A nephrologist dream of peritoneal dialysis catheter with zero migration: A multicenter prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: PD catheter tip migration is a common complication and a significant cause of catheter malfunction. In this perspective, we present our experience with a new catheter and a new technique that involves the use of a new triple cuff PD catheter and a low entry site in an attempt to prevent PD catheter migration. METHODS: A total of 503 incident PD patients have been studied in more than one PD center over a period of 5 years. RESULTS: During the 5-year follow up we recorded zero percent catheter migration. Other technical complications were poor drainage in 3.4%, omental wrap in 2.8%, early leakage in 3.4%, and catheter replacement in 2.4%. By the end of the study, the one-year PD catheter survival was 97.6%. CONCLUSION: Our new triple cuff PD catheter and our low-entry approach seem to be effective in preventing PD catheter migration and minimizing other mechanical complications.

Patients' awareness of their rights: An insight from a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Knowledge and awareness of patients' rights are essential to reach the highest quality of care. In 2006, the Saudi Arabian government formulated "The Patients' Bill of Rights" to ensure that healthcare delivery is at its highest standard. Despite their efforts, several studies revealed patients' lack of awareness. In this study, we aim to investigate the patients' awareness of their rights according to the policy of a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted where the participants (n= 384) were in-patients and out-patients of a tertiary care teaching hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Informed consent was obtained, and confidentiality was maintained. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package Social Software version 26. RESULTS: Most of the participants were males (70.1%), in-patients (63.3%), and Saudi nationals (84.5%) with a mean age of 32 years. The mean awareness score was satisfactory (>7/14). However, more than half of the participants were unaware of their right to know the risks and benefits of treatment (55.1%), to know the identity of their healthcare providers (61.9%), to deny participation in research (58%), and appoint a healthcare proxy (64.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the lack of awareness of certain aspects of patients' rights that require action in the means of hospital awareness campaigns and educational materials. Further research is required to generalize a consensus on the Saudi population's level of awareness and consequent steps to optimize the delivery of healthcare in the country.

Factors Contributing to Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis: Comparing Triple Cuff Saudi Catheter to Double Cuff Tenckhoff Catheter: A 12-Year Observational Study.

Very few detailed descriptive studies focusing on peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been published. Most of the current information is available through from either study with the limited number of patients or isolated case reports. We conducted an observational study of our PD-peritonitis database over the past 12 years to study the clinical profile and the outcomes of peritonitis episodes in our PD center. A total of 1123 patients (male: 59.5%) with 319 episodes of peritonitis were identified. Of the patients, 130 (11.6%) were considered immunocompromised (steroid use, failed renal transplant, systemic lupus erythematosus, malignancy) and 468 (41.7%) had diabetes mellitus. The total number of bacterial peritonitis episodes was 319; of these 226 (70.8%) were seen with double cuff Tenckhoff PD catheter and 93 (29.2%) occurred with triple-cuff Saudi PD catheter (P = 0.0001). Of all peritonitis episodes 170 (53.3%) episodes were caused by a single Gram-positive organism, 124 (38.9%) episodes by a single Gram-negative organism, and 25 (7.8%) were polymicrobial. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were responsible for most cases of Gram-positive peritonitis (n = 110, 64.7%), while Escherichia coli was the causative organism in 67 (54.0%) of the single Gram-negative episodes. Peritonitis episodes due to Gram-positive organisms had a better outcome than those caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Fifteen (4.7%) of the 319 episodes resulted in death in 13 patients. In 79 (24.8%) episodes, the patients had to be transferred to hemodialysis because of unresolved peritonitis. Resolution rate was 75.2% (240 episodes) which was influenced by PD catheter type, PD duration and the number of days peritoneal fluid effluent remained above 100 cells/µL. Other modifiable and non-modifiable factors had no effect on the resolution rate. Peritonitis episodes due to Gram-positive organisms had a better outcome than those with Gram-negative or polymicrobial etiology. Peritonitis resolution rates were worse with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Diabetes, current steroid use, and exit-site/tunnel infections seemed to have limited influence on the peritonitis outcome. Type of PD catheter (double Tenckhoff vs triple-cuff Saudi catheter), duration of PD and the number of days peritoneal fluid effluent remained >100 cells/µL were the only factors with significant effects on the outcome.

