Rio de La Plata study: a multicenter, cross-sectional study on cardiovascular risk factors and heart failure prevalence in peritoneal dialysis patients in Argentina and Uruguay.

A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of heart failure (HF) and the associated cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in 298 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients from Argentina and Uruguay, representing almost 30% of the total number of PD patients in the two countries. Bidimensional echocardiography, electrocardiography, and biochemical analysis were performed. Systolic HF was defined as an ejection fraction <50%. According to echocardiography, 84.6% showed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), 38.3% valvular heart disease, and 35.4% valvular calcification, whereas 20% showed intraventricular conduction disturbances on the electrocardiogram. The prevalence of CV risk factors was of 73% hypertension, 51% sedentarism, 18% diabetes, 16.8% obesity, 12% smokers, 42.3% phosphorus >5.5 mg per 100 ml, 42.3% parathyroid hormone>300 pg ml(-1), and 29.6% calcium phosphate product >55. The prevalence of systolic HF was 9.9%, being significantly associated with diabetes: odds ratio (OR)=4.11 (P<0.006) and hypoalbuminemia: OR=3.45 (P<0.011). Forty percent of patients with a diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction at the time of the study were asymptomatic. Variables associated with LVH in the multivariate analysis were anemia (OR=4.06; P<0.001) and previous hemodialysis (OR=1.99; P<0.031). The identification of reversible risk factors associated to HF and the diagnosis of asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction in this PD population will lead our efforts to establish guidelines for prevention and early treatment of congestive HF in patients on PD.

Renal transplantation in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and admission to hemodialysis, and the demand for kidney transplantation in this population has increased. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical aspects and survival of diabetic patients with kidney transplants by comparing them with the nondiabetic population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients transplanted during the period from 1994 to 2003 were evaluated for this study. The transplant and demographic characteristics were analyzed by the chi-square test and Student t test according to the type of variable. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to evaluate the graft and patient survival. RESULTS: From a total of 523 consecutive renal transplants, 35 (6.6%) were diabetics who were older than nondiabetics (47 +/- 11 years vs 37 +/- 16, P < .002). Patients received immunosuppression with cyclosporine (84.3%), tacrolimus (11.2%), azathioprine (46.6%), mycophenolate mofetil (43.5%), and steroids (all patients). The diabetic patients had a higher percentage of living donors (33.5% vs 17.2%; P = .04). Graft survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 82.7%, 70.9%, and 63.0% in the diabetic patients and 87.6%, 79.0%, and 72.5% (P = .6) in the nondiabetic patients. Patient survival at 5 years was 90.5% in diabetic patients vs 89.0% in nondiabetic patients (P = .9). CONCLUSIONS: No differences were found in our series in transplant complications or survival in the diabetic patients compared with the nondiabetic patients. Kidney transplants, even with living donors, must be offered to well-selected diabetic patients without reservations.

[Biochemical and histological spectrum of renal osteodystrophy in Argentina]. / Espectro bioquímico e histológico de la osteodistrofia renal en Argentina.

Between 1994-2001 we have performed 57 bone biopsies for diagnostic purposes in symptomatic CRF patients. We analyzed here 52 samples where the material was optimal for study, and divided them into 2 periods according to when the biopsy was performed: 1994-1996 and 1997-2001, to verify changes in the spectrum of renal osteodystrophy. Mean serum values were: serum calcium 9.9 +/- 1.8 mg/dl, phosphate 5.8 +/- 3.2 mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase 693.9 +/- 968.9 Ul/L, iPTH 562.0 +/- 598.5 pg/ml, serum aluminum 65.7 +/- 79.3 ug/L and bone aluminum 22.8 +/- 22.4 ug/g. Hyperparathyroidism was the most common histological diagnosis as severe in 13 patients (25%), or as mild in 14 (27%). Ten patients had osteomalacia (19%), adynamic bone disease was diagnosed in 5 (9.6%) and mixed renal osteodystrophy in 10 (19.2%). Low bone turnover patients showed higher bone and serum aluminum than high bone turnover patients. We observed a relative increment in high turnover bone disease in the later period (1997-2001) without changes in low turnover bone disease. These data showed a high prevalence of hyperparathyroidism and aluminum-related low turnover bone disease, with no significant changes between the two time-periods analyzed here.

