Peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis: insights from a long-term analysis of an Italian center.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis is a common and severe complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). For comparative analysis standardized definitions as well as measurements and outcomes are crucial. However, most PD-related peritonitis studies have been using heterogenous definitions and variable methods to measure outcomes. The ISPD 2022 guidelines have revised and clarified numerous definitions and proposed new peritonitis categories and outcomes. METHODS: Between 1st January 2009 and 31st May 2023, 267 patients who started PD at our institution were included in the study. All PD-related peritonitis episodes that occurred in our unit during the study period were collected. The new definitions and outcomes of ISPD 2022 recommendations were employed. RESULTS: The overall peritonitis rate was 0.25 episode/patient year. Patient cumulative probability of remaining peritonitis-free at one year was 84.2%. The medical cure and refractory peritonitis rates were equal to 70.3 and 22.4%, respectively. Culture-negative peritonitis accounted for 25.6% of all specimens. The rates of peritonitis associated death, hemodialysis transfer, catheter removal and hospitalization were 6.8%, 18.3%, 18.7% and 64.4%, respectively. Relapsing, repeat, recurrent and enteric peritonitis accounted for 7.8%, 6.8%, 4.1% and 2.7% of all episodes, respectively. Catheter insertion, catheter related and pre-PD peritonitis were 4.2, 2.1 and 0.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of PD-related peritonitis reports using standardized definitions and outcome measurements is of paramount importance to enhance clinical practice and to allow comparative studies.

Peritoneal Dialysis for Potential Kidney Transplant Recipients: Pride or Prejudice?

Kidney transplantation (KT) is recognized as the gold-standard of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that receiving a pre-emptive KT ensures the best recipient and graft survivals. However, due to an overwhelming discrepancy between the organs available and the patients on the transplant waiting list, the vast majority of transplant candidates require prolonged periods of dialysis before being transplanted. For many years, peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) have been considered competitive renal replacement therapies (RRT). This dualistic vision has recently been questioned by evidence suggesting that an individualized and flexible approach may be more appropriate. In fact, tailored and cleverly planned changes between different RRT modalities, according to the patient's needs and characteristics, are often needed in order to achieve the best results. While home HD is still under scrutiny in this particular setting, current data seems to favor the use of PD over in-center HD in patients awaiting a KT. In this specific population, the demonstrated advantages of PD are superior quality of life, longer preservation of residual renal function, lower incidence of delayed graft function, better recipient survival, and reduced cost.

Relationship between number of daily exchanges at CAPD start with clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) continues to be demanding for patients affected by kidney failure. In kidney failure patients with residual kidney function, the employment of incremental PD, a less onerous dialytic prescription, could translate into a decrease burden on both health systems and patients. METHODS: Between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2021, 182 patients who started continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at our institution were included in the study. The CAPD population was divided into three groups according to the initial number of daily CAPD exchanges prescribed: one or two (50 patients, CAPD-1/2 group), three (97 patients, CAPD-3 group) and four (35 patients, CAPD-4 group), respectively. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed a difference in term of peritonitis free survival in CAPD-1/2 in comparison to CAPD-3 (hazard ratio (HR): 2.20, p = 0.014) and CAPD-4 (HR: 2.98, p < 0.01). A tendency towards a lower hospitalisation rate (CAPD-3 and CAPD-4 vs. CAPD-1/2, p = 0.11 and 0.13, respectively) and decreased mortality (CAPD-3 and CAPD-4 vs. CAPD-1/2, p = 0.13 and 0.22, respectively) in patients who started PD with less than three daily exchanges was detected. No discrepancy of the difference of the mean values between baseline and 24 months residual kidney function was observed among the three groups (p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: One- or two-exchange CAPD start was associated with a lower risk of peritonitis in comparison to three- or four-exchange start. Furthermore, an initial PD prescription with less than three exchanges may be associated with an advantage in term of hospitalisation rate and patient survival.

