/100 hb, P=NS). RHT showed, at variance from the other 2 groups, greater plasma aldosterone and homeostasis model assessment index values and an impaired baroreflex function. In RHT, but not in ARHT and HT, muscle sympathetic nerve traffic was significantly and inversely related to baroreflex function (r=-0.40, P<0.02) and directly to plasma aldosterone and homeostasis model assessment index values (r=0.34-0.36, P<0.05). Plasma norepinephrine and heart rate values were not significantly different in the 3 groups. These data provide evidence that the marked sympathetic activation and baroreflex dysfunction detected in RHT is not present in ARHT, which displays a sympathetic and baroreflex profile superimposable to that seen in HT. These differences in the neurogenic function may have important clinical and therapeutic implications.

Acute effect of a peritoneal dialysis exchange on electrolyte concentration and QT interval in uraemic patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) sessions induce changes in plasma electrolytes that lead to modifications of QT interval, virtually associated with dangerous arrhythmias. It is not known whether such a phenomenon occurs even during peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between dialysate and plasma electrolyte modifications and QT interval during a PD exchange. METHODS: In 15 patients, two manual PD 4-h exchanges were performed, using two isotonic solutions with different calcium concentration (Ca++1.25 and Ca1.75++ mmol/L). Dialysate and plasma electrolyte concentration and QT interval (ECG Holter recording) were monitored hourly. A computational model simulating the ventricular action potential during the exchange was also performed. RESULTS: Dialysis exchange induced a significant plasma alkalizing effect (p < 0.001). Plasma K+ significantly decreased at the third hour (p < 0.05). Plasma Na+ significantly decreased (p < 0.001), while plasma Ca++ slightly increased only when using the Ca 1.75++ mmol/L solution (p < 0.01). The PD exchange did not induce modifications of clinical relevance in the QT interval, while a significant decrease in heart rate (p < 0.001) was observed. The changes in plasma K+ values were significantly inversely correlated to QT interval modifications (p < 0.001), indicating that even small decreases of K+ were consistently paralleled by small QT prolongations. These results were perfectly confirmed by the computational model. CONCLUSIONS: The PD exchange guarantees a greater cardiac electrical stability compared to the HD session and should be preferred in patients with a higher arrhythmic risk. Moreover, our study shows that ventricular repolarization is extremely sensitive to plasma K+ changes, also in normal range.

Implant success and safety of left atrial appendage occlusion in end stage renal disease patients: Peri-procedural outcomes from an Italian dialysis population.

AIMS: To estimate the safety and the efficacy of the off label left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion in chronic dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this preliminary paper, we report the design of the study and the data on peri-procedural complications. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. Primary endpoints are i) incidence of peri-procedural complications, ii) cumulative incidence of two-year thromboembolic events iii) cumulative incidence of two-year bleedings iiii) mortality at two years. Adverse events and death within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty patients who underwent LAA occlusion between May 2014 and September 2017 were recruited. Both the mean age of the sample study and the dialysis duration were high [71.8 (9.6) years and 59.4 (78.2) months, respectively]. Most patients (84%) were hypertensive and 62% suffered a previous major bleeding. About half of them presented cardiovascular diseases. CHA2DS2VASCs and HASBLED scores were 4.0 (1.5) and 4.4 (0.9), respectively. Most patients (88%) showed atrial dilatation and 44% left ventricular hypertrophy; 32% had left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. Fifty five percent of patients had permanent AF and 32% paroxysmal AF. All devices were implanted successfully. No deaths or major adverse events were reported during a 30-day follow-up. Three episodes of peri-procedural access site bleeding were reported, requiring no transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggest the feasibility and safety of LAA occlusion in patients undergoing dialysis. Only the follow-up of these patients over time can provide evidence that LAA occlusion is effective in preventing of thromboembolic events in this very high-risk population.

[Clinical practice for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in patients on renal replacement therapy: data from a Lombard survey]. / Pratica clinica per la diagnostica delle aritmie cardiache in pazienti in terapia renale sostitutiva: dati di una survey lombarda.

