Postoperative Events in Incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients Undergoing Prior Desensitization.

BACKGROUND: Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is one of the best options for patients with chronic renal failure, but approximately one-third of cases are limited by incompatibility ABO and/or HLA between recipient and donor. This study aims to analyze the surgical complications and bleeding events presented in ABO-incompatible (ABOi) and HLA-incompatible (HLAi) patients within a pre-transplant desensitization program compared with ABO-compatible (ABOc) recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of ABOi and HLAi recipients undergoing LKDT between 2009 and 2019, resulting in a total of 62 patients that we compared with the same number of ABOc performed consecutively before 2019. The following variables were analyzed: surgical complications, presence, size and rate of reintervention of peri-graft hematomas, and number of transfusions received in the postoperative period. RESULTS: No statistical differences were shown in donor and recipient age, BMI, or sex; in the case of pre-surgical hematocrit, the ABOi group presented slightly lower figures. In the incompatible group (ABOi + HLAi), we found a greater number of postoperative surgical complications when analyzing the number of hematomas, size, need for surgical reintervention, and the number of blood units transfused; incompatible patients showed higher rates of hematomas, need for surgical reinterventions, and transfused units (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Desensitized patients need more transfusions, have a greater number and size of hematomas, and have higher reintervention rates. Although these are present in greater numbers, we did not observe statistically significant differences in the number of surgical complications.

Best practices during COVID-19 pandemic in solid organ transplant programs in Spain.

Clinical management of transplant patients abruptly changed during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic (March to May 2020). The new situation led to very significant challenges, such as new forms of relationship between healthcare providers and patients and other professionals, design of protocols to prevent disease transmission and treatment of infected patients, management of waiting lists and of transplant programs during state/city lockdown, relevant reduction of medical training and educational activities, halt or delays of ongoing research, etc. The two main objectives of the current report are: 1) to promote a project of best practices in transplantation taking advantage of the knowledge and experience acquired by professionals during the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in performing their usual care activity, as well as in the adjustments taken to adapt to the clinical context, and 2) to create a document that collects these best practices, thus allowing the creation of a useful compendium for the exchange of knowledge between different Transplant Units. The scientific committee and expert panel finally standardized 30 best practices, including for the pretransplant period (n = 9), peritransplant period (n = 7), postransplant period (n = 8) and training and communication (n = 6). Many aspects of hospitals and units networking, telematic approaches, patient care, value-based medicine, hospitalization, and outpatient visit strategies, training for novelties and communication skills were covered. Massive vaccination has greatly improved the outcomes of the pandemic, with a decrease in severe cases requiring intensive care and a reduction in mortality. However, suboptimal responses to vaccines have been observed in transplant recipients, and health care strategic plans are necessary in these vulnerable populations. The best practices contained in this expert panel report may aid to their broader implementation.

Low Incidence of Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection after HLA Desensitization in Living Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Desensitization allows the performance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-incompatible transplants. However, the incidence of acute rejection (AR) is high. This study aims to analyze the incidence of AR after transplantation with HLA-incompatible living donors in patients who underwent desensitization. Patients were immunosuppressed with tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid derivatives, and steroids after being desensitized with rituximab, plasma exchange, and/or immunoadsorption with specific cytomegalovirus immunoglobulins. A negative complement-dependent cytotoxicity or flow cytometry crossmatch and a donor-specific antibody titer < 1000 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) were used to determine desensitization efficacy. A total of 36 patients underwent desensitization, and 27 (75%) were transplanted. After a follow-up of 58 ± 58 months (Min−Max: 0.13−169.5), five episodes of AR occurred: two antibody-mediated and three T-cell-mediated. No differences were found in baseline calculated panel-reactive antibodies (cPRA), class I or II MFI, number of antibodies, or Relative Intensity Scale (RIS) between AR and non-AR patients. Patients with antibody-mediated AR had higher cPRA (NS), MFI class I (p = 0.07) and class II (p = 0.006), and RIS (p = 0.01). The two patients with antibody-mediated AR and one patient with T-cell-mediated AR lost their grafts. In conclusion, the incidence of acute antibody-mediated rejection after desensitization was 7.4%, which occurred early post-transplantation in patients with high MFI and was associated with early graft loss.