Tunnel ultrasound can guide the use of peritoneal dialysis catheter exit site relocation by external splicing and cuff removal in refractory tunnel infection.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and transfer to hemodialysis (HD) in PD patients. The treatment of tunnel infection (TI) could be challenging, especially when the infection involves the superficial cuff requiring the removal of the catheter. To spare the patient the loss of the catheter and the transfer to HD, several mini-invasive surgical techniques have been proposed as rescue therapy. Furthermore, nowadays, the rapid growth of digital technology has enormously increased the diagnostic sensibility of the echo signal allowing to accurately defines the extent of the infectious process along the PD catheter tunnel. METHODS: Between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2021 seven patients who underwent exit-site relocation by external splicing and cuff removal at our institution due to refractory TI were included in the study. All patients were followed until 12 months after the procedure. As soon as TI was defined refractory to the medical therapy, an ultrasonographic examination of the catheter tunnel was performed to define the extent of the infectious episode. RESULTS: Among the 7 infectious episodes, 4 were caused by P. aeruginosa, and 3 by S. aureus. Around the superficial cuff the hypo/anechoic collections detected by ultrasounds showed a mean diameter of 3.05 ± 0.79 mm. The exit-site relocation by external splicing and cuff removal was successful in all cases (7/7, 100%). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience the use of exit site relocation by external splicing and cuff removal as rescue therapy for TI with positive ultrasounds for TI limited to superficial cuff involvement and without secondary peritonitis, yielded to promising results with a success rate of 100%. This preliminary experience underlines the paramount usefulness of tunnel echography in accurately defining the extent of TI and, consequently, guiding the choice of the therapeutical approach in refractory TI.

Utility of ultrasonographic examination in catheter-related infections in peritoneal dialysis: a clinical approach.

Peritoneal dialysis- (PD) related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy via PD. However, despite the great efforts in the prevention of PD-related infectious episodes, approximately one third of technical failures are still caused by peritonitis. Recent studies support the theory that ascribes to exit-site and tunnel infections a direct role in causing peritonitis. Hence, prompt exit site infection/tunnel infection diagnosis would allow the timely start of the most appropriate treatment, thereby decreasing the potential complications and enhancing technique survival. Ultrasound examination is a simple, rapid, non-invasive and widely available procedure for tunnel evaluation in PD catheter-related infections. In case of an exit site infection, ultrasound examination has greater sensitivity in diagnosing simultaneous tunnel infection compared to the physical exam alone. This allows distinguishing the exit site infection, which will likely respond to antibiotic therapy, from infections that are likely to be refractory to medical therapy. In case of a tunnel infection, the ultrasound allows localizing the catheter portion involved in the infectious process, thus providing significant prognostic information. In addition, ultrasound performed after two weeks of antibiotic administration allows monitoring patient response to therapy. However, there is no evidence of the usefulness of ultrasound examination as a screening tool for the early diagnosis of tunnel infections in asymptomatic PD patients.

The use of mini-invasive surgical techniques to treat refractory exit-site and tunnel infections in peritoneal dialysis patients: a clinical approach.

Peritoneal dialysis-(PD) related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on PD. Although great advances have been made in the prevention and treatment of infectious complications over the past two decades, catheter-related infections represent a significant cause of technical failure in PD. Recent studies support the role of exit-site/tunnel infections in causing peritonitis. Peritonitis secondary to tunnel infection led to catheter loss in most cases. Thus, removing the catheter when exit-site/tunnel infection is refractory to medical therapy has been recommended. This approach requires interrupting PD and, after the placement of a central venous catheter, and transferring the patient to haemodialysis. In order to continue PD, simultaneous catheter removal and replacement of the PD catheter has been suggested. Although simultaneous catheter removal and replacement avoids temporary haemodialysis, it implies the removal/reinsertion of the catheter and the immediate initiation of PD with the risk of mechanical complications, such as leakage and malfunction. Hence, several mini-invasive surgical techniques, such as curettage, cuff-shaving, removal of the superficial cuff, and partial reimplantation of the catheter, have been proposed as rescue treatments. These procedures may allow the rescue of the catheter with a success rate of 70-100%. Therefore, in case of refractory exit-site/tunnel infection, a mini-invasive surgical revision should be considered before removing the catheter.

Incremental peritoneal dialysis allows to reduce the time spent for dialysis, glucose exposure, economic cost, plastic waste and water consumption.

