Short daily versus conventional hemodialysis quality of life: a cross-sectional multicentric study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease is a major health problem worldwide nowadays. Although conventional hemodialysis is the most widely used modality, short daily hemodialysis has been proposed as a more physiologic treatment. The objective of this article is to compare the quality of life of patients on each hemodialysis modality. METHODS: A multicentric cross-sectional study was performed in 9 Spanish hospitals. Patients treated for at least 3 months with conventional or short daily hemodialysis were included and quality of life measured using the Euroqol-5D quality of life questionnaire. Bayesian models were used for analyzing quality of life results. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were included, 27 were on daily hemodialysis and 66 on conventional hemodialysis. All models demonstrated a better quality of life for daily hemodialysis versus conventional hemodialysis. Only 14% of the patients on conventional hemodialysis were willing to change to a daily schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Short daily hemodialysis shows a better quality of life than conventional hemodialysis with all Bayesian approaches considered.

[Renal transplantation in the northwest of Spain: analysis of the activity in the region of Galicia]. / Trasplante renal en el noroeste español. Análisis de la actividad en la Comunidad Autnoma de Galicia.

BACKGROUND: Spain is the world leader in organ transplant rates, and the national average is maintained in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia. However, there is no official registry recording transplantation results in this region. In this paper we report a study of patient and graft survival and risk factors among kidney transplant patients in Galicia between January 1996 and December 2000. METHODS: Patients receiving kidney transplants in Galicia in the above period were monitored up to the end of 2001, deaths and graft losses were recorded and analysed by actuarial and Kaplan-Meier methods, and possible risk factors for death and graft loss were evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: In the study period, 672 kidneys were transplanted, all from deceased donors. Graft and patient survival rates were respectively 80% and 94% after 1 year, and 67% and 83%, after 5 years. Two-thirds of graft losses occurred within the first year and the most common cause was vascular thrombosis (44%). Independent risk factors for graft loss were donor asystole (relative risk [RR] = 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73-6.73), donor age (RR = 1.54, CI: 1.05-2.27 for 40-60-year-olds, RR = 2.59, CI: 1.66-4.07 for over-60s, relative to under-40s), donation from outside the institution in which implant was performed (RR = 1.43, CI: 1.02-2.02), acute rejection (RR = 2.32, CI: 1.63-3.22), and retransplantation (RR = 1.56, CI: 1.03-2.37). The main causes of death were infections (38%), followed by cardiovascular pathologies (30%) and tumours (11%). CONCLUSIONS: The kidney transplant rate varies excessively within Galicia; the global rate is 50 per million inhabitants per year. Patient survival is similar to those recorded in national registers, but graft survival is deficient, apparently due to a high incidence of vascular thrombosis.

Trasplante renal en el noroeste español. Análisis de la actividad en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia / Renal transplantation in the northwest of spain: analysis of the activity in the region of Galicia

Introducción: España encabeza la actividad trasplantadora internacional y Galiciase sitúa en un nivel semejante; sin embargo, la ausencia de registros oficialesimpide tener conocimiento de los resultados en esta Comunidad Autónoma.Por ello, analizamos el trasplante renal en Galicia en los últimos años, para determinarsus resultados en cuanto a supervivencia y factores de riesgo.Metodología: Seguimiento, entre uno y seis años, de los trasplantes realizadosen Galicia entre enero-1996 y diciembre-2000, analizando pérdidas de injertos ypacientes en función de distintas variables relacionadas con receptor y donante.Para estudiar la supervivencia se utilizaron los métodos actuarial y de Kaplan-Meier, y para evaluar factores de riesgo, el modelo de riesgos proporcionales deCox.Resultados: Se realizaron 672 trasplantes, todos procedentes de donante cadáver,siendo la supervivencia del injerto del 80% y 67% después de uno y cincoaños; mientras que la del paciente fue del 94% y 83%. El 67% de las pérdidasde injerto se producen en los primeros doce meses, siendo la causa más frecuentela trombosis vascular (44%). Los factores de riesgo independientes para la pérdidadel injerto fueron donación en asistolia (riesgo relativo [HR] = 3,41; intervalode confianza al 95% [CI]: 1,73-6,73); edad del donante (RR = 1,54, IC: 1,05-2,27 entre 40-60 años; RR = 2,59, CI: 1,66-4,07 en mayores de 60; siempre enrelación a los menores de 40); injerto generado en hospital no trasplantador (RR= 1,43; CI: 1,02-2,02); rechazo agudo (RR = 2,32; CI: 1,63-3,22) y retrasplante(RR = 1,56; CI: 1,03-2,37). Las infecciones fueron la principal causa de muerte(38%), seguidas de patologías cardiovasculares (30%) y tumores (11%).Conclusiones: La tasa de trasplantes, aunque con significativas diferencias territoriales,es de 50 por millón de población y la supervivencia del paciente es comparablea la de cualquier registro internacional; sin embargo, la supervivencia delinjerto, posiblemente debido a elevada incidencia de trombosis vascular, es manifiestamentemejorable

