Evaluating patient perspectives of endovascular created arteriovenous fistulas for dialysis access (EndoAVF).

BACKGROUND: Patient reported experience measures are contemporary quality indicators that focus on evaluation of healthcare delivery processes. While surgical arteriovenous fistulas (otherAVF) are preferred for haemodialysis vascular access, fears about surgery and complications often result in refusal/delays. A new technique of endovascular arteriovenous fistula creation (EndoAVF) has been developed and as part of it's ongoing introduction into our unit, the patient perspective was felt critical to its evaluation. The Vascular Access Questionnaire (VAQ) provides a mechanism for identifying and scoring perceptions in this setting. METHOD: Patients who had previously undergone EndoAVF formation were approached to undertake the VAQ as part of a service evaluation of their experience. In addition to the components of the VAQ, data questions relating to the patient's perception of their access were gathered. Results were compared with a matched historical cohort of surgically created fistulas (otherAVF) patients. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction and self-reported ease of use with EndoAVF were high. Overall VAQ scores were similar between the EndoAVF and the surgically created cohort. Functionally, there was no significant difference in perception of their fistula by patients, irrespective of them being created surgically or radiologically. CONCLUSION: Although numbers in this report are small limiting exploration of preserved inherent heterogeneity, we provide a useful initial patient reported experience and perspectives on comparative functional use of radiologically and surgically created AVFs. As real world experience gathers, future larger cohorts with adequate sampling may allow exploration of patient reported experiences and outcome measures.

Quality improvement in vascular access: The role of patient-reported outcome measures.

Quality improvement initiatives should be aimed to enhance clinical outcomes, service delivery and quality of life for patients. For patients reliant on haemodialysis, vascular access is a lifeline. Survival differences relating to the type of vascular access are evident and many initiatives have focussed on increasing absolute rates of arteriovenous fistulas and/or decreasing central venous catheter use. While these have achieved some success quantitatively, the qualitative effects are less obvious. The aims of this review article are to explore the concepts of quality of care in vascular access. There is a paucity of studies into the effects of vascular access on the quality of life of dialysis patients, and where studies have been performed, generalised patient-reported outcome measures have been used. To facilitate the implementation of quality improvement programmes specifically for vascular access requires suitable tools. While existing patient-reported outcome measures may be applicable to vascular access, it is likely that these will require further evaluation, and the development of vascular access-specific patient-reported outcome measures may be required.

Recipient Outcomes From Nondirected Live Kidney Donors: A UK-based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of patients with end-stage renal failure are receiving kidneys from nondirected kidney donors (NKDs), also known as altruistic donors. Transplant outcomes for recipients of such kidneys are largely inferred from studies on specified kidney donors (SKDs), which may be inaccurate due to differences in donor, recipient and transplant specific factors. We report the outcomes for recipients of NKD in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Outcomes for 6861 patients receiving a living donor kidney transplant between January 2007 and December 2014 were analyzed using both the National Health Service Blood and Transplant and the UK Renal Registry datasets. Graft and patient outcomes were compared for patients receiving NKD and SKD organs using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: There was significant discordance between the NKD and SKD donors and recipients. These included increased donor age (median, 58 years vs 47 years; P < 0.001) and higher rates of hemodialysis and previous transplants in the NKD group (both P < 0.001). Despite such markers of increased risk among both donors and recipients of NKD kidneys, there was no difference in graft survival on univariable (hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.86; P = 0.419) or multivariable analysis (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-1.95; P = 0.665). CONCLUSIONS: Despite some markers of transplant complexity, nondirected kidney donor organs are an excellent source of organs for transplantation.

Novel use of infrared thermal imaging to predict arteriovenous fistula patency and maturation.

OBJECTIVE: The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred method of long-term haemodialysis. However, it has been shown to have a substantial rate of maturation failure. The formation of an AVF creates haemodynamic changes to blood flow in the arm with diversion of blood away from the distal circulation into the low pressure venous system, in turn, leading to thermal changes distally. In this study, we aimed to assess the novel use of infrared thermal imaging as a predictor of arteriovenous maturation. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 100 consecutive patients who had AVF formation from December 2015 to June 2016. Infrared thermal imaging was undertaken pre- and post-operatively on the day of surgery to assess thermal changes to the arms and to assess them as predictors of clinical patency and functional maturation. RESULTS: For clinical patency, infrared thermal imaging was found to have a positive predictive value of 88% and a negative predictive value of 86%. For functional maturation, it was found to have a positive predictive value of 84%, a negative predictive value of 95%. In addition, it was shown to have superiority to the commonly used intra-operative predictor of thrill as well as other independent pre-operative patient factors. CONCLUSIONS: Infrared thermal imaging has been found to be a very useful tool in accurately predicting fistula patency and maturation.