Bioavailability of once-daily tacrolimus formulations used in clinical practice in the management of De Novo kidney transplant recipients: the better study.

Multicenter, prospective, observational study to compare the relative bioavailability of once-daily tacrolimus formulations in de novo kidney transplant recipients. De novo kidney transplant recipients who started a tacrolimus-based regimen were included 14 days post-transplant and followed up for 6 months. Data from 218 participants were evaluated: 129 in the LCPT group (Envarsus) and 89 in the PR-Tac (Advagraf) group. Patients in the LCPT group exhibited higher relative bioavailability (Cmin /total daily dose [TDD]) vs. PR-Tac (61% increase; P < .001) with similar Cmin and 30% lower TDD levels (P < .0001). The incidence of treatment failure was 3.9% in the LCPT group and 9.0% in the PR-Tac group (P = .117). Study discontinuation rates were 6.2% in the LCPT group and 12.4% in the PR-Tac group (P = .113). Adverse events, renal function and other complications were comparable between groups. The median accumulated dose of tacrolimus in the LCPT group from day 14 to month 6 was 889 mg. Compared to PR-Tac, LCPT showed higher relative bioavailability, similar effectiveness at preventing allograft rejection, comparable effect on renal function, safety, adherence, treatment failure and premature discontinuation rates.

Randomized clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of CO-oximetry and anti-smoking brief advice in a cohort of kidney transplant patients who smoke.

Background: measure the efficacy of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) measurement plus brief advisory sessions to reduce smoking exposure and smoking behaviour in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial at a Spanish hospital.Smoking kidney transplant recipients giving their consent to participate were randomized to control (brief advice, n=63) or intervention group (brief advisory session plus measuring exhaled CO, n=59). Measurements: Sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, treatment, rejection episodes, infections, self-reported smoking, drug use, level of dependence and motivation to stop smoking (Fagerström's and Richmond's test) and stage of change (Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages). Efficacy was assessed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months as: cotinine test, CO levels in exhaled air, nicotine dependence, motivational stages of change, motivation to stop smoking, pattern of tobacco use and smoking cessation rates. Logistic regression models were computed. Results: At 12 months of follow-up, differences were found in exhaled CO between the intervention and control group(6.1±6.8vs.10.2±9.7ppm;p=0.028). Carboxyhemoglobin levels were lower in the intervention group as well as the positive cotinine test (1.2±1.2%vs.2.0±2.4%;p=0.039),(53.4%vs.74.2%). At 12 months, intervention reduces the probability of a positive urine test by 28%. Conclusions: Co-oximetry is a clinically relevant intervention for reduction of tobacco exposure in kidney transplant recipients.

Trasplante renal de donante vivo ABO incompatible. Estudio de 48 pacientes tras desensibilización / ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation: Study of 48 patients after desensitisation