Background: Spain is the world leader in organ transplant rates, and the nationalaverage is maintained in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia. However,there is no official registry recording transplantation results in this region. In thispaper we report a study of patient and graft survival and risk factors among kidneytransplant patients in Galicia between january 1996 and december 2000.Methods: Patients receiving kidney transplants in Galicia in the above periodwere monitored up to the end of 2001, deaths and graft losses were recordedand analysed by actuarial and Kaplan-Meier methods, and possible risk factors fordeath and graft loss were evaluated using Cox’s proportional hazards model.Results: In the study period, 672 kidneys were transplanted, all from deceaseddonors. Graft and patient survival rates were respectively 80% and 94% after1 year, and 67% and 83% after 5 years. Two-thirds of graft losses occurred withinthe first year and the most common cause was vascular thrombosis (44%).Independent risk factors for graft loss were donor asystole (relative risk [RR] =3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73-6.73), donor age (RR = 1.54, CI: 1.05-2.27 for 40-60-year-olds, RR = 2.59, CI: 1.66-4.07 for over-60s, relative to under-40s), donation from outside the institution in which implant was performed (RR= 1.43, CI: 1.02-2.02), acute rejection (RR = 2.32, CI: 1.63-3.22), and retransplantation(RR = 1.56, CI: 1.03-2.37). The main causes of death were infections(38%), followed by cardiovascular pathologies (30%) and tumours (11%).Conclusions: The kidney transplant rate varies excessively within Galicia; the globalrate is 50 per million inhabitants per year. Patient survival is similar to thoserecorded in national registers, but graft survival is deficient, apparently due to ahigh incidence of vascular thrombosis

Trasplante renal en el noroeste español. Análisis de la actividad en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia / Renal transplantation in northwestern Spain

Introducción: España encabeza la actividad trasplantadora internacional y Galicia se sitúa en un nivel semejante; sin embargo, la ausencia de registros oficiales impide tener conocimiento de los resultados en esta Comunidad Autónoma. Por ello, analizamos el trasplante renal en Galicia en los últimos años, para determinar sus resultados en cuanto a supervivencia y factores de riesgo. Metodología: Seguimiento, entre uno y seis años, de los trasplantes realizados en Galicia entre enero-1996 y diciembre-2000, analizando pérdidas de injertos y pacientes en función de distintas variables relacionadas con receptor y donante. Para estudiar la supervivencia se utilizaron los métodos actuarial y de Kaplan- Meier, y para evaluar factores de riesgo, el modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox. Resultados: Se realizaron 672 trasplantes, todos procedentes de donante cadáver, siendo la supervivencia del injerto del 80% y 67% después de uno y cinco años; mientras que la del paciente fue del 94% y 83%. El 67% de las pérdidas de injerto se producen en los primeros doce meses, siendo la causa más frecuente la trombosis vascular (44%). Los factores de riesgo independientes para la pérdida del injerto fueron donación en asistolia (riesgo relativo [HR] = 3,41; intervalo de confianza al 95% [CI]: 1,73-6,73); edad del donante (RR = 1,54, IC: 1,05- 2,27 entre 40-60 años; RR = 2,59, CI: 1,66-4,07 en mayores de 60; siempre en relación a los menores de 40); injerto generado en hospital no trasplantador (RR = 1,43; CI: 1,02-2,02); rechazo agudo (RR = 2,32; CI: 1,63-3,22) y retrasplante (RR = 1,56; CI: 1,03-2,37). Las infecciones fueron la principal causa de muerte (38%), seguidas de patologías cardiovasculares (30%) y tumores (11%). Conclusiones: La tasa de trasplantes, aunque con significativas diferencias territoriales, es de 50 por millón de población y la supervivencia del paciente es comparable a la de cualquier registro internacional; sin embargo, la supervivencia del injerto, posiblemente debido a elevada incidencia de trombosis vascular, es manifiestamente mejorable