BACKGROUND: Incremental peritoneal dialysis (incPD) as the initial PD strategy represents a convenient and resource-sparing approach, but its impact on patient, healthcare and environment has not been thoroughly evaluated. METHODS: This study includes 147 patients who started incPD at our institution between 1st January, 2009 and 31st December, 2021. Adequacy measures, peritoneal permeability parameters, peritonitis episodes, hospitalizations and increase in CAPD dose prescriptions were recorded. The savings related to cost, patient glucose exposure, time needed to perform dialysis, plastic waste, and water usage were compared to full-dose PD treatment. RESULTS: During the study follow-up 11.9% of the patients transitioned from incremental to full dose PD. Patient cumulative probability of remaining on PD at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months was 87.6, 65.4, 46.1, 30.1 and 17.5%, respectively. The median transition time from 1 to 2 exchanges, from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 exchanges were 5, 9 and 11.8 months, respectively. Compared to full dose PD, 1, 2, and 3 exchanges per day led to reduction in glucose exposure of 20.4, 14.8 or 8.3 kg/patient-year, free lifetime gain of 18.1, 13.1 or 7.4 day/patient-year, a decrease in cost of 8700, 6300 or 3540 €/patient-year, a reduction in plastic waste of 139.2, 100.8 or 56.6 kg/patient-year, and a decline in water use of 25,056, 18,144 or 10,196 L/patient-year. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with full-dose PD, incPD allows to reduce the time spent for managing dialysis, glucose exposure, economic cost, plastic waste, and water consumption.

Simultaneous replacement and removal of the peritoneal catheter is effective in patients with refractory tunnel infections sustained by S. aureus.

BACKGROUND: In tunnel infection (TI) refractory to medical therapy or in case of TI that occurs simultaneously with peritonitis, the removal of the peritoneal catheter has been proposed. This approach requires the interruption of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the creation of a temporary vascular access. However, simultaneous removal and reinsertion of the PD catheter (SCR) represents another possible therapeutic approach. METHODS: We analysed the outcome of 20 patients (10 men and 10 women, mean age 65.5 ± 16.3 years) treated by CAPD for a mean period of 24.3 ± 14.2 months who underwent to SCR for the treatment of TI unresponsive to medical therapy or TI that occurred simultaneously with peritonitis at Fondazione Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico. All the patients restarted CAPD exchanges within 24 h from catheter placement. RESULTS: SCR was successful in 80% (16/20) of the cases. In particular, SCR was effective in 100% (11/11) of the TI with or without associated peritonitis sustained by S. aureus. However, SCR failed in 57% (4/7) of TI associated with relapsing peritonitis and in one patient with TI secondary to Enterobacter. No early mechanical complications (within 3 months after SCR) occurred when CAPD was restarted. CONCLUSIONS: SCR of the PD catheter through double-purse string technique represents an effective treatment for TI without or with simultaneously peritonitis sustained by S. aureus avoiding the patient the need for temporary hemodialysis and second surgical procedure. However, SCR could be contraindicated in case of relapsing peritonitis.

Simultaneous removal and replacement of the peritoneal catheter in CAPD patient with refractory peritonitis sustained by P. aeruginosa: A case-report.

Pseudomonas peritonitis is often severe and associated with less than 50% complete cure rate, often requiring catheter removal, and transfer to HD. International guidelines recommend that peritoneal catheter should be removed if peritoneal dialysis (PD) effluent does not clear after 5 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy defining the episode as refractory peritonitis. To avoid the shift to hemodialysis (HD), the simultaneous removal and replacement of the peritoneal catheter (SCR) has been employed to treat recurrent peritonitis or tunnel infections associated with peritonitis, obtaining satisfactory outcomes. However, the use of SCR is still controversial in refractory episodes. At present there is growing evidence that refractory peritonitis can be sustained by bacterial adherence along the intraperitoneal portion of the catheter, especially when Pseudomonas species are involved. We describe a case of refractory peritonitis sustained by P. aeruginosa that after a partial response to antibiotics has been successfully treated by SCR.