Successfully treating three patients with acute kidney injury secondary to COVID-19 by peritoneal dialysis: Case report and literature review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease that increased the burden on health-care system. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 74,795 cases have been reported until 26 May 2020 and the number of cases is rapidly increasing. The mortality rate of COVID-19 worldwide is 6.37%. Here we report three cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to pneumonia of severe COVID-19; they were treated with automated peritoneal dialysis (PD) with full recovery. To the best of our knowledge, few reports in the literature have discussed the use of PD in AKI secondary to COVID-19.

Tidal peritoneal dialysis versus ultrafiltration in type 1 cardiorenal syndrome: A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrafiltration is an alternative strategy to diuretic therapy for the treatment of patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Little is known about the efficacy and safety of peritoneal dialysis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure complicated by acute cardiorenal syndrome. METHODS: We randomly assigned a total of 88 patients with type 1 acute cardiorenal syndrome to a strategy of ultrafiltration therapy (44 patients) or tidal peritoneal dialysis (44 patients). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in the serum creatinine level and left ventricular function represented as ejection fraction, as assessed 72 and 120 h after random assignment. Patients were followed for 90 days after discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: Ultrafiltration therapy was inferior to tidal peritoneal dialysis therapy with respect to the primary endpoint of the change in the serum creatinine levels at 72 and 120 h (p = 0.041) and ejection fraction at 72 and 120 h after enrollment (p = 0.044 and p = 0.032), owing to both an increase in the creatinine level in the ultrafiltration therapy group and a decrease in its level in the tidal peritoneal dialysis group. At 120 h, the mean change in the creatinine level was 1.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL in the ultrafiltration therapy group, as compared with 2.4 ± 1.3 mg/dL in the tidal peritoneal dialysis group (p = 0.023). At 72 and 120 h, there was a significant difference in weight loss between patients in the ultrafiltration therapy group and those in the tidal peritoneal dialysis group (p = 0.025). Net fluid loss was also greater in tidal peritoneal dialysis patients (p = 0.018). Adverse events were more observed in the ultrafiltration therapy group (p = 0.007). At 90 days post-discharge, tidal peritoneal dialysis patients had fewer rehospitalization for heart failure (14.3% vs 32.5%, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Tidal peritoneal dialysis is a safe and effective means for removing toxins and large quantities of excess fluid from patients with intractable heart failure. In patients with cardiorenal syndrome type 1, the use of tidal peritoneal dialysis was superior to ultrafiltration therapy for the preservation of renal function, improvement of cardiac function, and net fluid loss. Ultrafiltration therapy was associated with a higher rate of adverse events.

Acute renal infarction induced by heavy marijuana smoking.

Acute renal infarction usually occurs in patients with severe atherosclerosis or valvular heart disease. We here report a 42-year Saudi male who presented with severe abdominal pain nausea and vomiting associated with hematuria, after heavy smoking of marijuana. Computed tomography abdomen revealed bilateral renal infarction. Serum anti phospholipids antibody and anti-cardio lipid antibody were positive. To the best of our knowledge, the association between marijuana and secondary lupus anticoagulant-induced renal infarction has not been reported previously.

Sarcoidosis with multiple organ involvement associated with necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis.

We report a case of a young Saudi male who presented with generalized body weakness and easy fatigability associated with fever, night sweating, loss of weight and appetite, and renal impairment. He was diagnosed as a case of sarcoidosis, and renal biopsy report was consistent with necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN). Immunosuppressive medication was started to help halting the progression to renal failure and stabilize renal function. To the best of our knowledge, the association between sarcoidosis and crescentic GN has been reported in only few cases in literature.