Background: Spain is the world leader in organ transplant rates, and the national average is maintained in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia. However, there is no official registry recording transplantation results in this region. In this paper we report a study of patient and graft survival and risk factors among kidney transplant patients in Galicia between january 1996 and december 2000. Methods: Patients receiving kidney transplants in Galicia in the above period were monitored up to the end of 2001, deaths and graft losses were recorded and analysed by actuarial and Kaplan-Meier methods, and possible risk factors for death and graft loss were evaluated using Cox’s proportional hazards model. Results: In the study period, 672 kidneys were transplanted, all from deceased donors. Graft and patient survival rates were respectively 80% and 94% after 1 year, and 67% and 83% after 5 years. Two-thirds of graft losses occurred within the first year and the most common cause was vascular thrombosis (44%). Independent risk factors for graft loss were donor asystole (relative risk [RR] = 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73-6.73), donor age (RR = 1.54, CI: 1.05- 2.27 for 40-60-year-olds, RR = 2.59, CI: 1.66-4.07 for over-60s, relative to under- 40s), donation from outside the institution in which implant was performed (RR = 1.43, CI: 1.02-2.02), acute rejection (RR = 2.32, CI: 1.63-3.22), and retransplantation (RR = 1.56, CI: 1.03-2.37). The main causes of death were infections (38%), followed by cardiovascular pathologies (30%) and tumours (11%). Conclusions: The kidney transplant rate varies excessively within Galicia; the global rate is 50 per million inhabitants per year. Patient survival is similar to those recorded in national registers, but graft survival is deficient, apparently due to a high incidence of vascular thrombosis

Comportamiento de la vancomicina con las nuevas técnicas de diálisis / Behaviour of vancomycin with the new techniques in haemodialysis

Con el uso de técnicas de diálisis de alta convección surge la necesidad de plantearsela idoneidad de los protocolos habituales de administración de algunos fármacos,como la vancomicina.Objetivos: Confirmar si la pauta habitual de vancomicina es eficaz en pacientes atratamiento con biofiltración libre de acetato (AFB) y hemodiafiltración en línea(On-line). Proponer una pauta alternativa de administración.Materiales y métodos: Trece pacientes a tratamiento con AFB u On-line. Diez utilizabanfiltros de polisulfona y 3 de AN69. Primera parte: a 6 pacientes se les administró1 g iv de vancomicina en la última hora de diálisis. Segunda parte: a 7 pacientesse les administró una dosis de ataque de 30 mg/kg iv durante las dos últimas horas dediálisis, con un refuerzo de 500 mg post-diálisis. Se hizo un seguimiento de los nivelessanguíneos del antibiótico durante la semana siguiente a la administración.Resultados: En la primera fase se observó un descenso del 41% de los niveles séricosde vancomicina durante la diálisis, condicionando niveles subterapéuticos enel 83% de los pacientes hasta el final del estudio. Durante la segunda fase se consiguiómantener niveles terapéuticos y no tóxicos durante todo el estudio. Se confirmóla existencia de un rebote post-diálisis del 21%. Con la técnica de On-line se conseguíaun mayor aclaramiento de vancomicina que con AFB (176 vs 135 ml/min). Encontramosuna fuerte correlación entre el descenso del antibiótico y el volumen ultrafiltradocon la técnica de On-line.Conclusiones: La pauta habitual de vancomicina puede resultar insuficiente enpacientes a tratamiento con On-line y AFB. Podría ser adecuada una pauta basadaen una dosis de ataque de 30 mg/kg y un refuerzo de 500 mg al final de cada diálisis.Posiblemente el aclaramiento de este antibiótico con la técnica de On-line seproduzca por transporte convectivo

