Icodextrin and peritoneal dialysis: advantages and new applications.

The impact of icodextrin (ico) on peritoneal dialysis (PD) extension and patient survival is well established. Predominantly, ico-based solutions were prescribed in high-transporter PD patients. Advantages of the ico-based solutions include increased biocompatibility, avoidance of glucotoxicity, enhanced ultrafiltration failure (UF), sodium removal rates, better metabolic and blood pressure control. Bimodal solutions and twice daily exchanges of ico-based solutions are two newly introduced strategies to avoid glucose exposure and/or enhance UF in PD patients with UF failure. In addition, a simplified schedule of PD using a single nocturnal exchange of ico in patients with refractory congestive heart failure may represent an alternative option to manage fluid removal and azotaemia. The use of a simplified schedule of PD with only two ico exchanges or a single ico exchange is a challenging approach for end-stage renal disease patients with preserved residual function who desire to initiate PD.

Consenso colombiano de expertos sobre recomendaciones informadas en la evidencia para la prevención, el diagnóstico y el manejo de la lesión renal aguda por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 / Colombian consensus of experts on recommendations informed in the evidence for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury by SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

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Abstract Introduction: Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication in patients with COVID-19 and its occurrence is a potential indicator of multi-organ dysfunction and disease severity. Objective: Develop, through an expert consensus, evidence-based recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute kidney injury in patients with SARS CoV2 / COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods: Based on a rapid systematic review in Embase and Pubmed databases and documents from scientific societies, we made preliminary recommendations and consulted with an expert group through an online tool. Then we defined agreement after at least 70 % consensus approval. Quality evidence was evaluated according to the type of document included. The strength of the recommendations was graded as strong or weak. Results: Fifty clinical experts declared their conflict of interest; the consultation took place between May 2 and 29, 2020. The range of agreement ranged from 75.5 % to 100 %. Recommendations for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury in patients with SARS CoV2 infection are presented. Conclusions: Although the good quality information available regarding acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19 is scarce, the recommendations of clinical experts will guide clinical decision-making and strategies around patients with this complication, guaranteeing care focused on the people, with high quality standards, and the generation of safety, health and wellness policies for multidisciplinary care teams.

Creatinine, urea, uric acid, water and electrolytes renal handling in the healthy oldest old.

RENAL PHYSIOLOGY IN THE HEALTHY OLDEST OLD HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS, IN COMPARISON WITH THE RENAL PHYSIOLOGY IN THE YOUNG: a reduced creatinine clearance, tubular pattern of creatinine back-filtration, preserved proximal tubule sodium reabsorption and uric acid secretion, reduced sodium reabsorption in the thick ascending loop of Henle, reduced free water clearance, increased urea excretion, presence of medulla hypotonicity, reduced urinary dilution and concentration capabilities, and finally a reduced collecting tubules response to furosemide which expresses a reduced potassium excretion in this segment due to a sort of aldosterone resistance. All physiological changes of the aged kidney are the same in both genders.

Fractional excretion of K, Na and Cl following furosemide infusion in healthy, young and very old people.

UNLABELLED: Furosemide test is a simple and useful test of renal physiology used to evaluate the capability of the collecting ducts to secrete potassium under the effect of serum aldosterone. Its behaviour pattern has been established in children and young adults but not described in very old healthy people, which we explored in this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six healthy volunteers on a standard Western diet (50 mmol of K/day) were studied: 20 of them were young (between 17 and 40 years old) and the rest were very old (between 75 and 85 years old). They suffered from no diseases and were not on any medication. Before, during the test and 180 min after a single dose of intravenous furosemide (1 mg/kg), urine and blood samples were obtained for creatinine and electrolytes levels. From these data we calculated fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes; serum aldosterone was measured pre and post furosemide infusion. Statistical analysis was performed by applying Student's t-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference regarding pre-furosemide (basal) FE of potassium between the very old and young group. Post-furosemide average FE of potassium was significantly lower in the very old group (27.4 +/- 2%) compared with the young group (35.4 +/- 9%) (P = 0.04). Even though there was no significant difference in post-furosemide peak FE of potassium value, it was reached later in the very old (120 min) compared with the young (30 min). Serum aldosterone levels were significantly higher post furosemide in both groups: 18.3 +/- 12.2 ng/dl (pre) versus 32.5 +/- 18.6 ng/dl (post) in the young (P = 0.007) and 69.8 +/- 13.7 ng/dl (pre) versus 113.3 +/- 54.8 ng/dl (post) in the very old (P = 0.04). Furthermore, all serum aldosterone values (pre and post furosemide) were significantly higher in very old people compared with young people (P < 0.001). Basal fractional excretion of sodium and chloride were slightly higher in the very old group compared with the young group (P = 0.05). Average post-furosemide FE of sodium and chloride were slightly and significantly lower in the very old (P = 0.05 and P = 0.03), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in peak post-furosemide FE of sodium and chloride values, which were reached later in the very old (120 min) compared with the young (30 min). CONCLUSION: Furosemide test showed a significantly lower average post-furosemide FE of potassium value, delayed post-furosemide peak FE of Na, K and Cl and a hormonal pattern of aldosterone resistance in very old people.

