[Decline in Renal Function with Age in Chile: Gender Differences and the Impact of Comorbidities]. / Disminución de la función renal con la edad en Chile: Diferencias de género y efecto de comorbilidades.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using serum creatinine is widely utilized for assessing renal function. Its decrease with age and in the presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity is well-known. However, there are no representative data for the Chilean population. AIM: To estimate the decline in eGFR with age according to gender and the presence of chronic diseases in the adult Chilean population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 5,638 participants aged ≥18 years from the National Health Survey 2009 and 2017. The eGFR was estimated using the CKD-EPI formula based on serum creatinine. The decline in eGFR was compared by gender and the presence of chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or obesity). RESULTS: eGFR declined with age in both genders, with a steeper decrease in women (-0.88 vs. -0.78 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p<0.01). The decline in eGFR started early and uniformly from the age of 18. In the presence of chronic diseases, the slope was significantly steeper (-0.94 vs. -0.83 mL/min/1.73 m2/ year, p<0.001), with women with chronic diseases experiencing the greatest decline (-1.00 mL/min/1.73 m2/year). CONCLUSION: eGFR progressively decreased with age in the Chilean population, showing an early decline starting from 18 years, more pronounced in women, and in the presence of chronic diseases. Our findings provide relevant population-based information for interpreting eGFR across different age groups and risk categories.

[Effectiveness of regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous renal replacement therapy]. / Efectividad de anticoagulación regional con citrato en terapia de reemplazo renal continua.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is essential to counteract the coagulation cascade activation, induced by the dialysis circuit. Heparin is the most widely used anticoagulant, followed by regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA). AIM: To determine the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant treatment with citrate in CRRT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of adults in CRRT hospitalized between the years 2014 and 2020 in critical units, who required change to RCA according to established protocols. RESULTS: We studied 24 patients aged 63 ± 13 years (12 females). The reasons for admission were acute kidney injury (AKI) in 80% and stage 5 chronic kidney disease in 20%. The indication of RCA in 75% of patients was by coagulation of more than 3 circuits in 24 hours. The duration of the circuit in RCA was 18.5 ± 4.8 hours versus 11.9 ± 4.9 hours with heparin (p < 0.0001). There were 19 mild complications that did not affect the RCA. CONCLUSIONS: RCA is feasible to perform, it is a safe and efficient procedure if it is protocolized, allowing a longer duration of the dialysis circuit.

Efectividad de anticoagulación regional con citrato en terapia de reemplazo renal continua / Effectiveness of regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous renal replacement therapy

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is essential to counteract the coagulation cascade activation, induced by the dialysis circuit. Heparin is the most widely used anticoagulant, followed by regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA). AIM: To determine the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant treatment with citrate in CRRT. Material and Methods: Retrospective study of adults in CRRT hospitalized between the years 2014 and 2020 in critical units, who required change to RCA according to established protocols. RESULTS: We studied 24 patients aged 63 ± 13 years (12 females). The reasons for admission were acute kidney injury (AKI) in 80% and stage 5 chronic kidney disease in 20%. The indication of RCA in 75% of patients was by coagulation of more than 3 circuits in 24 hours. The duration of the circuit in RCA was 18.5 ± 4.8 hours versus 11.9 ± 4.9 hours with heparin (p < 0.0001). There were 19 mild complications that did not affect the RCA. Conclusions: RCA is feasible to perform, it is a safe and efficient procedure if it is protocolized, allowing a longer duration of the dialysis circuit.

Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cell Death Induced by High-Glucose Hypertonic Solution Involves Ca2+ and Na+ Ions and Oxidative Stress with the Participation of PKC/NOX2 and PI3K/Akt Pathways.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy is equally efficient as hemodialysis while providing greater patient comfort and mobility. Therefore, PD is the treatment of choice for several types of renal patients. During PD, a high-glucose hyperosmotic (HGH) solution is administered into the peritoneal cavity to generate an osmotic gradient that promotes water and solutes transport from peritoneal blood to the dialysis solution. Unfortunately, PD has been associated with a loss of peritoneal viability and function through the generation of a severe inflammatory state that induces human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) death. Despite this deleterious effect, the precise molecular mechanism of HPMC death as induced by HGH solutions is far from being understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the pathways involved in HGH solution-induced HPMC death. HGH-induced HPMC death included influxes of intracellular Ca2+ and Na+. Furthermore, HGH-induced HPMC death was inhibited by antioxidant and reducing agents. In line with this, HPMC death was induced solely by increased oxidative stress. In addition to this, the cPKC/NOX2 and PI3K/Akt intracellular signaling pathways also participated in HGH-induced HPMC death. The participation of PI3K/Akt intracellular is in agreement with previously shown in rat PMC apoptosis. These findings contribute toward fully elucidating the underlying molecular mechanism mediating peritoneal mesothelial cell death induced by high-glucose solutions during peritoneal dialysis.

[Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis]. / Diagnóstico y seguimiento de 12 casos de peritonitis esclerosante asociada a diálisis peritoneal crónica en Chile: Experience in 12 patients on peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) with a low prevalence but high mortality. It is characterized by peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis with subsequent development of intestinal encapsulation. It is associated with a long lapse on PD, frequent episodes of peritonitis, high glucose solution use, and high peritoneal transport status. AIM: To report the clinical features of patients on PD, who developed EPS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of medical records of 12 patients aged 43 ± 10 years (eight women) who developed EPS. RESULTS: The mean time spent on PD was 98 months. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain in 82% and ultrafiltration failure in 63%. In 92%, there was a history of peritonitis and 75% had high peritoneal transport at the time of diagnosis. The main findings in computed tomography were peritoneal calcification and thickening. There was a biopsy compatible with the diagnosis in 10 cases. Treatment consisted in withdrawal from PD, removal of PD catheter and the use of corticoids and tamoxifen. After withdrawal from PD 50% of patients became asymptomatic. The rest had intermittent abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. Two patients died (17%). CONCLUSIONS: EPS is a serious complication of PD, which should be suspected in any patient with compatible clinical symptoms, long time on PD, multiple episodes of peritonitis and high peritoneal transport profile.

Diagnóstico y seguimiento de 12 casos de peritonitis esclerosante asociada a diálisis peritoneal crónica en Chile: Experience in 12 patients on peritoneal dialysis / Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

Background: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) with a low prevalence but high mortality. It is characterized by peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis with subsequent development of intestinal encapsulation. It is associated with a long lapse on PD, frequent episodes of peritonitis, high glucose solution use, and high peritoneal transport status. Aim: To report the clinical features of patients on PD, who developed EPS. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of 12 patients aged 43 ± 10 years (eight women) who developed EPS. Results: The mean time spent on PD was 98 months. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain in 82% and ultrafiltration failure in 63%. In 92%, there was a history of peritonitis and 75% had high peritoneal transport at the time of diagnosis. The main findings in computed tomography were peritoneal calcification and thickening. There was a biopsy compatible with the diagnosis in 10 cases. Treatment consisted in withdrawal from PD, removal of PD catheter and the use of corticoids and tamoxifen. After withdrawal from PD 50% of patients became asymptomatic. The rest had intermittent abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. Two patients died (17%). Conclusions: EPS is a serious complication of PD, which should be suspected in any patient with compatible clinical symptoms, long time on PD, multiple episodes of peritonitis and high peritoneal transport profile.

[Emphysematous cystitis: report of one case]. / Caso clínico: cistitis enfisematosa asociada a hidronefrosis secundaria.

We report a 53 year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, presenting with progressive abdominal pain lasting three weeks, associated with lower abdominal swelling and fever. Clinical examination showed a large increase in abdominal volume, contraction of extracellular compartment, and signs of severe sepsis. Computed tomography showed an over-distended bladder with severe wall and luminal pneumatosis and bilateral hydronephrosis. The diagnosis was of emphysematous cystitis associated to hydronephrosis. Urine and blood cultures were positive for multi-susceptible Escherichia coli. Clinical evolution was favorable after 6 weeks of ceftriaxone and urinary catheter use. Emphysematous cystitis is a rare clinical entity, with an associated mortality of 7%. Known predisposing factors are older age, female gender and presence of diabetes. Microbiological agents most frequently involved are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (80% of cases). Medical treatment is preferred and is based on urinary tract decompression with a bladder catheter, and prolonged broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy.

Caso clínico: cistitis enfisematosa asociada a hidronefrosis secundaria / Emphysematous cystitis: Report of one case

We report a 53 year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, presenting with progressive abdominal pain lasting three weeks, associated with lower abdominal swelling and fever. Clinical examination showed a large increase in abdominal volume, contraction of extracellular compartment, and signs of severe sepsis. Computed tomography showed an over-distended bladder with severe wall and luminal pneumatosis and bilateral hydronephrosis. The diagnosis was of emphysematous cystitis associated to hydronephrosis. Urine and blood cultures were positive for multi-susceptible Escherichia coli. Clinical evolution was favorable after 6 weeks of ceftriaxone and urinary catheter use. Emphysematous cystitis is a rare clinical entity, with an associated mortality of 7%. Known predisposing factors are older age, female gender and presence of diabetes. Microbiological agents most frequently involved are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (80% of cases). Medical treatment is preferred and is based on urinary tract decompression with a bladder catheter, and prolonged broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy.

