Renal Transplantation and Outcome.

Emergency surgery represents an independent risk factor for death and postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the literature data regarding outcome of daytime or nighttime renal transplantation surgery. Relevant papers, focused on renal transplantation surgery, time of the day, and complications, were searched across the PubMed database. We used the following search terms: "renal", "transplantation", "surgery", "daytime", "nighttime", and "outcome". A total of five papers, including 6,991 adult patients were evaluated. All patients received renal transplantation from deceased donor. Daytime or nighttime surgery do not seem to negatively impact on graft survival in renal transplantation. However, two out five studies reported higher odds of complications after nighttime operation. Since it is not possible to predict the availability of a deceased donor, nighttime surgery remains a valid option when necessary, maybe deserving a higher level of caution to reduce or avoid complications.

Primary membranous nephropathy in the Italian region of Emilia Romagna: results of a multicenter study with extended follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Since primary membranous nephropathy is a heterogeneous disease with variable outcomes and multiple possible therapeutic approaches, all 13 Nephrology Units of the Italian region Emilia Romagna decided to analyze their experience in the management of this challenging glomerular disease. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 205 consecutive adult patients affected by biopsy-proven primary membranous nephropathy, recruited from January 2010 through December 2017. The primary outcome was patient and renal survival. The secondary outcome was the rate of complete remission and partial remission of proteinuria. Relapse incidence, treatment patterns and adverse events were also assessed. RESULTS: Median (IQR) follow-up was 36 (24-60) months. Overall patient and renal survival were 87.4% after 5 years. At the end of follow-up, 83 patients (40%) had complete remission and 72 patients (35%) had partial remission. Among responders, less than a quarter (23%) relapsed. Most patients (83%) underwent immunosuppressive therapy within 6 months of biopsy. A cyclic regimen of corticosteroid and cytotoxic agents was the most commonly used treatment schedule (63%), followed by rituximab (28%). Multivariable analysis showed that the cyclic regimen significantly correlates with complete remission (odds ratio 0.26; 95% CI 0.08-0.79) when compared to rituximab (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our large study, both short- and long-term outcomes were positive and consistent with those published in the literature. Our data suggest that the use of immunosuppressive therapy within the first 6 months after biopsy appears to be a winning strategy, and that the cyclic regimen also warrants a prominent role in primary membranous nephropathy treatment, since definitive proof of rituximab superiority is lacking.

[The role of terlipressin in hepatorenal syndrome]. / Ruolo della terlipressina nella terapia della sindrome epatorenale.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication in patients with endstage liver disease. It consists of functional renal vasoconstriction leading to severe reduction of the glomerular filtration rate. In some patients the renal failure shows a rapidly progressive course, a clinical pattern known as type 1 HRS. In other cases the renal failure is less severe and remains stable for months, a condition known as type 2 HRS. HRS is pathogenically related to disturbances in circulatory function, mainly characterized by marked arterial vasodilation of the splanchnic circulation, triggered by portal hypertension. This vasodilation may result in effective arterial underfilling, with subsequent activation of vasoconstrictor systems including the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system, as well as hypersecretion of arginine vasopressin. These compensatory mechanisms may lead to renal failure due to the increase in intrarenal resistance and hypoperfusion. Although the available data are derived from studies including a limited number of patients mainly affected by type 1 HRS, vasoconstrictor drugs, in particular the vasopressin analog terlipressin, seem to be the most effective approach for the management of HRS. Associated with albumin infusion, these drugs have been shown to lead to reduced mortality and improved renal function in type 1 HRS. This is particularly true in HRS patients awaiting liver transplantation in whom the vasoconstrictor drugs appear to be the ''bridging'' therapy of choice. Finally, their use has been shown to be safe, and side effects usually disappear after dose reduction.