When using high convection dialysis techniques it arouses the necessity of consideringthe suitability of the regular protocols when administrating drugs, such as vancomycin. Objectives: To confirm if the usual guideline of vancomycin is efficient in patientsundergoing treatments with acetate free biofiltration (AFB) and haemodiafiltrationon-line (on-line). To propose an alternative guideline of administration.Material and methods: 13 patients treated with AFB or On-line. 10 of them usedfilters of polysulfone and 3 of them of AN69. First part: 6 patients were administered1 g iv during the last hour of dialysis. Second part: 7 patients were given a loadingdose of 30 mg/kg iv with a reinforcement of 500 mg post-dialysis. The blood levelsof the antibiotic were monitorized during the week following the administration.Outcomes: During the first phase it was noticed a decrease of 41% in the serumlevel of vancomycin during dialysis, conditioning subtherapeutic levels in the 83% ofthe patients until the end of the study. As for the second phase, therapeutic non-toxiclevels were maintained during the whole study. The existence of a post-dialysis reboundof the 21% was confirmed. A bigger clearance of vancomycin was obtainedwith the On-line technique rather than with AFB (176 vs 135 ml/min). We find astrong correlation between the decrease of the antibiotic and the volume ultrafiltratedwith the On-line technique.Conclusions: The usual guideline of vancomycin may not be enough with the newconvective dialysis techniques. A guideline based on a loading dose of 30 mg/kg anda reinforcement of 500 mg at the end of each dialysis could be adequate. The antibioticclearance with the On-line technique is probably made by convective transport

Factores de riesgo para la desestimación de riñones en Galicia. ¿Es posible incrementar su utilización? / Risk factors for refusing kidneys in galicia. ¿is it possible to increase its use?

Los cambios demográficos, junto con el incremento de la demanda de órganos yde la experiencia de los equipos trasplantadores, conlleva una constante modificaciónde las características de los donantes y, en consecuencia, de la proporción deórganos utilizados y desestimados.Pretendemos analizar la utilización y desestimación de riñones generados en Galicia,para lo cual hicimos un seguimiento de los donantes renales generados entre1996 y 2000, estudiando las causas de no extracción y desestimación de riñones yanalizando la influencia que sobre ellas ejercen las características de los donantes.Para evaluar factores de riesgo de no utilización de los injertos se elaboraron modelosde regresión logística múltiple, estimando odds ratios con intervalos de confianzaal 95%.Se extrajeron 836 riñones de 433 donantes, de los que se implantaron 697. El17% de los órganos extraídos, porcentaje que en los dos últimos años se aproximóal 25%, se desestimaron, bien por resultados de las biopsias (27%), patologías previasdel donante (22%), problemas anatómicos (16%), isquemia prolongada(12%) o ausencia de receptor (14%).La edad media de los injertos desechados fue significativamente mayor que la delos implantados, de modo que superar los 45 años representó un factor de riesgo independientepara la desestimación de riñones (OR = 1,76 y p = 0,05, para edadesentre 45 y 59 años; OR = 6,1 y p = 0,000, para mayores de 60 años), al igual que lofueron los antecedentes de hipertensión arterial (OR = 1,59 y p = 0,044), los niveleselevados de creatinina sérica (OR = 1,83 y p = 0,005) y la presencia de anticuerposfrente al virus de la hepatitis C (OR = 5,65 y p = 0,001) y para el antígeno del corede la hepatitis B (OR = 2,91 y p = 0,017).En definitiva, los donantes añosos y con patología asociada permiten incrementarel número de injertos, aunque conllevan un incremento de los desestimados, que alcanzancasi el 20% de los generados; sin embargo, más de la mitad de los mismosse desecharon por causas potencialmente evitables, por lo que podrían haber sidovalorados para implantar en receptores límites