[Actuarial survival analysis of patients in dialysis]. / Analísis de supervivencia actuarial de pacientes en dialísis.

The survival rate of our end stage renal disease (ESRD) population was calculated by means of actuarial survival curves. A total of 167 patients undergoing hemodialysis or CAPD during the 1977-1991 period were studied. They had been treated and closely followed for at least three months. Mean age for starting dialysis was 40.6 +/- 17 years; 107 (64%) were males and 60 (36%) females. Glomerulonephritis (25%), diabetes (14%) and nephroangiosclerosis (12%) were the primary causes of ESRD. Survival rates were analysed by actuarial curves as designed by Kaplan and Meier. Statistical significance between curves was calculated with the Log Rank test. The level of significance considered was below 0.05. Multivariate analysis of survival was performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Survival rates were in all cases expressed for the 1 degree, 5 degree and 10 degree year. They were for the whole group of 89%, 63%, and 38% respectively. When analysed according to their age: those under 30 years; between 30 and 50 and over 50 years old (at time to start dialysis); survival rates were of 97%, 86%, and 81% for the first group; 89%, 66% and 29% for the second group, and 85%, 44%, and 10% for the third group. Significant differences were found between the first and second group (p < 0.025); the first and the third group (p < 0.001) and second and third group (p < 0.001) (Fig. 4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The prevalence of anti-hepatitis virus C antibodies in chronic hemodialysis patients]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-hepatitis por virus C en hemodializados crónicos.

Liver involvement with a variety of viral diseases is a frequent finding in chronic renal failure patients on regular hemodialysis treatment. We evaluated the prevalence of IgG anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (HVC) in our dialysis unit, looking for risk factors associated with seropositivity and we assessed the type and degree of liver involvement by means of a liver biopsy in those patients with biochemical abnormalities of liver function test. We studied 50 patients aged 13 to 77 years, and performed serial determinations of serum ALT (UI/L). IgG anti HVC was determined by a second generation ELISA Kit (Abbot). We retrieved information from chart review and patient interview, regarding: time on hemodialysis, number of blood transfusions and intravenous IV drug use off dialysis. Liver biopsy specimens were stained with H.E. and Masson and findings were classified as chronic persistent, chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis, according to Schewer. We compared the findings with those of other patients with liver dysfunction and positive IgG anti HVC who did not have renal failure. Anti-HVC prevalence in our hemodialysis patients was 44%. Anti-HVC seropositive hemodialysed (HD) patients were not different from seronegative HD patients, with regard to age, sex, i.v. drugs usage and peak ALT values. Twelve of 22 HVC positive patients had peak ALT values higher than 40 UI/L (Table 2). Time in HD (75.5 +/- 42.8 m) and number of blood transfusions received (35.3 +/- 28) were clearly different in HVC positive patients, compared to HVC negatives. Histologically, 11 seropositive patients showed chronic persistent hepatitis as the most frequent finding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Short- and long-term outcomes of every graft recovered during a multi-organ procurement procedure including the intestine.