Analysis of mechanical complications in urgent-start peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an excellent, but underutilized dialysis technique. Thus, its implementation may depend also on the chance to offer this modality of treatment to patients referred late to the nephologists. This approach has recently been named "urgent-start peritoneal dialysis" (UPD). The main barrier to this practice is represented by the fear of early mechanical complications. METHODS: All prevalent patients needing urgent-start PD at our institution between 1 January, 2009 and 31 December, 2019 were included in the study. During this period, 242 peritoneal catheters were inserted in 222 patients. In all patients, an anti-leakage/dislocation suture was made. PD was started within 24 h from catheter placement. RESULTS: The early incidence of leakages, catheter dislocations, omental wrappings, bleedings, peritonitis and exit-site infections was 11/242 (4.5%), 5/242 (2%), 3/242 (1.2%), 2/242 (0.8%), 6/242 (2.5%) and 4/242 (1.6%), respectively. No bowel perforations were observed. Nearly one third of the late complications (13/45; 35.2%) resulted in discontinuation of PD, while one fourth (11/45; 24.4%) required surgical revision. The remaining episodes (21/45; 46.6%) were successfully managed by a conservative approach. The survival of the catheter at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 93.6, 91.2, 84.8, 77.4, 65.5 and 59.3%, respectively. The technique survival at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 97.2, 94.9, 87.6, 78.9, 66.6 and 60.0%, respectively. The main causes of PD drop-out included infectious complications (36.8%) followed by mechanical complications (17.5%). CONCLUSIONS: A tight seal between deep cuff and surrounding tissues (double purse-string technique) in association with a starting low-volume exchange scheme allows to minimize early and late mechanical complication in UPD.

The impact of the superficial cuff position on the exit site and tunnel infections in CAPD patients.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on PD. In the last ten years, in order to reduce cuff and exit-site infections, in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, we have positioned the superficial cuff subcutaneously 4 cm instead of 2 cm internal to the exit-site. METHODS: We analysed the infective episodes occurred in 123 CAPD patients (88 men and 35 women, mean age 62.4 ± 16.8) treated for 3337 months between 1st January 2011 and 31th December 2018 at Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico. RESULTS: 31 of the 123 patients (25.2%) developed 52 episodes of exit site infection, with an incidence of 1 episode every 64.1 patient-months. The cumulative probability of remaining infection free was 80.7% at 12 months and 61.8% at 36 months. Gram-positive organism accounted for 78.7% of exit site infections. Forty-one episodes (87%) were successfully treated with medical therapy. Peritonitis incidence was 1 episode every 51.7 and 1 episode every 49.2 patient-months, in patients with or without a history of exit site infection respectively. The overall incidence of tunnel infection was 1 episode every 278.1 patient-months. CONCLUSIONS: Positioning the superficial cuff subcutaneously at least 4 cm internal to the exit-site might prevent the bacterial cuff colonization and reduce ESIs, tunnel infections and peritonitis.

[Urgent-start PD: a viable approach].

Despite the many potential benefits of peritoneal dialysis (PD), the percentage of dialysis patients treated with PD is around 10% worldwide. Up to 70% of the subjects who progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) start dialysis without a well-defined therapy plan. Most of these patients are unaware of having chronic kidney disease, while others with stable CKD incur in unpredictable and acute worsening of kidney function. As a matter of fact, 80% of incident HD patients start dialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC) even though starting HD with a CVC is independently associated with increased mortality, high rates of bacteremia, and increased hospitalization rates. Thus, PD is an excellent but underused mode of dialysis. Offering it to patients who present late to dialysis therapy, due to uremic state or hypervolemia, may help increase its application in the future. This approach has been recently denominated "urgent-start peritoneal dialysis" (UPD). Based on the break-in period, it is possible to differentiate UPD from "early-start peritoneal dialysis" (EPD). The outcome of UPD depends on the right selection of patients, the appropriate placement of the catheter and the adequate education of the nursing and medical staff. Moreover, using modified catheter insertion technique aimed at creating a tight seal between the inner cuff and the abdominal tissues, as well as employing protocols that use low-volume exchanges in a supine posture, could minimize the occurrence of early mechanical complications. Although the probability of mechanical complications is higher in early-start PD patients, UPD/EPD show a mortality rate, a PD survival and an infectious complication rate comparable with conventional PD. In comparison to urgent-start hemodialysis via a CVC, UPD can be a safe and cost-effective alternative that decreases the incidences of catheter-related bloodstream infections and hemodialysis-related complications. Furthermore, UPD can promote the diffusion of PD.