Tenofovir and kidney transplantation: case report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B viral infection (HBV) has been regarded as a contraindication for kidney transplantation because of the high risk of viral activation induced by immunosuppressive therapy. Anti-retroviral drugs have changed the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B viral infection (HBV+) who are candidates for renal transplant; indeed, therapy with antiretroviral drugs may ensure lower rates of morbidity and mortality compared to traditional therapies. Entecavir is the first-line antiviral therapy recommended for the treatment of HBV+ kidney-transplanted patients. In case of resistance to entecavir, tenofovir may be an alternative drug, either alone or in combination with entecavir. However, the best strategy of treatment is still unknown. In this case-report, a HBV+ kidney-transplanted patient who presented resistance to entecavir was initially treated by associating tenofovir to entecavir and with tenofovir alone afterward. This strategy induced complete remission of viral replication. CASE PRESENTATION: In a HBV+ kidney-transplanted patient under monotherapy with entecavir, HBV flare (HBV DNA > 170.000 × 103 UI/mL, HBeAg+, HbeAb-) occurred 9 months after transplantation; at that time, blood chemistry highlighted: creatinine 1.46 mg/dL, blood urea 65 mg/dL, e-GFR 50 mL/min, proteinuria 300 mg/24 h, calciuria 2,12 mmol/24 h, phosphaturia 0.56 g/24 h, vitamin D 11.5 ng/mL, PTH 130 pg/mL, calcemia 2.3 mmol/L, and phosphoremia 2 mg/dL. Liver elastometry (FibroScan) showed moderate fibrosis. Tenofovir was associated to entecavir. Three months after the combination therapy, reduction in HBV DNA replication (351 × 103 UI/mL) was obtained. Creatinine and e-GFR were 1.48 mg/dL and 52 mL/min, respectively. At this point, entecavir was discontinued. After 13 months of tenofovir monotherapy, complete remission of viral replication was achieved but renal function deteriorated and proteinuria increased. CONCLUSION: This case-report indicates that tenofovir is effective in reducing viral replication of hepatitis B virus in a kidney-transplanted patient who presented resistance to previous treatment with entecavir. However, it should be taken into account that tenofovir could affect renal function.

[Muscle-wasting in end stage renal disease in dialysis treatment: a review]. / La sarcopenia nell'uremico terminale in trattamento dialitico.

Progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass (muscle wasting) is a frequent complication in dialysis patients. Common uremic signs and symptoms such as insulin-resistance, increase in glucocorticoid activity, metabolic acidosis, malnutrition, inflammation and dialysis per se contribute to muscle wasting by modulating proteolytic intracellular mechanisms (ubiquitin-proteasome system, activation of caspase-3 and IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway). Since muscle wasting is associated with an increase in mortality, bone fractures and worsening in life quality, a prompt and personalised diagnostic and therapeutic approach seems to be essential in dialysis patients. At present, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), computed tomography (CT), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), impedance analysis, bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometric measurements are the main tools used to assess skeletal muscle mass. Aerobic and anaerobic training programmes and treatment of uremic complications reduce muscle wasting and increase muscle strength in uremic patients. The present review analyses the most recent data about the physiopathology, diagnosis, therapy and future perspectives of treatment of muscle wasting in dialysis patients.

Impact of renal dysfunction on in-hospital mortality of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a single-center Italian study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a study, based on discharge hospital sheets [International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM)], in order to evaluate the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), multi-morbidity, and in-hospital mortality (IHM). METHODS: This study included all hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2013, recorded in the database of the University Hospital St. Anna of Ferrara. Age, sex, and diagnosis of CKD and AKI were collected, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was calculated by ICD-9-CM codes. IHM was our main outcome. RESULTS: We analyzed 7073 subjects with COPD exacerbation; they were more frequently male (56.9 vs 43.1 %), and mean age was 76.7 ± 9.8 years. Diagnosis of CKD was present in 771 patients (10.9 %), while AKI was diagnosed in 354 cases (5 %). A total of 554 patients (7.8 %) died during hospitalization, and LOS was 10.3 ± 11.2 days (median 8 days); the CCI corrected for CKD was 2.30 ± 1.65. Univariate analysis showed that IHM group had higher age (81.2 ± 7.9 vs 76.3 ± 9.9 years, p < 0.001), CCI (2.61 ± 2.21 vs 2.28 ± 1.62, p = 0.001), and LOS (11.1 ± 15.1 vs 10.3 ± 10.8 days, p = 0.001) and developed AKI more frequently (16.6 vs 4 %, p < 0.001) than survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent association of IHM with age (OR 1.063; 95 % CI 1.050-1.075, p < 0.001), male sex (OR 1.229; 95 % CI 1.016-1.486, p = 0.033), logCCI (OR 2.051; 95 % CI 1.419-2.964, p < 0.001), and AKI (OR 3.849; 95 % CI 2.874-5.155, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a very important predictive factor of IHM in male older adult with multi-morbidity admitted because of COPD exacerbations.