Introduction. Demographic changes along with an increase in the demand oforgans and an increase in the expertise of transplantation teams, lead to a constantmodification of donors’ characteristics and, accordingly, of the supply of theorgans used and refused.Objective. Analyze the use and refusal of kidneys generated in Galicia.Subjects and method. A follow-up of kidney donors was carried out between1996 and 2000, studying the reasons for non extraction and refusal of kidneysand analyzing the influence that donors’ characteristics have on them. In order toevaluate the risk factors of not using grafts, multiple logistic regression patternswere made, assessing odds ratios with confidence intervals at 95%.Results. 836 kidneys were recovered from 433 donors, and 697 were implantedout of them. 17% of the organs extracted, a percentage approaching 25% inthe two latest years, were discarded, due to the biopsy findings (27%), donor’sprevious conditions (22%), anatomical disorders (16%), prolonged cold ischemia(12%) or recipient not located or unsuitable (14%).The average age of refused grafts was significantly higher than that of implantedones, in such a way that having more than 45 years old was an independentrisk for refusing kidneys (OR = 1.76 and p = 0.05, for 45-59 years old; OR = 6.1and p = 0.000, for older than 60 years old). The same happened with history ofhypertension (OR = 1.59 and p = 0.044), high serum creatinine level (OR = 1.83and p = 0.005) and positive serology for HCV (OR = 5.65 and p = 0.001) andanti-HBc (OR = 2.91 and p = 0.017).Conclusions. Elderly donors and donors with concomitant diseases enable us toincrease the number of grafts, although they also lead to an increase in refusals,which nearly amounts to 20% of the ones generated. However, more than thehalf were refusede due to pontentially avoidable reasons and therefore these couldhave been valued for transplantation to limit recipients

[Behaviour of vancomycin with the new techniques in haemodialysis]. / Comportamiento de la vancomicina con tas nuevas técnicas de diálisis.

UNLABELLED: When using high convection dialysis techniques it arouses the necessity of considering the suitability of the regular protocols when administrating drugs, such as vancomycin. OBJECTIVES: To confirm if the usual guideline of vancomycin is efficient in patients undergoing treatments with acetate free biofiltration (AFB) and haemodiafiltration on-line (on-line). To propose an alternative guideline of administration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 13 patients treated with AFB or On-line. 10 of them used filters of polysulfone and 3 of them of AN69. First part: 6 patients were administered 1 g iv during the last hour of dialysis. Second part: 7 patients were given a loading dose of 30 mg/kg iv with a reinforcement of 500 mg post-dialysis. The blood levels of the antibiotic were monitorized during the week following the administration. OUTCOMES: During the first phase it was noticed a decrease of 41% in the serum level of vancomycin during dialysis, conditioning subtherapeutic levels in the 83% of the patients until the end of the study. As for the second phase, therapeutic non-toxic levels were maintained during the whole study. The existence of a post-dialysis rebound of the 21 % was confirmed. A bigger clearance of vancomycin was obtained with the On-line technique rather than with AFB (176 vs 135 ml/min). We find a strong correlation between the decrease of the antibiotic and the volume ultrafiltrated with the On-line technique. CONCLUSIONS: The usual guideline of vancomycin may not be enough with the new convective dialysis techniques. A guideline based on a loading dose of 30 mg/kg and a reinforcement of 500 mg at the end of each dialysis could be adequate. The antibiotic clearance with the On-line technique is probably made by convective transport.