BACKGROUND: The development of intestinal transplant (Tx) programs introduces thymoglobulin donor treatment as well as an almost complete warm dissection of the abdominal organs to allocate them to different recipients. Our aim is to assess the reproducibility and feasibility of the surgical technique of multi-organ procurement with the use of thymoglobulin donor pre-treatment and report the short- and long-term outcomes of every graft harvested as part of multi-organ procurement (MTOp), including the intestine. METHODS: Data were collected of all organs harvested from MTOp, including the intestines allocated to our center from March 2006 to July 2011. Data from 92 recipients and 116 organs procured from 29 MTOp were analyzed. Twelve hearts, 2 lungs, and 1 cardio-pulmonary block were transplanted; primary graft dysfunction developed in 4 of the 12 hearts and in the cardio-pulmonary block. RESULTS: The survival rate was 75% and 100% for hearts and lungs, respectively. Nineteen livers, 9 kidney-pancreas, 19 kidneys, and 29 intestines were transplanted. Delayed graft function (DGF) of the pancreas developed in 3 of 9 kidney-pancreas, and the other 3 exhibited DGF of the kidney; 4 of 19 Tx kidneys had DGF. The survival was 84%, 78%, 95%, and 65.5% for livers, kidney-pancreas, kidneys, and intestines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Organs procured during MTOp including the intestine can be safely used, increasing organ availability and transplant applicability without compromising allocation, quality, and long-term results of the non-intestinal-procured organs.

Expanded criteria donors, histological scoring, and prolonged cold ischemia: impact on renal graft survival.

The use of expanded donors or kidneys with preexistent chronic damage remains controversial, but they offer the opportunity to expand the donor pool. We investigated the impact of these conditions as predictors of graft survival among a cohort of recipients with prolonged cold ischemia times and a high incidence of delayed graft function. We included 70 consecutive cadaveric kidney allografts implanted between 2001 and 2005, which had undergone an early graft biopsy. Delayed graft function was present in 84% of cases with moderate or severe preexistent chronic damage in 63% and 27% of biopsies, respectively, and acute rejection was diagnosed in 14.3% of overall cases. The graft survival was 73.3% at 48 months. Primary nonfunctioning kidneys were more frequent using kidneys from expanded compared with standard donors (20.0% vs 0.0%, P < .002). Multivariate analysis showed that only the donor condition (standard vs expanded) was independently associated with graft survival (hazard ratio: 0.12; 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.87; P < .03). Our results suggested that the donor characteristics prevail over other variables to predict graft outcomes.

Thrombophilic mutations: no association with thrombotic events in renal transplant recipients.

Factor V Leiden and mutation of prothrombin gene G20210A have been associated with poor results in the early post-kidney transplantation period. Its long-term importance in stable patients has yet to be evaluated. We studied the prevalence of these inherited mutations and their relationship to thrombotic events in 82 Argentine renal transplant recipients with adequate long-term kidney function. In aggregate, 7.2% of patients were carriers of these mutations; however, their presence did not show any association with thrombotic events or renal function alterations. The routine evaluation for these mutations does not seem to be cost-effective in renal transplant patients.

Time course and functional correlates of post-transplant aluminium elimination.

Urinary excretion of aluminium after a successful transplant can reverse pre-transplant aluminium intoxication. We have evaluated the time course of urinary aluminium excretion and its correlation with several parameters of renal function and mineral metabolism in 49 patients (33 men and 16 women) with a wide range of pre-transplant serum aluminium concentrations, performing sequential determinations at pre-transplant time and at 7, 30, 60, and 90 post-transplant days. Mean serum aluminium at pre-transplant was 54.5+/-46.8 microg/l decreasing progressively to 28.7+/-24.4 microg/l at 90 days (P<0.0002), paralleling the decrease in serum creatinine. Urinary aluminium decreased from 63.0+/-77.9 to 52.4+/-55.9 microg/l at 90 days (P<0.0001). The maximum urinary aluminium/creatinine was 1.8+/-2.7 at 7 days and was associated with the greatest fractional excretion of sodium (4.7+/-5.1%), and the lowest tubular reabsorption of phosphate (55.7+/-25.1%). The fractional excretion of aluminium was also greatest at day 7 (1.1+/-0.9%) when serum creatinine was still elevated (3.6+/-2.3 mg/dl). At each period of time after transplantation fractional excretion of aluminium was similar in all patients despite disparate serum aluminium concentrations. Fractional excretion of aluminium was highest in those patients who developed post-Tx acute tubular necrosis (0.7+/-0.5 vs 1.5+/-1.0%, P=0.008). We found a direct positive correlation (r=0.43; P<0.002) between urinary aluminium and urinary phosphate. Basal levels and sequential changes in serum PTH, calcium, and phosphate did not correlated with fractional excretion of aluminium. These findings suggest: (i) urinary aluminium remains elevated during prolonged periods after transplant and is probably a marker of pre-transplant tissue aluminium accumulation; (ii) post-transplant fractional excretion of aluminium seems to correlated positively with other evidences of renal tubular dysfunction. Early post-transplant tubular malfunction could significantly enhance urinary aluminium elimination.