[Mini-invasive surgical techniques for rescuing the peritoneal catheter in refractory tunnel infections].

Infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Despite great efforts in the prevention and treatment of infective complications over the two past decades, catheter-related infections represent the most relevant cause of technical failure. Recent studies support the idea that exit-site/tunnel infections (ESI/TI) have a direct role in causing peritonitis. Since the episodes of peritonitis secondary to TI lead to catheter loss in up to 86% of cases, it is advised to remove the catheter when the ESI/TI does not respond to medical therapy. This approach necessarily entails the interruption of PD and, after the placement of a central venous catheter, the shift to haemodialysis (HD). In order to avoid the change of dialytic method, the simultaneous removal and replacement (SCR) of the PD catheter has also been proposed. Although SCR avoids temporary HD, it requires the removal/reinsertion of the catheter and the immediate initiation of PD, with the risk of mechanical complications such as leakage and malfunction. Several mini-invasive surgical techniques have been employed as rescue procedures: curettage, cuff-shaving, the partial reimplantation of the catheter and the removal of the superficial cuff with the creation of a new exit-site. These procedures allow to save the catheter and have a success rate of 70-100%. Therefore, in case of ESI/TI refractory to antibiotic therapy, a mini-invasive surgical revision must always be considered before removing the catheter.

[Is peritoneal dialysis the first-choice renal replacement therapy for patients waiting for a kidney transplant?]

Kidney transplantation is the gold-standard treatment of end-stage renal disease. Receiving a pre-emptive transplant ensures the best survival for both the recipient and the allograft. However, due to an overwhelming discrepancy between available donors and patients on the transplant waiting list, the vast majority of transplant candidates require prolonged periods of dialytic therapy before transplant. Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis have been traditionally considered as competitive renal replacement therapies. This dualistic vision has been recently questioned by emerging evidence suggesting that an individualized and flexible approach may be more appropriate. Tailored and cleverly planned shifts between different modalities, according to the patient's needs, represents the best option. Remarkably, recent data seem to support the use of peritoneal dialysis over hemodialysis in patients waiting for a kidney transplant. In this specific setting, the perceived advantages of PD are better overall recipient survival and quality of life, longer preservation of residual renal function, lower incidence of delayed graft function and reduced cost.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections in a nephrology unit: Analysis of patient- and catheter-associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter use is rising in chronic and acute hemodialysis. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are a major complication of central venous catheter use. This article examines clinical factors associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections incidence. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center study, 413 patients undergoing extracorporeal treatments between 1 February 2014 and 31 January 2017 with 560 central venous catheters were recruited. Clinical parameters, such as gender, age, kidney disease status, diabetes, immunosuppression, and vintage dialysis, were collected at study entry. An incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval) was calculated to assess the association between catheter-related bloodstream infections incidence rate and each clinical variable/central venous catheter type. Significant associations at the univariate analyses were investigated with multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: During a cumulative time of 66,686 catheter-days, 54 catheter-related bloodstream infections (incidence rate: 0.81) events occurred. Gram negative bacteria were more frequent in patients with age < 80 years (16 (36%) vs. 0, p = 0.02). At the univariate analyses, male sex (incidence rate ratio: 1.9 (1.1-3.5), p = 0.03), age < 80 years (incidence rate ratio: 2.4 (1.1-5.5), p = 0.016) and acute kidney injury (incidence rate ratio: 5.6 (3.1-10), p < 0.0001) were associated with higher catheter-related bloodstream infections incidence rate. Compared with tunneled jugular central venous catheter, higher catheter-related bloodstream infections incidence rate was associated with non-tunneled jugular (incidence rate ratio: 6.45 (2.99-13.56), p < 0.0001) and non-tunneled femoral (incidence rate ratio: 12.90 (5.87-27.61), p < 0.0001) central venous catheter use; tunneled femoral central venous catheter was associated with higher non-significant incidence rate (incidence rate ratio: 2.45 (0.93-5.85), p = 0.07). The multivariate analyses showed that acute kidney injury (hazard ratio: 3.03 (1.38-6.67), p = 0.006), non-tunneled (hazard ratio: 3.11 (1.30-7.41), p = 0.01) and femoral (hazard ratio: 2.63 (1.36-5.07), p = 0.004) central venous catheter were associated with higher catheter-related bloodstream infections incidence rate. CONCLUSION: Central venous catheter characteristics and acute kidney injury are independently associated with higher catheter-related bloodstream infections rate.