ANTECEDENTES: El trasplante renal de donante vivo ABO incompatible era considerado una contraindicación absoluta. Desde hace años, se realiza con buenos resultados. OBJETIVO: Nuestro objetivo es mostrar los resultados de este tipo de trasplante realizado en nuestro hospital. MÉTODOS: Estudiamos 48 pacientes con una edad media de 50,9 ± 10,9 años. Seguimiento 44,6 ± 30,9 meses. Acondicionamiento: rituximab 375mg/m2, tacrolimus, micofenolato mofetilo o micofenolato sódico, prednisona, plasmaféresis/inmunoadsorción e inmunoglobulina intravenosa. Títulos de isoaglutininas aceptados para trasplantar: IgG e IgM inferiores a 1:8. RESULTADOS: Isoaglutininas preproceso: IgG 1:124 ± 1:140, IgM 1:77 ± 1:55. Tras 6 ± 3 sesiones, la IgG descendió a < 1:8 en 47 pacientes, a<1:16 en uno; la IgM fue < 1:8 en todos. Veinticuatro pacientes (50%) presentaron hematoma, 7 reintervención (14,6%) y 29 (60%) necesitaron transfusión. Al quinto año presentaron rechazo agudo 5 pacientes (8,7%), CMV 9 (19,7%), viremia BK 5 (12,4%), diabetes postrasplante 10 (23,4%), linfocele 3 (6,4%). La supervivencia del paciente fue del 97,1% al quinto año y la del injerto, del 95,7% al año y del 93% al quinto año. Pérdida de injerto: trombosis (n = 1), rechazo mixto (n = 1) y exitus (n=2). La creatinina al año y a los 3 años fue de 1,4 ± 0,4 mg/dl y de 1,3 ± 0.3 mg/dl al quinto año. La proteinuria al año, a los 3 y a los 5 fue de 0,2 ± 0,2 g/24 h. CONCLUSIONES: El trasplante renal de donante vivo ABO incompatible tras acondicionamiento con rituximab, plasmaféresis/inmunoadsorción e inmunoglobulinas es una opción válida y ofrece excelentes resultados de supervivencia, con una baja incidencia de rechazo agudo sin aumento de complicaciones infecciosas. Se evidencia una mayor tendencia al sangrado postoperatorio

BACKGROUND: ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation was regarded as an absolute contraindication. However, it has been carried out for years with good outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to show the results obtained with this technique in our hospital. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with a mean age of 50.9 ± 10.9 years were included. Follow-up was 44.6 ± 30.9 months. Conditioning: rituximab 375 mg/m2, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolate sodium, prednisone, plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption and intravenous immunoglobulin. Accepted IgG and IgM titres for transplantation: < 1:8. RESULTS: Pre-process IgG titre 1:124 ± 1:140, IgM titre 1:77 ± 1:55. After 6 ± 3 sessions, IgG decreased to < 1:8 in 47 patients and to < 1:16 in one. IgM was < 1:8 in all cases. Twenty-four patients (50%) had haematoma, 7 re-intervention (14.6%), 29 (60%) required transfusion. At 5 years, acute rejection had occurred in 5 cases (8.7%), CMV infection in 9 (19.7%), BK viraemia in 5 (12.4%), post-transplant diabetes in 10 (23.4%) and lymphocele in 3 (6.4%). Patient survival was 97.1% at 5 years and graft survival 95.7% at one year and 93% at 5 years. Causes of graft loss: thrombosis (n = 1); mixed rejection (n = 1); and death (n = 2). Serum creatinine levels were 1.4 ± 0.4 mg/dl at one and 3 years and 1.3 ± 0.3 mg/dl at 5 years. Proteinuria was 0.2 ± 0.2 g/24 h at one, 3 and 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation after conditioning with rituximab, plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption and immunoglobulins is a valid option offering excellent outcomes. There is a low incidence of acute rejection and no increase in infectious complications. An increased tendency for postoperative bleeding was found

ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation: Study of 48 patients after desensitisation. / Trasplante renal de donante vivo ABO incompatible. Estudio de 48 pacientes tras desensibilización.

BACKGROUND: ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation was regarded as an absolute contraindication. However, it has been carried out for years with good outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to show the results obtained with this technique in our hospital. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with a mean age of 50.9±10.9 years were included. Follow-up was 44.6±30.9 months. Conditioning: rituximab 375mg/m2, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolate sodium, prednisone, plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption and intravenous immunoglobulin. Accepted IgG and IgM titres for transplantation:<1:8. RESULTS: Pre-process IgG titre 1:124±1:140, IgM titre 1:77±1:55. After 6±3 sessions, IgG decreased to<1:8 in 47 patients and to<1:16 in one. IgM was<1:8 in all cases. Twenty-four patients (50%) had haematoma, 7 re-intervention (14.6%), 29 (60%) required transfusion. At 5 years, acute rejection had occurred in 5 cases (8.7%), CMV infection in 9 (19.7%), BK viraemia in 5 (12.4%), post-transplant diabetes in 10 (23.4%) and lymphocele in 3 (6.4%). Patient survival was 97.1% at 5 years and graft survival 95.7% at one year and 93% at 5 years. Causes of graft loss: thrombosis (n=1); mixed rejection (n=1); and death (n=2). Serum creatinine levels were 1.4±0.4mg/dl at one and 3 years and 1.3±0.3mg/dl at 5 years. Proteinuria was 0.2±0.2g/24h at one, 3 and 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation after conditioning with rituximab, plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption and immunoglobulins is a valid option offering excellent outcomes. There is a low incidence of acute rejection and no increase in infectious complications. An increased tendency for postoperative bleeding was found.

Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Impact of Tacrolimus Versus Cyclosporine on the Incidence of Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the high incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) among high-risk recipients, no studies have investigated its prevention by immunosuppression optimization. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial testing whether a tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and rapid steroid withdrawal (SW) within 1 week (Tac-SW) or cyclosporine A (CsA) with steroid minimization (SM) (CsA-SM), decreased the incidence of PTDM compared with tacrolimus with SM (Tac-SM). All arms received basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil. High risk was defined by age >60 or >45 years plus metabolic criteria based on body mass index, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. The primary endpoint was the incidence of PTDM after 12 months. RESULTS: The study comprised 128 de novo renal transplant recipients without pretransplant diabetes (Tac-SW: 44, Tac-SM: 42, CsA-SM: 42). The 1-year incidence of PTDM in each arm was 37.8% for Tac-SW, 25.7% for Tac-SM, and 9.7% for CsA-SM (relative risk [RR] Tac-SW vs. CsA-SM 3.9 [1.2-12.4; P = 0.01]; RR Tac-SM vs. CsA-SM 2.7 [0.8-8.9; P = 0.1]). Antidiabetic therapy was required less commonly in the CsA-SM arm (P = 0.06); however, acute rejection rate was higher in CsA-SM arm (Tac-SW 11.4%, Tac-SM 4.8%, and CsA-SM 21.4% of patients; cumulative incidence P = 0.04). Graft and patient survival, and graft function were similar among arms. CONCLUSION: In high-risk patients, tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with SM provides the best balance between PTDM and acute rejection incidence.

Recomendaciones para el uso de everolimus en trasplante renal de novo: falsas creencias, mitos y realidades / Recommendations for the use of everolimus in de novo kidney transplantation: False beliefs, myths and realities

La combinación inmunosupresora más utilizada en trasplante renal de novo incluye un inhibidor de calcineurina (IC), tacrolimus, un derivado del ácido micofenólico y esteroides. La evidencia que sustenta esta práctica se basa en el ensayo clínico Symphony, de evolución controlada durante un año, en el que no existía ningún grupo comparador con IC asociado a un inhibidor de mTOR. Diversos ensayos clínicos de alta calidad sustentan la indicación del uso de everolimus como inmunosupresor básico asociado a una exposición reducida de un IC en pacientes que reciben un trasplante renal. Esta combinación podría mejorar las expectativas de resultados en salud. Estas recomendaciones tratan de aportar la evidencia científica que apoya esta práctica, discuten las falsas creencias, mitos y realidades de la combinación y concretan pautas que permiten utilizarla con seguridad y evitar complicaciones (AU)

The immunosuppressive combination most commonly used in de novo kidney transplantation comprises a calcineurin inhibitor (CI), tacrolimus, a mycophenolic acid derivative and steroids. The evidence which underlies this practice is based in the Symphony trial with controlled follow-up of one year, in which no comparator group included the combination CI-mTOR inhibitor. Different high-quality clinical trials support the use of everolimus as a standard immunosuppressive drug associated with reduced exposure of a CI in kidney transplantation. This combination could improve health related outcomes in kidney transplantation recipients. The present recommendations constitute an attempt to summarise the scientific evidence supporting this practice, discuss false beliefs, myths and facts, and offer specific guidelines for safe use, avoiding complications (AU)

Recommendations for the use of everolimus in de novo kidney transplantation: False beliefs, myths and realities. / Recomendaciones para el uso de everolimus en trasplante renal de novo: falsas creencias, mitos y realidades.