Pilot study of probiotic dietary supplementation for promoting healthy kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Uremic syndrome consists of nitrogenous waste retention, deficiency in kidney-derived hormones, and reduced acid excretion, and, if untreated, may progress to coma and eventual death. Previous experience suggests that oral administration of a probiotic formulation of selected microbial strains may extend renoprotection via intraintestinal extraction of toxic waste solutes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)stages 3 and 4. This report presents preliminary data from a pilot study. METHODS: This was a 6-month prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a probiotic bacterial formulation conducted in four countries, at five institutions, on 46 outpatients with CKD stages 3 an nd 4: USA (n=10), Canada (n=113), Nigeria (n=115), and Argentina (n=8). Outcomes were compared using biochemical parameters:blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and uric acid. General well-being was assessed as a secondary parameter by a quality of life (QQOL) questionnaire on a subjective scale of 1-10. RESULTS: Oral ingestion of probiotics (90 billion colony forming units [CFUs]/day) was well tolerated and safe during the entire trial period at all sites. BUN levels decreased in 29 patients (63%, P<0.05), creatinine levels decreased in 20 patients (43%, no statistical significance), and uric acid levels decreased in 15 patients (33%, no statistical significance). Almost all subjects expressed a perceived substantial overall improvement in QOL (86%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The main outcomes of this preliminary trial include a significant reduction of BUN, enhanced well-being, and absence of serious adverse effects, thus supporting the use of the chosen probiotic formulation for bowel-based toxic solute extraction. QOL and BUN levels showed statistically significant differences in outcome (P<0.05) between placebo and probiotic treatment periods at all four sites (46 patients). A major limitation of this trial is the small sample size nd elated inconsistencies.

El órgano-lenguaje / The laguage-organ

A través de su caracterización como órgano que va más allá de nosotros mismos como individuos, en este artículo el autor rescata el rol del lenguaje como herramienta terapéutica. Explica con ejemplos los conceptos de significado (conceptos asociado a cada palabra), significante (imagen mental acústica que evoca cada vocablo) fonema (secuencia de sonidos) y sema (características o cualidades asociadas a dicho concepto mental); así como los procesos de analogía, aglutinación y connotación. Remarca su presencia en la sociedad desde antes de nuestro nacimiento, la necesidad de tiempo y ayuda de otros seres humanos para lograr dominarlo, su esencia compartida y su persistencia más allá de la extensión de la vida de cada uno de nosotros.

Homocisteína y enfermedad vascular / Homocysteine and vascular disease

Conclusión: La hiperhomocisteinemia se postula como un factor de riesgo vascular. Es sumamente frecuente en los enfermos insuficientes renales. El ácido fólico y la B12 pueden reducir losniveles plasmáticos de homocisteinemia pero se desconoce por el momento si esta reducción se traduciría en una disminución del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular

Homocisteína y enfermedad vascular / Homocysteine and vascular disease

Conclusión: La hiperhomocisteinemia se postula como un factor de riesgo vascular. Es sumamente frecuente en los enfermos insuficientes renales. El ácido fólico y la B12 pueden reducir losniveles plasmáticos de homocisteinemia pero se desconoce por el momento si esta reducción se traduciría en una disminución del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular (AU)