Double purse-string around the inner cuff of the peritoneal catheter: A novel technique for an immediate initiation of continuous peritoneal dialysis.

International guidelines recommended a delayed start of peritoneal dialysis at least 2 weeks between catheter insertion and continuous peritoneal dialysis therapy initiation (break-in period). Up to now, the optimal duration of the break-in period is still unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate in patients, with immediate initiation of continuous peritoneal dialysis, the efficacy of a double purse-string around the inner cuff in preventing mechanical and infectious complications either in semi-surgical or surgical catheter implantation. From January 2011 to December 2018, 135 peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions in 125 patients (90 men and 35 women, mean age 62.02 ± 16.7) were performed. Seventy-seven straight double-cuffed Tenckhoff catheters were implanted semi-surgically on midline under the umbilicus by a trocar, and 58 were surgically implanted through the rectus muscle. In all patients, continuous peritoneal dialysis was started immediately after catheter placement. Mechanical and infectious catheter-related complications during the first 3 months after initiation of continuous peritoneal dialysis were recorded. The overall incidence of leakages, catheter dislocations, peritonitis, and exit-site infections was 4/135 (2.96%), 2/135 (1.48%), 14/135 (10.3%), and 4/135 (2.96%), respectively. Regarding the incidence of catheter-related complications, no bleeding events, bowel perforations, or hernia formations were observed with either the semi-surgical or surgical technique. Double purse-string technique around the inner cuff allows an immediate start of continuous peritoneal dialysis both with semi-surgical and surgical catheter implantation. This technique is a safe and feasible approach in patients needing an urgent peritoneal dialysis.

[Double purse-string craft around the inner cuff: a new technique for an immediate start of CAPD].

Background: In order to minimize the risk of leakage and displacement, international guidelines recommend that catheter insertion should be performed at least 2 weeks before beginning CAPD. However, the optimal duration of the break-in period is not defined yet. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2018, 135 PD catheter insertions in 125 patients (90 men and 35 women, mean age 62,02 ± 16,7) were performed in our centre with the double purse-string technique. Seventy-seven straight double-cuffed Tenckhoff catheter were implanted semi-surgically on midline under umbilicus by a trocar and 58 were surgically implanted through rectus muscle. In all patients CAPD was started within 24 hours from catheter placement, without a break-in procedure. We recorded all mechanical and infective catheter-related complications during the 3 first months after initiation of CAPD and the catheter survival rates. Results: During the first 3 months the overall incidence of peri-catheter leakages, catheter dislocations, peritonitis and exit-site infections was 2,96% (4/135), 1,48% (2/135), 10.3% (14/135) and 2.96% (4/135), respectively. No bleeding events, bowel perforations or hernia formations were reported. The catheter survival censored for deaths, kidney transplant, loss of ultrafiltration and inability was 74,7% at 48 months. There was no difference in the incidence of any mechanical or infectious complications and catheter survival between the semi-surgical and the surgical groups. Conclusions: Double purse-string technique allows an immediate start of CAPD both with semi-surgical and surgical catheter implantation. This technique is a safe and feasible approach in all patients who refer to peritoneal dialysis.