The immunosuppressive combination most commonly used in de novo kidney transplantation comprises a calcineurin inhibitor (CI), tacrolimus, a mycophenolic acid derivative and steroids. The evidence which underlies this practice is based in the Symphony trial with controlled follow-up of one year, in which no comparator group included the combination CI-mTOR inhibitor. Different high-quality clinical trials support the use of everolimus as a standard immunosuppressive drug associated with reduced exposure of a CI in kidney transplantation. This combination could improve health related outcomes in kidney transplantation recipients. The present recommendations constitute an attempt to summarise the scientific evidence supporting this practice, discuss false beliefs, myths and facts, and offer specific guidelines for safe use, avoiding complications.

Incidence of cardiovascular events and associated risk factors in kidney transplant patients: a competing risks survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among the renal transplant population accounts for increased mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of cardiovascular events and factors associated with cardiovascular events in these patients. METHODS: An observational ambispective follow-up study of renal transplant recipients (n = 2029) in the health district of A Coruña (Spain) during the period 1981-2011 was completed. Competing risk survival analysis methods were applied to estimate the cumulative incidence of developing cardiovascular events over time and to identify which characteristics were associated with the risk of these events. Post-transplant cardiovascular events are defined as the presence of myocardial infarction, invasive coronary artery therapy, cerebral vascular events, new-onset angina, congestive heart failure, rhythm disturbances, peripheral vascular disease and cardiovascular disease and death. The cause of death was identified through the medical history and death certificate using ICD9 (390-459, except: 427.5, 435, 446, 459.0). RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time of transplantation was 47.0 ± 14.2 years; 62% were male. 16.5% had suffered some cardiovascular disease prior to transplantation and 9.7% had suffered a cardiovascular event. The mean follow-up period for the patients with cardiovascular event was 3.5 ± 4.3 years. Applying competing risk methodology, it was observed that the accumulated incidence of the event was 5.0% one year after transplantation, 8.1% after five years, and 11.9% after ten years. After applying multivariate models, the variables with an independent effect for predicting cardiovascular events are: male sex, age of recipient, previous cardiovascular disorders, pre-transplant smoking and post-transplant diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: This study makes it possible to determine in kidney transplant patients, taking into account competitive events, the incidence of post-transplant cardiovascular events and the risk factors of these events. Modifiable risk factors are identified, owing to which, changes in said factors would have a bearing of the incidence of events.

A randomized clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of CO-oximetry and anti-smoking brief advice in a cohort of kidney transplant patients who smoke: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular risk in renal transplant patients is increased in patients who continue to smoke after transplantation. The aim of the study is to measure the effectiveness of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) measurement plus brief advisory sessions, in comparison to brief advice, to reduce smoking exposure and smoking behavior in kidney transplant recipients who smoke. The effectiveness will be measured by: (1) abandonment of smoking, (2) increase in motivation to stop smoking, and (3) reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day. DESIGN: a randomized, controlled, open clinical trial with blinded evaluation. SCOPE: A Coruña Hospital (Spain), reference to renal transplantation in the period 2012-2015. INCLUSION CRITERIA: renal transplant patients who smoke in the precontemplation, contemplation or preparation stages according to the Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change model, and who give their consent to participate. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: smokers attempting to stop smoking, patients with terminal illness or mental disability that prevents them from participating. RANDOMIZATION: patients will be randomized to the control group (brief advisory session) or the intervention group (brief advisory session plus measuring exhaled CO). The sample target size is n = 112, with 56 patients in each group. Allowing for up to 10 % loss to follow-up, this would provide 80 % power to detect a 13 % difference in attempting to give up smoking outcomes at a two-tailed significance level of 5 %. MEASUREMENTS: sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, treatment, rejection episodes, infections, self-reported smoking habit, drug use, level of dependence (the Fagerström test), stage of change (Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change model), and motivation to giving up smoking (the Richmond test). RESPONSE: the effectiveness will be evaluated every 3, 6, 9 and 12 months as: pattern of tobacco use (self-reported tobacco use), smoking cessation rates, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in exhaled air measured by CO-oximetry, urinary cotinine tests, nicotine dependence (Fagerström test), motivational stages of change (Prochaska and DiClemente's stages) and motivation to stop smoking (the Richmond test). ANALYSIS: descriptive statistics and linear/logistic multiple regression models will be performed. Clinical relevance will be measured as relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction and the number needed to treat. ETHICS: informed consent of the patients and Ethical Review Board was obtained (code 2011/061). DISCUSSION: Tobacco is a modifiable risk factor that increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. If effectiveness of CO-oximetry is confirmed to reduce tobacco exposure, we would have an intervention that is easy to use, low cost and with great implications about cardiovascular risk prevention in these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN16615772 . EudraCT number: 2015-002009-12.