Peritoneal Dialysis in Adult Patients with Permanent Suprapubic Catheter: A Single-Center Experience and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to review the feasibility of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the presence of a permanent suprapubic catheter over a long follow-up period. METHODS: Twelve patients with automated PD and permanent suprapubic catheters were studied for complications over a period of 10 years. RESULTS: In all 12 patients, PD went smoothly. Two of our patients required removal of the PD catheter due to peritonitis. The overall rate of exit-site infection throughout the study was 41.7/patient-month and the difference between patients 60 years or older and those 25 years or younger was not significant (p = 0.3673). The overall peritonitis rate for all patients was 38.3 episode/patient-month, and none of the patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) had peritonitis. All patients with episodes of infection responded well to the proper antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: The available data supported the feasibility of PD in patients with permanent suprapubic catheters; however, a greater number of patients with a longer follow-up period need to be studied to support our results.

Milk-Alkali syndrome induced by H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Milk-Alkali syndrome (MAS) consists of a triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and acute renal failure. We hereby report a 75-year-old Indian gentleman who presented to our emergency department with a history of generalized weakness and easy fatigability. Investigations were consistent with MAS secondary to calcium carbonate and calcitriol treatment to prevent osteoporosis, aggravated by H1N1 influenza vaccine. The patient was treated with hemodialysis and zoledronate. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of such association in the literature.

Successful treatment of acute renal failure secondary to complicated infective endocarditis by peritoneal dialysis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is one of the most common infections among intravenous drug addicts. Its complications can affect many systems, and these can include acute renal failure. There is a scarcity of cases in the literature related to acute renal failure secondary to infective endocarditis treated with peritoneal dialysis. In this paper, the case of a 48-year-old Saudi male is reported, who presented with features suggestive of infective endocarditis and who developed acute kidney injury that was treated successfully with high tidal volume automated peritoneal dialysis. To our knowledge, this is the second report of such an association in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old Saudi gentleman diagnosed to have a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and hepatitis C infection for the last 9 years, presented to the emergency department with a history of fever of 2 days' duration. On examination: his temperature = 41 °C, there was clubbing of the fingers bilaterally and a pansystolic murmur in the left parasternal area. The results of the blood cultures and echocardiogram were supportive of the diagnosis of infective endocarditis, and the patient subsequently developed acute kidney injury, and his creatinine reached 5.2 mg/dl, a level for which dialysis is essential for the patient to survive. CONCLUSION: High tidal volume automated peritoneal dialysis is highly effective as a renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure secondary to infective endocarditis if no contraindication is present.

Colonoscopy in automated peritoneal dialysis patients: value of prophylactic antibiotics: a prospective study on a single antibiotic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for prophylactic antibiotics in automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients undergoing flexible colonoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 93 patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy were enrolled in a prospective, randomized study. Patients were randomized into 2 age- and sex-matched groups; group A (46 patients) with intraperitoneal (IP) ceftazidime prior to colonoscopy and group B (47 patients) without prophylactic antibiotics. The relations between peritonitis and different parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Of all colonoscopies, 60.2% showed normal findings, 17.2% with colonic polyps at different sites, 12.9% with angiodysplastic-like lesions, 5.4% with colonic ulcer(s), 3.2% with diverticulae without diverticulitis and 1.1% had transverse colon stricture. Post-colonoscopy peritonitis was documented in 3 (6.5%) and 4 (8.5%) patients in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.2742); the causative organisms were mainly gram negative bacteria. Polypectomy was not associated with increased peritonitis episodes. By multiple logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus was the only independent variable that entered into the best predictive equation over the development of post-colonoscopy peritonitis but not antibiotic use. CONCLUSIONS: The relation between prophylactic antibiotic use prior to colonoscopy in APD patients and the risk of peritonitis was lacking. Only diabetes mellitus appears to be of significance. Polypectomy did not increase peritonitis episodes.

The Phantom of Metformin-Induced Lactic Acidosis in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: Time to Reconsider with Peritoneal Dialysis Treatment.

