Safety and utility of the alpha-replacer for treatment of intraluminal obstruction of peritoneal catheters by fibrin clots.

BACKGROUND: The Moncrief-Popovich technique of peritoneal catheter implantation has beneficial effects for peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation. However, it might increase the risk of peritoneal catheter obstruction by fibrin clots, because the catheter is buried under the skin for several weeks to months. Effects of treatment of intraluminal occlusion of PD catheters with tissue plasminogen activator, recommended by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis guidelines/recommendations are reportedly limited. We investigated the effectiveness of the 'alpha-replacer' (JMS, Tokyo, Japan) for PD catheter obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 193 patients in whom PD was initiated. PD catheters were embedded using the Moncrief-Popovich technique in 130 of these patients. We assessed the occurrence rates of peritoneal catheter obstruction and the utility of the alpha-replacer for treating intraluminal catheter occlusion by fibrin clots. RESULTS: Catheter obstruction occurred in eight cases with embedded catheters, one due to omental wrapping and the others due to fibrin clots, in which median catheter burial durations were 477 (interquartile range [IQR], 226-510) days. All catheter obstructions due to fibrin clots were successfully treated with the alpha-replacer, leading to improved catheter drainage. The median amount of contrast agent used in catheterography was 10 (IQR 9-10) mL, which did not adversely affect residual renal function. There were no complications. No recurrence occurred during the observation period (median 111, IQR 55.5-141 months). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that treatment with the alpha-replacer is a safe and effective treatment option for intraluminal obstruction of PD catheters by fibrin clots.

Effectiveness of countermeasure for polypharmacy by multidisciplinary team review in patients with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy in diabetes patients is related to worse clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of our countermeasure for polypharmacy, which combines a pharmacist check followed by a multidisciplinary team review in diabetic patients with polypharmacy. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted at Gifu University Hospital. Study participants included diabetic patients taking six or more drugs on admission to the diabetes ward between July 2021 and June 2022. Drugs which were discontinued by the present countermeasure were examined, and the number of drugs being taken by each patient was compared between admission and discharge. RESULTS: 102 of 308 patients were taking six or more drugs on admission. The drugs being taken by these patients were evaluated by pharmacists using a checklist for polypharmacy. Eighty-four drugs which were evaluated as inappropriate or potentially inappropriate medications by pharmacists were discontinued following the multidisciplinary team review. The median and mean number of drugs taken by the 102 patients significantly decreased from 9.0 (IQR: 8-12) and 9.26 ± 2.64 on admission to 9.0 (IQR: 6-10) and 8.42 ± 2.95 on discharge (P = 0.0002). We followed up with these patients after discontinuation of the drugs and confirmed that their clinical status had not deteriorated. CONCLUSION: The present countermeasure for polypharmacy, which combines a pharmacist check based on a checklist for evaluating polypharmacy followed by a multidisciplinary team review, was useful for reducing the number of inappropriate or potentially inappropriate medications taken by diabetes patients with polypharmacy.

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage in a case with anti-RNA polymerase III antibody-positive systemic sclerosis successfully treated with plasma exchange and corticosteroid therapy.

A 63-year-old woman was admitted because of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage complicated with systemic sclerosis. High anti-RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) antibody titre was detected despite normal blood pressure and renal function. Antibodies other than anti-RNAP III antibody were negative. After initiation of methyl-prednisolone pulse therapy, the patient developed thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) with exacerbation of respiratory failure, which required mechanical ventilation. However, renal function was preserved. We immediately started the patient on plasma exchange; subsequently, her diffuse alveolar haemorrhage and TMA dramatically improved. Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage with systemic sclerosis is generally occurred as pulmonary renal syndrome, and positive anti-RNAP III antibody is recognised as a predictive marker of scleroderma renal crisis. However, this case suggests that high anti-RNAP III antibody titre may play a role in the development of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage without scleroderma renal crisis.

A patient with arteriovenous fistula of simultaneously performed anastoplasty for excessive blood flow and graft bypass to secure an outflow tract.

INTRODUCTION: We report a case in which we performed an anastomotic part septal formation surgery (anastoplasty) and artificial blood vessel replacement surgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: When forearm arteriovenous fistula occlusion of a dialysis patient was observed, there was a thrombus in the vein of the whole forearm from the anastomotic part. We performed a septum formation surgery to suppress the blood flow in the vein near the anastomotic site, and artificial blood vessel replacement was performed on the high stenosis of the cephalic vein of the elbow. Postoperative blood flow was stable and hemodialysis was possible. Although there are various blood flow suppression methods for suppressing excessive blood flow, we report a case in which an anastomotic part septal formation surgery and artificial blood vessel replacement to secure an outflow passage were performed at the same time. CONCLUSION: Anastoplasty for excessive blood flow is considered to be an effective means in this case.