Impacto del calibre de las agujas en la calidad de la hemodiálisis / Impact of the needle gauge in the quality of hemodialysis

Introducción: El flujo de sangre es uno de los factores íntimamente relacionado con la eficacia de la diálisis. Flujos altos de sangre se asocia a mejor calidad de diálisis y para ello, se recomienda el uso de agujas de gran calibre. Objetivo: Analizar el efecto del calibre de las agujas utilizadas en la punción de las fístulas arteriovenosas, así como, examinar su impacto en la percepción del dolor y en el tiempo de coagulación tras su retirada al finalizar la sesión. Material y método: Se ha llevado a cabo un estudio transversal. Se han recogido datos utilizando para la punción de la fístula arteriovenosa agujas de calibre 15G y 16G. Las variables recogidas han sido velocidad de bomba, flujo efectivo, Kt/V, presión venosa, duración de la sesión, tensión arterial sistólica, tensión arterial diastólica, recirculación, grado de dolor y tiempo de coagulación. Además, se han recogido las variables edad, sexo y localización del acceso vascular. Resultados: En 52 fístulas analizadas se ha encontrado diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el uso de los distintos calibres de aguja en las variables flujo de sangre efectivo, presión venosa y duración de la sesión. Discusión: Los resultados de nuestro estudio nos permiten recomendar el uso de aguja 15G ya que nos permitirán utilizar altos flujos de sangre sin generar morbilidad para el paciente, permitiendo alcanzar la dosis de diálisis recomendada en menos tiempo de tratamiento (AU)

Introduction: Blood flow is a factor closely related to the dialysis efficacy. High blood flows are associated with better quality of dialysis and therefore the use of large needle gauge is recommended. Objective: Analyze the effect of gauge needles in the puncture of arteriovenous fistulas and examine its impact on the perception of pain and bleeding time after his retirement at the end of the session. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected using 15G and 16G needles to puncture the arteriovenous fistula. The variables are pump speed, effective flow, Kt/V, venous pressure, session length, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, recirculation, degree of pain and clotting time. In addition, we have collected the variables age, sex and location of the vascular access. Results: In 52 analyzed fistulas found statistically significant differences in the use of different needle gauges in the variables effective blood flow, venous pressure and duration of the session. Discussion: The results of our study allow us to recommend the use of 15G needles because they will allow us to use high blood flows without generating morbidity for the patient, allowing reaching the recommended dose of dialysis treatment in less time (AU)

Uso de la ecografía como apoyo de la técnica de redireccionamiento de la aguja en el dolor de la fístula arteriovenosa durante la hemodiálisis / Using ultrasound as support for the redirection of the needle in the pain of arteriovenous fistula, during hemodialysis

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Éxito a largo plazo de un trasplante combinado de pulmón-riñón en un paciente con fibrosis quística / Long-term Success of Combined Kidney–Lung Transplantation in a Patient With Cystic Fibrosis

La enfermedad renal avanzada suele considerarse una contraindicación absoluta para el trasplante de pulmón, debido a la dificultad de manejo del paciente en el periodo postoperatorio, pero un trasplante combinado de pulmón-riñón podría ofrecer una oportunidad a algunos pacientes seleccionados con disfunción pulmonar y renal. En este trabajo se resume el éxito a largo plazo de un doble trasplante en un paciente varón de 38 años con fibrosis quística que presentaba también insuficiencia respiratoria. Tras un periodo postoperatorio complicado, el paciente vive en la actualidad de manera completamente independiente 46 meses después de la operación y disfruta de una excelente función pulmonar y renal (AU)