End-stage vascular access failure: can we define and can we classify?

BACKGROUND: Renal replacement therapy using dialysis has evolved dramatically over recent years with an improvement in patient survival. With this increased longevity, a cohort of patients are in the precarious position of having exhausted the standard routes of vascular access. The extent of this problem of failed access or 'desperate measures' access is difficult to determine, as there are no uniform definitions or classification allowing standardization and few studies have been performed. The aim of this study is to propose a classification of end-stage vascular access (VA) failure and subsequently test its applicability in a dialysis population. METHODS: Using anatomical stratification, a simple hierarchical classification is proposed. This has been applied to a large dialysis population and in particular to patients referred to the complex access clinic dedicated to patients identified as having exhausted standard VA options and also those dialysing on permanent central venous catheters (CVC). RESULTS: A simple classification is proposed based on a progressive anatomical grading of (I) standard upper arm options exhausted, (II) femoral options exhausted and (III) other options exhausted. These are further subdivided anatomically to allow ease of classification. When applied to a complex group of patients (n = 145) referred to a dedicated complex access clinic, 21 patients were Class I, 26 Class II and 2 Class III. Ninety-six patients did not fall into the classification despite being referred as permanent CVC. CONCLUSIONS: The numbers of patients who have exhausted definitive access options will continue to increase. This simple classification allows the scope of the problem and proposed solutions to be identified. Furthermore, these solutions can be studied and treatments compared in a standardized fashion. The classification may also be applied if patients have the option of transplantation where iliac vessel preservation is desirable and prioritization policies may be instituted.

Patient survival following arteriovenous fistula formation.

PURPOSE: Efforts to promote arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) have been successful in increasing the prevalence of AVF use as the primary vascular access for haemodialysis (HD). Sustained preference for AVF use may not be the most appropriate vascular access choice for all patient groups. Arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) offer advantages of earlier use and lower primary failure rates compared to AVFs so may be preferable for patients where short-term vascular access is needed. This study was designed to assess comparative mortality in different age groups following AVF formation. METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients having AVF creation was recruited. Patients were subdivided into three age groups: Group A: <50 years; Group B: 50-74 years and Group C: ≥75 years. Survival curves and Cox regression analysis were performed on each of these groups. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four patients (n = 134) were recruited into the study. The prevalence of diabetes increased significantly with age. As expected, mortality was higher in older age groups (log rank (Mantel-Cox) 19.227; p = 0.0001). Mortality rates at 1 year were 0% in group A, 12.5% in group B and 29.1% in group C. Medium-term mortality at 4 years was 7.9% in group A, 39.1% in group B and 54.8% in group C. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significantly higher mortality rate in patients ≥75 years in comparison to those <75 years. The choice of vascular access modality should be tailored to the individual with particular reference to the patient's expected survival.

Urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in deceased organ donors--kidney injury molecule-1 as an adjunct to predicting outcome.

BACKGROUND: Deceased kidney donors are increasingly "marginal," and many have risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) that may impact on subsequent renal transplant outcome. Despite this, determining the presence of AKI at the time of deceased organ donation remains difficult. METHODS: Urine samples from 182 brainstem dead multi-organ donors (all of whom donated hearts that were transplanted) were analyzed for a Luminex(™) panel of biomarkers linked with AKI. This included KIM-1, NGAL, IFN-γ, TNF-α, cystatin C, Fractalkine and vascular endothelial growth factor. Levels were correlated to early renal transplant outcomes, most specifically delayed graft function. RESULTS: Donor urinary KIM-1 levels were significantly higher in donors whose kidneys displayed aberrant early function (p = 0.011). Fractalkine levels showed a trend toward elevation in such donors but uncorrected this did not attain significance. No correlation occurred with the remaining biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: KIM-1 appears to show promise as a marker for AKI in deceased cardiac organ donors. The availability of a lateral flow device (Renastick(™) ) for KIM-1 that also demonstrates higher urinary KIM-1 levels in donors whose kidneys show aberrant initial function (p = 0.03), makes KIM-1 a potential indicator of AKI that may merit further evaluation for its application at the donor bedside.

The use of NGAL and IP-10 in the prediction of early acute rejection in highly sensitized patients following HLA-incompatible renal transplantation.

Acute rejection is a significant problem for patients undergoing HLA-incompatible renal transplantation, affecting between 12 and 53% of patients. Any mechanism of detecting rejection in advance of current methods would offer significant benefit. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum biomarkers could predict rejection in HLAi transplants recipients. Sera from 94 HLAi transplant recipients from a single centre were analysed for a panel of biomarkers including: NGAL, KIM-1, IP-10, cystatin C, cathepsin L and VEGF. Biomarker levels pre-operatively, day 1 and at day 30 post-transplant were correlated with the development of early rejection. Significantly higher levels of IP-10 and NGAL were seen on day 1 following transplant in those patients who developed acute rejection (P < 0.001 and 0.005) and generated AUC of 0.73 and 0.67, respectively. No differences were seen for the other biomarkers or at the other time points. In this study cohort, IP-10 and NGAL have demonstrated good predictive ability for the development of acute rejection at a very early time point. They may have a role in identifying patients at higher risk for rejection and stratifying immunosuppression or surveillance.