Infección urinaria temprana en trasplante renal. Factores de riesgo y efecto en la sobrevida del injerto / Early urinary tract infection in kidney transplantation. Risk factors and impact on graft survival

The early urinary tract infection (EUTI) in kidney transplant recipients is an infection develop during the first 3 months post transplant surgery. The effect of EUTI on graft survival and risk factors have been scarcely studied. Our objetives were the evaluation of risk factors to EUTI, the assessment of the causal agent and graft survival impact. A retrospective analysis of kidney transplantation, period 1997-2000 in Hospital Privado-Centro Médico de Córdoba was carried out. There were two groups of patients with (EUTI group) and without EUTI (control group). Cox model was used to analyze risk factors and Kaplan-Meier method for graft survival. A total of 226 consecutive patients received kidney transplantation. In 55 patients (24.3%) EUTI was detected. Risk factors for EUTI were: invasive urological maneuvers (RR = 4.34, CI 95% 1.42-13.21), diabetes mellitus (RR = 3.79, CI 95% 1.42-10.14), cytomegalovirus infection (RR = 2.9, CI 95% 1.02-8.24) and previous transplants (RR = 2.83, CI 95% 1.08-7.45). Delayed graft function was associated with lower incidence of EUTI (RR = 0.38, CI 95% 0.15-0.94). The causal agents were: Klebsiella pneumoniae (36%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24%) and Escherichia coli (9%). Graft survival at 2 years was similar in EUTI (87.2%) and control group (81.2%, p = 0.32). This series shows that invasive urological maneuvers were the main risk factors for EUTI. Graft survival was similar. High prevalence of non coli bacteria need further evaluation.

La infección urinaria temprana del injerto (IUTI), definida como infección urinaria sintomática en los primeros 3 meses del trasplante, su efecto sobre la sobrevida del injerto y los factores de riesgo han sido poco estudiados. Los objetivos del presente análisis fueron conocer factores de riesgo para IUTI,analizar agentes causantes e impacto en la sobrevida del injerto. En forma retrospectiva se analizaron pacientesque recibieron trasplante renal durante 1997-2000 en el Hospital Privado – Centro Médico de Córdoba. Sedividió en dos grupos de pacientes, según presencia (grupo IUTI) o ausencia (grupo control) de IUTI. Los factores de riesgo se analizaron con el modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox y la sobrevida del injerto con elmétodo de Kaplan-Meier. Recibieron trasplante renal 226 pacientes consecutivos. La IUTI se presentó en 55(24.3%). Factores de riesgo asociados con IUTI: antecedentes de maniobras urológicas invasivas (RR=4.34,IC 95% 1.42-13.21), diabetes mellitus (RR=3.79, IC 95% 1.42-10.14), infección por citomegalovirus (RR=2.9,IC 95% 1.02-8.24) y antecedente de trasplante previo (RR=2.83, IC 95% 1.08-7.45). El retardo en la función delinjerto (RR=0.38, IC 95% 0.15-0.94) se asoció con menor incidencia de IUTI. Agentes más frecuentes: Klebsiellapneumoniae (36%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24%) y Escherichia coli (9%). La sobrevida del injerto a los 2años en el grupo IUTI (87.2%) no fue diferente del control (81.2%, P = 0.32). En esta serie las maniobras urológicas invasivas fueron el principal factor de riesgo asociado a IUTI. No hubo disminución de la sobrevida del injerto asociada a IUTI. La alta prevalencia de uropatógenos no coli requiere mayor evaluación