Advanced kidney disease is usually considered an absolute contraindication for lung transplantation due to the difficult management of these patients in the post-operative period. Combined lung–kidney transplantation, however, could offer an opportunity for selected patients with renal and pulmonary dysfunction. This study summarizes the long-term success of a double transplantation in a 38-year-old male patient with cystic fibrosis who presented respiratory and kidney failure. After a complicated post-operative period, the patient currently lives completely independently 46 months after the operation and he enjoys excellent pulmonary and renal function (AU)

Long-term success of combined kidney-lung transplantation in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Advanced kidney disease is usually considered an absolute contraindication for lung transplantation due to the difficult management of these patients in the post-operative period. Combined lung-kidney transplantation, however, could offer an opportunity for selected patients with renal and pulmonary dysfunction. This study summarizes the long-term success of a double transplantation in a 38-year-old male patient with cystic fibrosis who presented respiratory and kidney failure. After a complicated post-operative period, the patient currently lives completely independently 46 months after the operation and he enjoys excellent pulmonary and renal function.

Incidence of cardiovascular events after kidney transplantation and cardiovascular risk scores: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death after renal transplantation. Not only conventional CVD risk factors, but also transplant-specific risk factors can influence the development of CVD in kidney transplant recipients. The main objective of this study will be to determine the incidence of post-transplant CVD after renal transplantation and related factors. A secondary objective will be to examine the ability of standard cardiovascular risk scores (Framingham, REGICOR, SCORE, and DORICA) to predict post-transplantation cardiovascular events in renal transplant recipients, and to develop a new score for predicting the risk of CVD after kidney transplantation. METHODS/DESIGN: Observational prospective cohort study of all kidney transplant recipients in the A Coruna Hospital (Spain) in the period 1981-2008 (2059 transplants corresponding to 1794 patients). The variables included will be: donor and recipient characteristics, chronic kidney disease-related risk factors, pre-transplant and post-transplant cardiovascular risk factors, routine biochemistry, and immunosuppressive, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering treatment. The events studied in the follow-up will be: patient and graft survival, acute rejection episodes and cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, invasive coronary artery therapy, cerebral vascular events, new-onset angina, congestive heart failure, rhythm disturbances and peripheral vascular disease). Four cardiovascular risk scores were calculated at the time of transplantation: the Framingham score, the European Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) equation, and the REGICOR (Registre Gironi del COR (Gerona Heart Registry)), and DORICA (Dyslipidemia, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Risk) functions. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular events will be analyzed by competing risk survival methods. The clinical relevance of different variables will be calculated using the ARR (Absolute Risk Reduction), RRR (Relative Risk Reduction) and NNT (Number Needed to Treat). The ability of different cardiovascular risk scores to predict cardiovascular events will be analyzed by using the c index and the area under ROC curves. Based on the competing risks analysis, a nomogram to predict the probability of cardiovascular events after kidney transplantation will be developed. DISCUSSION: This study will make it possible to determine the post-transplant incidence of cardiovascular events in a large cohort of renal transplant recipients in Spain, to confirm the relationship between traditional and transplant-specific cardiovascular risk factors and CVD, and to develop a score to predict the risk of CVD in these patients.

Association of bladder adenocarcinoma and BK virus infection in a pancreatico-renal transplant recipient.

Viral infection has been related to post-transplantation tumour development, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C viruses, and herpes virus 8. Recently, BK virus (BKV) has emerged as an important cause of tumour formation in solid organ transplant recipients. BKV oncogenic potential relates to the ability to inactivate the functions of tumour suppression proteins p53 and pRB family, and induction of chromosomal aberrations. We report a case of urinary bladder adenocarcinoma in a pancreatico-renal transplant recipient which was diagnosed 2 years after BKV infection. Immunohistochemical staining for SV-40 was positive in neoplastic cells but negative in non-neoplastic cells.