♦ OBJECTIVE: Metformin continues to be the safest and most widely used antidiabetic drug. In spite of its well-known benefits; metformin use in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is still restricted. Little has been reported about the effect of peritoneal dialysis (PD) on metformin clearance and the phantom of lactic acidosis deprives ESRD patients from metformin therapeutic advantages. Peritoneal dialysis is probably a safeguard against lactic acidosis, and it is likely that using this drug would be feasible in this group of patients. ♦ MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 83 PD patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. All patients were on automated PD (APD). Metformin was administered in a dose of 500 - 1,000 mg daily. Patients were monitored for glycemic control. Plasma lactic acid and plasma metformin levels were monitored on a scheduled basis. Peritoneal fluid metformin levels were measured. In addition, the relation between plasma metformin and plasma lactate was studied. ♦ RESULTS: Mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) was 10.9 ± 0.5 and 7.8 ± 0.7, and mean hemoglobin A1-C (HgA1C) was 8.2 ± 0.8 and 6.4 ± 1.1 at the beginning and end of the study, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.1 ± 4.1 and 27.3 ± 4.5 at the beginning and at the end of the study, respectively (p < 0.001). The overall mean plasma lactate level across all blood samples was 1.44 ± 0.6. Plasma levels between 2 and 3 mmol/L were found in 11.8% and levels of 3 - 3.6 mmol/L in 2.4% plasma samples. Hyperlactemia (level > 2 and ≤ 5 mmol/L) was not associated with overt acidemia. None of our patients had lactic acidosis (levels > 5 mmol/L). Age ≥ 60 was a predictor for hyperlactemia. No relationship was found between plasma metformin and lactate levels. ♦ CONCLUSION: Metformin may be used with caution in a particular group of ESRD patients who are on APD. Metformin allows better diabetic control with significant reduction of BMI. Information on the relationship between metformin and plasma lactate levels is lacking. Peritoneal dialysis appears to be a safeguard against the development of lactic acidosis in this group of patients.

Prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter infections in Saudi peritoneal dialysis patients: the emergence of high-level mupirocin resistance.

PURPOSE: Exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis remain the major causes of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study compared the effectiveness of local mupirocin ointment and gentamicin cream in preventing both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections in PD patients. METHODS: Patients from two centers (n = 203) were assigned to daily mupirocin ointment or gentamicin cream application. Infections were tracked prospectively by organisms and expressed as episodes per patient-year for both ESI and peritonitis. RESULTS: The rate of gram-positive ESI was 0.31/episode/patient-year and 0.22 episodes/patient-year (p<0.05), whereas the rate of gram-negative ESI was 0.28 episode/patient-year and 0.11 episode/patient-year (p<0.01) in the mupirocin group and gentamicin group, respectively. Gram-positive ESI occurred in 17.1% vs 10.2% of patients (p<0.05), whereas 20% of and 5.1% of patients (p<0.001) had gram-negative ESI in the 2 groups respectively. S.aureus was cultured at exit-site in the mupirocin group in 27.8% patients, 60% (16.7% of the total Gram-positive isolates) of them being with high-level mupirocin-resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured in 21.8% of ESI in the mupirocin group, and in only 6.7% in the gentamicin group (p<0.01). Peritonitis rates were lower using gentamicin cream, 0.17 episode/patient-year compared with mupirocin, 0.39 episode/patient-year (p<0.01). With multivariate analysis, only gentamicin exit-site use was a significant predictor for lower catheter infection rate. CONCLUSION: Prolonged use of mupirocin for ESI-prophylaxis is associated with the emergence of mupirocin-resistant S. aureus. Gentamicin cream is superior to mupirocin ointment in the prevention of PD catheter infections.

Conservative treatment of processus vaginalis hernia in two peritoneal dialysis patients.

Dialysate leakage represents one of the major noninfectious complications of peritoneal dialysis (PD). In some instances, dialysate leakage may lead to discontinuation of the technique. Despite its importance, the incidence, risk factors, management, and outcome of dialysate leakage are poorly characterized in the literature. Here, we report two PD patients who presented with painless scrotal swelling. Computerized peritoneography confirmed the diagnosis of processus vaginalis hernia that was treated conservatively.

Pyoderma gangrenosum in a renal transplant recipient: a case report.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an ulcerative disease of the skin of unknown etiology. Its association with infection, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, and certain drugs suggests a hypersensitivity reaction. We herewith present a renal transplant recipient who developed PG. The patient presented with multiple necrotizing skin ulcers on both the upper and lower extremities associated with malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, weight loss and low-grade fever. To our knowledge, the association between PG and renal transplant has not been reported previously.