Arteriovenous fistula aneurysms in patients with Alport's.

PURPOSE: Alport's syndrome is a rare but important cause of renal failure. It is characterized by Type IV collagen mutations resulting in connective tissue disorders and renal and cochlear dysfunction. Vascular basement membrane also contains collagen IV and the effect on arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) is not reported. Anecdotally, we observed a high rate of aneurysm formation in Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) of patients with Alport's and sought to determine whether this was the case within our population. METHODS: All patients with a diagnosis of Alport's were identified from a contemporaneously maintained database. AVFs formed in patients with Alport's were identified to define the incidence of aneurysms in this group. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with a diagnosis of Alport's were identified. Of these, 20 patients had undergone AVF formation, the remainder opting for CAPD as renal replacement or had undergone pre-emptive transplantation. Of the 20 patients identified, 11 had an AVF and of these the rate of aneurysm formation was high (55%). CONCLUSIONS: While this finding of high rate of aneurysmal AVF in Alport's patients is a purely observational finding within our population further population study would be extremely interesting and could support enhanced surveillance or alternative dialysis modalities in Alport's syndrome patients.

The brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula: effect of patient variables.

PURPOSE: The hemodialysis population is constantly expanding as patients on dialysis have increased longevity and the number of kidneys available for transplantation remains static (1). After radiocephalic and brachiocephalic fistulas have been exhausted the use of the autologous brachiobasilic fistula (BBAVF) should be considered prior to use of a synthetic graft. We present our single center experience of 140 brachiobasilic fistulas in a five-year period and examine any factors that influence patency and long-term function. METHODS: Patients who had undergone formation of a BBAVF between January 2004 and January 2009 were identified; a review of all case notes and databases was undertaken. Details on demographics, cause of renal failure, co-morbidities (including diabetes, cardiac morbidity, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease), dialysis status at the time of fistula creation, hemoglobin, anti-coagulation regimens, and complications from surgery were recorded. RESULTS: Patency (defined as use of AVF for dialysis) was 83% at 3 months, 77% at 6 months, and 69% at 12 months. Length of patency ranged from 0 to 1918 days (at study cut-off) with a mean patency of 532 days. Factors found to significantly affect fistula patency included age over 60 (P=<0.001) and presence of peripheral vascular disease (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Our brachiobasilic fistula patency rates are comparable with published literature and other fistulas. Within our population patient variables including age over 60 and the presence of peripheral vascular disease are associated with worse outcomes as would be expected. In spite of these factors we feel the brachiobasilic fistula is an excellent option for patients with more challenging access and should certainly be undertaken prior to the use of prosthetic grafts.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of ellagic acid.

Few studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of ellagic acid and no published studies have examined the effects of ellagic acid in combination with anesthetic adjuvants. In this study, 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of six groups: (1) vehicle; (2) ketorolac and vehicle; (3) meloxicam and vehicle; (4) ellagic acid and vehicle; (5) ellagic acid, ketorolac, and vehicle; and (6) ellagic acid, meloxicam, and vehicle. Groups 5 and 6 investigated interactions between ellagic acid and cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Paw inflammation was induced with 3% carrageenan and was measured with a plethysmometer at 30 minutes and 4, 8, and 24 hours after intraperitoneal injection. All rats received one intraperitoneal injection of equivalent volumes according to group assignment. Analysis of covariance followed by post hoc analysis determined that ketorolac was the only compound to significantly reduce paw edema at 4 hours (P = .019); ellagic acid alone (P = .038) and the combination of ellagic acid and ketorolac (P = .038) were the only compounds to significantly reduce paw edema at 8 hours. At 24 hours, only ellagic acid was effective (P = .01). Our findings suggest that ellagic acid may be effective against inflammation, may have a prolonged onset and duration of action, and may interact with known cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

Massive primary hepatic tuberculoma mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in an immunocompetent host.

Tuberculoma of the liver is rare in an immunocompetent individual. We report a 26-year-old man with upper abdominal pain, abnormal liver function, and raised inflammatory markers. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a mixed attenuation lesion measuring 6 x 5 cm occupying most of the left lobe of the liver. Subsequent histology and culture confirmed tuberculous abscess. Following antituberculous therapy, repeat CT scan revealed complete resolution of the initial findings. This case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties of hepatic tuberculosis (TB) and the importance of considering TB in patients with hepatic lesions.