Important role of blood rheology in atherosclerosis of patients with hemodialysis.

Concerning a role of blood rheology for atherosclerosis in patients with hemodialysis (HD), little data are available. It may be due to the fact that the method for evaluating rheologic properties of circulating blood has been limited. We examined blood rheology in 118 HD patients by using microchannel array flow analyzer that makes it possible to directly observe the flow of blood cell elements through the microchannel. Transit time (T(B)) of heparinized whole blood through slit pores (7 x 30 microm) was used as an index of rheology and related with various inflammatory biomarkers such as high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), monocyte chemotactic protein-1, osteopontin, or fibrinogen (Fg). Moreover, as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and aortic stiffness evaluated by brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) were studied. In HD patients, T(B) had strong positive correlations with hsCRP (r = 0.427; p < 0.00001), Fg (r = 0.452; p < 0.00001), and osteopontin (r = 0.227; p < 0.0134). Further, T(B) was significantly well correlated with IMT (r = 0.400; p < 0.0001) and PWV (r = 0.470; p < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that baPWV, IMT, Fg, hematocrit, white blood cell count, and CRP were chosen as significant explanatory factors for T(B.) These results suggest that blood rheology may play an important role for atherosclerosis in patients with HD.

The effects of blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on regional cerebral blood flow and cognitive impairment in dialysis patients.

Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in chronic kidney disease patients. Little is known about the relationship between the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cognitive function in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We used quantitative single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) to determine whether rCBF decreased in these patients. Fifty-four consecutive HD patients who were able to visit the hospital unassisted and had no history of stroke underwent cognitive assessment based on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Using quantitative image-analysis software, the SPECT imaging data were used to compare rCBF in HD patients and age-matched healthy controls. Thirty-four patients (63%) had MMSE scores ⩾28 (non-dementia). Regarding the extent of decreased rCBF in HD patients compared with rCBF in normal control patients, SPECT demonstrated significant rCBF decreases in all patients. rCBF in the perfusion area of the middle cerebral artery was significantly more decreased than in other areas. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the presence or absence of a previous history of percutaneous coronary intervention, drug therapy with angiotensin II receptor antagonists and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were independent risk factors for the extent of decreased rCBF. Regarding the severity of decreased rCBF, stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that HD duration and systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) were chosen. In conclusion, rCBF decreased in all HD patients studied, irrespective of their clinical symptoms or MMSE scores. Blood pressure was an independent risk factor affecting the extent of decreased rCBF.

Vital sign triage to rule out diabetic ketoacidosis and non-ketotic hyperosmolar syndrome in hyperglycemic patients.

AIMS: To develop a prediction algorithm to rule out diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and non-ketotic hyperosmolar syndrome (NKHS) based on vital signs for early triage of patients with diabetes. METHODS: The subjects were consecutive adult diabetic patients with hyperglycemia (blood glucose >or=250mg/dl) who presented at an emergency department. Based on a derivation sample (n=392, 70% of 544 patients at a hospital in Okinawa), recursive partitioning analysis was used to develop a tree-based algorithm. Validation was conducted using the other 30% of the patients in Okinawa (n=152, internal validation) and patients at a hospital in Tokyo (n=95, external validation). RESULTS: Three risk groups for DKA/NKHS were identified: a high-risk group of patients with glucose >400mg/dl or systolic blood pressure <100mmHg; a low risk group of patients with glucose or=100mmHg, pulse

LDL-apheresis improves peripheral arterial occlusive disease with an implication for anti-inflammatory effects.

Although it is known that LDL-apheresis improves ischemic limb seen in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), anti-inflammatory effects are not well known. We studied whether or not serum or plasma levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), monocyte chemoatractant protein-1 (MCP-1), or fibrinogen could contribute to favorable effects for ischemic limbs after LDL-apheresis. Twenty-eight patients with PAOD (24 men, 4 women) were enrolled in our study. LDL-apheresis was performed 10 times (treated plasma of 3,000 ml) for 5 weeks. Serum levels of logarithmically transformed values of hsCRP significantly decreased from 3.666 +/- 0.126 to 3.482 +/- 0.139 ng/ml before and after a single session of LDL-apheresis (P < 0.001). Serum levels of MCP-1 decreased from 233 +/- 17.5 to 187 +/- 13.5 pg/ml before and after LDL-apheresis (P < 0.05). Likewise, plasma fibrinogen levels statistically decreased from 196 +/- 9.82 to 159 +/- 9.60 mg/dl (P < 0.001). Overall rates of improvement including foot chillness or numbness, and double folds increase in walking distance were 82.1% 3 months after a completion of LDL-apheresis, while gangrene was only improved 14.3%. Intermittent claudication improved in 53.6%. The favorable actions of LDL-apheresis might include anti-inflammatory effects. To avoid amputation, LDL-apheresis should be applied for patients with PAOD at an early stage of the disease process and may be applicable for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders.

LDL-apheresis up-regulates VEGF and IGF-I in patients with ischemic limb.

Although it is known that LDL-apheresis improves ischemic limb seen in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), the underlying mechanism(s) still remains unknown. We studied whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and/or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels correlated with improvement of ischemic limbs after LDL-apheresis. Sixteen patients with PAOD (13 men, 3 women) were enrolled in our study. LDL-apheresis was performed 10 times (treated plasma 3,000 ml) for 5 weeks. Serum level of VEGF significantly increased from 262 +/- 171 pg/ml to 306 +/- 165 pg/ml before and after LDL-apheresis (P < 0.05). This value further increased up to 441 +/- 175 pg/ml 3 months after the end of this therapy (P < 0.01, compared with the basal value and P < 0.05, compared with the value at the end of 10-times session). Increased levels of VEGF paralleled increases in the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI). After 10-times therapy, IGF-I significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but increased over the basal value 3 months after this therapy. Plasma fibrinogen statistically decreased and remained low for 3 months. The favorable effects of LDL-apheresis may be ascribed to up-regulation of VEGF and IGF-I associated with decreased fibrinogen levels.