Impact of comorbidity on outcome in kidney transplant recipients: a retrospective study in Italy.

The aim of this study was to relate in-hospital mortality (IHM), cardiovascular events (CVEs) and non-immunologic comorbidity evaluated on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codification, in Italian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). We evaluated IHM and admissions due to CVEs between 2000 and 2013 recorded in the database of the region Emilia Romagna. The Elixhauser score was calculated for evaluation of non-immunologic comorbidity. Three main outcomes (i.e. IHM, admission due to major CVEs and combined outcome) were the dependent variables of the multivariate models, while age, gender and Elixhauser score were the independent ones. During the examined period, a total of 9063 admissions in 3648 KTRs were recorded; 1945 patients were males (53.3 %) and 1703 females (46.7 %) and the mean age was 52.9 ± 13.1 years. The non-immunological impaired status of the KTRs, examined by the Elixhauser score, was 3.88 ± 4.29. During the 14-year follow-up period, IHM for any cause was 3.2 % (n = 117), and admissions due to CVEs were 527 (5.8 %). Age and comorbidity were independently associated with CVEs, IHM and the combined outcome. Male gender was independently associated with IHM and combined outcome, but not with CVEs. Evaluation of non-immunological comorbidity is important in KTRs and identification of high-risk patients for major clinical events could improve outcome. Moreover, comorbidity could be even more important in chronic kidney disease patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant.

A possible relationship between renal impairment and complications development in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective, observational study in Italy.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between complications development and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), in a cohort of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients. METHODS: This observational study considered 1284 T2DM outpatients, who had been followed-up for 4.5 ± 1.6 years. eGFR was estimated using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. The independent relationship between development of complications and clinical data was evaluated, and hazard ratio (HR) by Cox regression analysis calculated. RESULTS: Mean age of the population was 66.8 ± 10.4 years; mean serum creatinine and eGFR were 1.05 ± 0.36 mg/dl and 71.6 ± 21.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. Complications including death (14.2% of the whole population) were recorded in 504 subjects (39.3%). Patients with complications were older and more frequently male with history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, congestive heart disease, retinopathy, nephropathy and had higher levels of glycated hemoglobin. At Cox regression analysis, eGFR was the major risk factor for development of complications, and the HR increased according with lower eGFR (HR 1.53 and 1.86, for eGFR<45 and<30 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of T2DM outpatients, a reduced eGFR was associated with an increased risk of complications development.

[Rhabdomyolysis: role of the nephrologist]. / Rabdomiolisi: ruolo del nefrologo.

Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by skeletal muscle necrosis resulting in release of large amounts of toxic muscle cell components, including electrolytes, myoglobin, and other sarcoplasmic proteins into circulation. Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and myoglobin serum levels constitute the diagnostic hallmark. Nowadays, drugs have become one of the most frequent cause of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential life-threatening complication. The mechanisms involved in the development of AKI in rhabdomyolysis are intrarenal vasoconstriction, direct and ischemic tubule injury and tubular obstruction. According to some clinical series, the mortality rate in patients who develop AKI due to rhabdomyolysis is highly variable. The cornerstone in managing this condition is the early, aggressive repletion of fluids. The composition of replacement fluid remains controversial. Saline and sodium bicarbonate, especially in patients with metabolic acidosis, seem to be a reasonable approach. When AKI produces refractory hyperkalemia, acidosis or volume overload, renal replacement therapy is indicated.