[Study of aerobic capacity in chronic hemodialized patients: effect of L-carnitine supplementation]. / Estudio exploratorio de la capacidad aerobia en pacientes en hemodiálisis: efecto de la suplementación con L-carnitina.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic hemodialyzed patients have a low level of aerobic capacity, caused by the pathologies concomitant to renal insufficiency, according with a low level of physical activity. One of the factors that would contribute to this level of aerobic capacity is the L-carnitine deficit on skeletal muscle. However, the value of the supplementation of L-carnitine to improve the physical fitness has been controversial. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the administration of L-carnitine on VO2 max in hemodialyzed patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 21 patients (20-50 years old) on a program of chronic hemodialysis was studied. During 12 weeks, 13 of them received L-carnitine, 7 men and 6 women, 38.8 (9.5) years old; BMI 24.2 (2.1) Kg/m2; 8 of them received placebo, 4 men and 4 women, 35.8 (11.4) years old; BMI 24.5 (5.8) Kg/m2. RESULTS: There was an increase in VO2 peak on L-carnitine group from 16.3 (2.8) mL x Kg(-1) x min(-1) to 19.5 (3.3) mL x Kg(-1) x min(-1), and the same was seen in the placebo group (increase in VO2 peak from 14.8 (3.8) mL x Kg(-1) x min(-1) to 18.9 (4.8) mL x Kg(-1) x min(-1)). The L-carnitine and placebo groups did not show statistical differences at the end of this study (all values above p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this group of patients, the intravenous supplementation of L-carnitine during 12 weeks did not have an impact on the improvement of the VO2 peak.

[Albumin dialysis MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) as a bridge for liver transplantation in acute liver failure. Report of three cases]. / Diálisis con albúmina MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) como puente para el trasplante hepático en insuficiencia hepática fulminante: presentación de 3 casos.

The most successful therapy for acute liver failure is liver transplantation. However, due to the low number of donors, organ support therapies need to be used as a bridge to liver transplantation. Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System (MARS) is a dialysis treatment that uses a recirculating dialysate containing albumin. This allows the removal of both hydrosoluble and albumin-related substances. This system improves hepatic encephalopathy, renal dysfunction and some clinical parameters in acute liver failure, but there is no clear decrease in mortality. We report three women aged 23, 21 and 61 years, that were subjected to liver transplantation, in whom this therapy was successfully used.

[Intestinal necrosis as clinical presentation of Takayasu arteritis]. / Necrosis intestinal como presentación de enfermedad de Takayasu.

A 32 years old female was admitted to hospital due to acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and liquid stools. Physical examination was normal except for pain on her left inferior abdominal quadrant without peritoneal irritation signs. An abdominal CAT-scan suggested thrombosis at celiac trunk, although the echo Doppler showed no alterations except for signs of ischemia in the distal branch of the superior mesenteric artery. An exploratory laparotomy was performed disclosing a necrosis of the distal ileum and cecum, diffuse peritonitis and thrombosis of the ileocecoapendiculocolic artery. No vasculitis lesions were found in the arteries of medium size examined. A history of intermittent claudication for the past 3 years as well as acrocyanosis, asymmetry of pulses and blood pressure in the superior extremities was ascertained after the surgery. A MRI angiogram showed multiple stenoses and irregularities at the celiac trunk, hepatic, superior mesenteric and fibular arteries. No abnormalities at the aortic arch and its main branches were documented. A sepsis due to Candida sp complicated her postoperative period. After recovery, prednisone 1 mg/kg/day was started and the anticoagulation continued. The abdominal pain, intermittent claudication and superior limb acrocyanosis disappeared. This is an unusual case of type IV Takayasu's arteritis with acute abdominal signs as the first manifestation.

[Community acquired pneumonia. Report of 8 cases of severe pneumonia by serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophila in Chile]. / Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Comunicación de 8 casos de neumonía grave por Legionella pneumophila serogrupo 1 en Chile.

Legionella pneumophila is the second cause of severe community acquired pneumonia. In Chile, however, there are few reports of pneumonia caused by Legionella. We report eight patients (6 men, aged 42 to 72 years old) with community-acquired pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, confirmed by the measurement of urinary antigen. Clinical presentation was characterized by fever or hypothermia (in one case), cough, dyspnea and neurological abnormalities in four patients. Cigarette smoking was the most frequently identified risk factor. All patients had at least one American Thoracic Society severity criteria. Complications observed were acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in seven patients, shock in four, renal failure in four and need for mechanical ventilation in three. No patient died.