Among dialysis patients, 40% of deaths are due to cardiovascular causes, and 60% of cardiac deaths are due to an arrhythmia. The purpose of this survey, carried out with the organizational support of the Lombard Section of the Italian Society of Nephrology, is to evaluate the frequency and mode of use of non-invasive instruments for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in the dialysis centers of Lombardy. Information on the prevalence and type of cardiac devices at December 1, 2016 in this population was also required. Data from 18 centers were collected for a total of 3395 patients in replacement renal therapy, including 2907 (85.6%) in hemodialysis and 488 (14.4%) in peritoneal dialysis. All centers use the 12-lead ECG in case of evocative symptoms of an arrhythmic event and 2/3 perform the exam with programmed cadence (usually once a year). Twenty four-hour ECG Holter is not used as a routine diagnostic tool. The proportion of cardiac devices is relatively high, compared to literature data: n=259, equal to 7.6% of the population. Pace-Maker patients are 166 (4.9%), those with intracardiac defibrillator 52 (1.5%), those with resynchronization therapy 18 (0.5%) and those with resynchronization therapy and intracardiac defibrillator 23 (0.7%). The survey provides interesting information and can be an important starting point for trying to optimize clinical practice and collaboration between nephrologists and cardiologists in front of a major problem like that of arrhythmic disease in patients on renal replacement therapy.

Sudden Death in End Stage Renal Disease: Comparing Hemodialysis versus Peritoneal Dialysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate total and sudden death (SD) in a cohort of dialysis patients, comparing hemodialysis (HD) vs. peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Deaths were 626 out of 1,823 in HD and 62 of 249 in PD patients. HD patients had a greater number of comorbidities (p < 0.05). PD patients had a lower risk of death than HD patients (p < 0.001); however, the advantage decreased with time (p < 0.001). Mortality predictors were left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, older age, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, and atrial fibrillation (p < 0.03). SDs were 84:71 in HD and 13 in PD population (12.1 and 22.8% of all causes of death, respectively). A non-significant risk of SD among PD compared to HD patients was detected. SD predictors were older age, ischemic heart disease, and LVEF ≤35% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HD patients showed a greater presence of comorbidities and reduced survival compared to PD patients; however, the incidence of SD does not differ in the 2 populations. Video Journal Club "Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco" at http://www.karger.com/?doi=464347.

[Quality of life, anxiety and distress in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease: pre-dialysis and start of dialytic treatment]. / Qualità di vita, ansia e distress nei pazienti affetti da malattia renale cronica: predialisi ed inizio del trattamento dialitico.

The psychological impact of the Chronic Kidney Disease is well known and several factors contribute to a reduction of quality of life, increase of anxiety levels and psychological distress for affected patients. Psychological intervention is becoming ever more consolidating within the Departments of Nephrology. Nevertheless, literature is lacking about the psychological intervention specificity, especially concerning the dialysis and pre-dialysis phase. The purpose of the study is to identify the mainly critical periods for the dialysed patients in terms of anxiety and distress and to examine the impact of medical management in pre-dialysis period on life quality. In this multi-centre study the sample was collected in three Dialysis Centres: the IRCCS San Raffaele, the IRCCS Multimedica and the A.O. Fatebenefratelli. The instruments used were KDQOL-SF, specific for the dialysed patient's quality of life, PDI, for the distress evaluation and STAI, for anxiety evaluation. The data showed the presence of a more severe psychological unease at the beginning of haemodialysis therapy and a better perception of the life quality for those who have received the medical adoption during the pre-dialysis phase than who did not have it. From a psychological point of view, these results highlight the importance of taking charge the patients in a pre-dialysis phase and of structuring specific psychological interventions during the initial period of substitution therapy.

Renal replacement therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Rate of use, clinical predictors and relationship with in-hospital mortality.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the rate of use, clinical predictors, and in-hospital outcome of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. METHODS: All consecutive AMI patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015 were identified through a search of our prospectively collected clinical database. Patients were grouped according to whether they required RRT or not. RESULTS: Two-thousand-eight-hundred-thirty-nine AMI patients were included. Eighty-three (3%) AMI patients underwent RRT. Variables confirmed at cross validation analysis to be associated with RRT were: admission creatinine >1.5mg/dl (OR 16.9, 95% CI 10.4-27.3), cardiogenic shock (OR 23.0, 95% CI 14.4-36.8), atrial fibrillation (OR 8.6, 95% CI 5.5-13.4), mechanical ventilation (OR 22.6, 95% CI 14.2-36.0), diabetes mellitus (OR 4.8, 95% CI 3.1-7.4), and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (OR 9.1, 95% CI 5.6-14.7). The AUC for RRT with the combination of these predictors was 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.97; P<0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in RRT patients (41% vs. 2.1%, P<0.001). Oligoanuria as indication for RRT (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.7-15.4), atrial fibrillation (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.6-11.5), mechanical ventilation (OR 20.8, 95% CI 6.1-70.4), and cardiogenic shock (OR 12.9, 95% CI 4.4-38.3) independently predicted mortality in RRT-treated patients. The AUC for in-hospital mortality prediction with the combination of these variables was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.98; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AMI undergoing RRT had strikingly high in-hospital mortality. Use of RRT and its associated mortality were accurately predicted by easily obtainable clinical variables.