Use of ultrasounds in PD catheter-related infections: indications and clinical implications / Utilizzo degli ultrasuoni nelle infezioni da catetere peritoneale: indicazioni e risvolti clinici

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undertaking renal replacement therapy with PD. Nevertheless, despite the great effort invested in the prevention of PD infective episodes, almost one third of technical failures are still caused by peritonitis. Recent studies support the idea that there is a direct role of exit-site (ESIs) and tunnel infections (TIs) in causing peritonitis. Hence, both the prompt ESI/TI diagnosis and correct prognostic hypothesis would allow the timely start of an appropriate antibiotic therapy decreasing the associated complications and preserving the PD technique. The ultrasound exam (US) is a simple, rapid, non-invasive and widely available procedure for the tunnel evaluation in PD catheter-related infections. In case of ESI, the US possesses a greater sensibility in diagnosing a simultaneous TI compared to the clinical criterions. This peculiarity allows to distinguish the ESI episodes which will be healed with antibiotic therapy from those refractories to medical therapy. In case of TI, the US permits to localize the catheter portion involved in the infectious process obtaining significant prognostic information; while the US repetition after two weeks of antibiotic allows to monitor the patient responsiveness to the therapy. There is no evidence of the US usefulness as screening tool aimed to the precocious diagnosis of TI in asymptomatic PD patients.

Outcome of peritoneal dialysis in cirrhotic patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Results of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in cirrhotic patients with renal failure are debated. The aim of the present study is to assess the outcome of PD patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: A retrospective study based on clinical records was performed in 21 cirrhotic and 41 PD patients without liver disease followed up at our PD unit. RESULTS: Five-year patient and technique survival were similar in the two groups. Seven cirrhotic patients (33%) died of liver failure (5 patients), liver cancer (1 patient), and peritonitis (1 patient). Ten controls (24%) died of cardiovascular complications (6 patients), pneumonia (1 patient), cachexia (1 patient), and unknown reasons (2 patients). Six cirrhotic patients discontinued PD therapy after 44.3 +/- 24.7 months because of inadequate dialysis (2 patients), sclerosing peritonitis (2 patients), dementia (1 patient), or patient choice (1 patient). Twelve controls discontinued PD therapy after 33 +/- 25.9 months because of peritonitis (6 patients), exit-site infection (1 patient), inadequate peritoneal clearance (3 patients), catheter malfunction (1 patient), and patient request (1 patient). The peritonitis rate was 0.31 episodes/y in cirrhotic patients and 0.53 episodes/y in controls (P = not significant). The hospitalization rate was similar (16.5 d/y in cirrhotic patients, 15.4 d/y in controls). In cirrhotic patients, complications were leakage (3 patients), symptomatic hypotension (5 patients), anemia (5 patients), severe malnutrition (14 patients), sclerosing peritonitis (2 patients), and hepatic encephalopathy (3 patients). CONCLUSION: The outcome of PD and risk for bacterial peritonitis or other dialysis complications are not worsened by the presence of liver cirrhosis.

Calcimimetics in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Though the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) and the related mineral metabolism (MM) changes have been reported at almost the same rate in peritoneal dialysis (PD) as in hemodialysis (HD) patients, PD patients have a higher prevalence of adynamic bone disease (ABD), suggesting that their bone is less sensitive for a given level of PTH. Furthermore, the phosphorus control seems to be better and vitamin D deficiency is more common in PD patients than in HD patients. So, the therapeutic approach to SHP and MM changes in PD patients might be different from the one applied to HD patients. Vitamin D metabolites and phosphate binders, though effective in controlling SHP of CKD patients, are not equally effective in controlling at the same extent calcium and/or phosphorus levels. Recently, a new drug (Cinacalcet) has been introduced in the clinical practice which significantly increased the chance of obtaining a simultaneous control of both PTH and MM parameters. However, only scanty data are present in the literature regarding the use of Cinacalcet in PD patients. The few studies produced in PD retraced the results obtained in hemodialysis patients, confirming that both in the short- and long-term Cinacalcet induced a more pronounced reduction of PTH in a larger percentage of patients as compared with standard therapy (ST), and this effect was associated with a decrease in both calcium and phosphorus concentrations, though the extent of the percentage decrease of phosphorus was lower than in HD patients. The safety/tolerability profile was again the same as in HD patients, with gastrointestinal symptoms representing the more frequently reported side effects. In our experience, given that a severe form of SHP is less frequent, the control of phosphate is usually better and vitamin D deficiency is more frequent in PD than in HD patients, making the former patients more prone to hypo- rather than hypercalcemia, the need for the use of the most recent and potent drugs for the control of SHP, including Cinacalcet, is usually lower in PD than in HD patients.