[Risk factors for refusing kidneys in Galicia. Is it possible to increase its use?]. / Factores de riesgo para la desestimación de riñones en Galicia. Es posible incrementar su utilización?

INTRODUCTION: Demographic changes along with an increase in the demand of organs and an increase in the expertise of transplantation teams, lead to a constant modification of donors' characteristics and, accordingly, of the supply of the organs used and refused. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the use and refusal of kidneys generated in Galicia. Subjects and method. A follow-up of kidney donors was carried out between 1996 and 2000, studying the reasons for non extraction and refusal of kidneys and analyzing the influence that donors' characteristics have on them. In order to evaluate the risk factors of not using grafts, multiple logistic regression patterns were made, assessing odds ratios with confidence intervals at 95%. RESULTS: 836 kidneys were recovered from 433 donors, and 697 were implanted out of them. 17% of the organs extracted, a percentage approaching 25% in the two latest years, were discarded, due to the biopsy findings (27%), donor's previous conditions (22%), anatomical disorders (16%), prolonged cold ischemia (12%) or recipient not located or unsuitable (14%). The average age of refused grafts was significantly higher than that of implanted ones, in such a way that having more than 45 years old was an independent risk for refusing kidneys (OR = 1.76 and p = 0.05, for 45-59 years old; OR = 6.1 and p = 0.000, for older than 60 years old). The same happened with history of hypertension (OR = 1.59 and p = 0.044), high serum creatinine level (OR = 1.83 and p = 0.005) and positive serology for HCV (OR = 5.65 and p = 0.001) and anti-HBc (OR = 2.91 and p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly donors and donors with concomitant diseases enable us to increase the number of grafts, although they also lead to an increase in refusals, which nearly amounts to 20% of the ones generated. However, more than the half were refused due to pontentially avoidable reasons and therefore these could have been valued for transplantation to limit recipients.

Immunoprophylaxis with Simulect (basiliximab) in kidney transplantation: results from routine clinical practice at 18 kidney transplant units.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess a Simulect (basiliximab) regimen in routine clinical practice in the Spanish kidney transplantation units to evaluate efficacy and safety. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, data on demographics, parameters of efficacy, and safety in patients who under with kidney transplantation treated with Simulect (basiliximab) were collected through an on-line collection system. RESULTS: One hundred sixty three patients at 18 kidney transplant units included 12 months follow-up. The patient mean age was 52 years (DS 13,67) including 96 (58.90%) men and 67 (41.10%) women. Cold ischemia time was 19 hours (DS 6,79). Only 2 patients presented with PRA >50%. For prophylactic immunosuppression, 67.13% of patients received triple therapy with CNI (cyclosporine 49.65% or tacrolimus 17.48%), MMF (66.43%) or AZA (10.49%), and steroids. Incidence of acute rejection (AR) at 12 months was 12.27% (1.84% steroid-resistant). In subgroup analysis, AR was 13.5% in nondiabetics and 4.5% in diabetics, including 3 steroid-resistant episodes (1.84%) in nondiabetics and none in diabetics. In relation to donor age, AR was incidence 10.3% in patients with kidneys from donors aged 50 years or younger and 10.6% when donors were older than 50 years, including 1 (1.73%) and 2 (1.93%) steroid-resistant episodes, respectively. The graft and patient survival rates at 12 months were 90% and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Simulect (basiliximab) used in routine clinical practice provided good prophylaxis against acute rejection in several kidney transplant patient populations, similar to that observed in randomized clinical studies with excellent tolerability and safety.

[Ureteral implantation in peritoneum. Exceptional complication in renal transplantation]. / Implantación ureteral en peritoneo. Una complicación excepcional en el trasplante renal.

Because of the extraperitoneal location, generally used for renal grafting, intraperitoneal urine leaks are a rare complication after transplantation. We report a patient on peritoneal dialysis who developed ascites, abdominal pain, anuria and shock suddenly after renal transplantation. The patient was immediately taken back to the operating room. An abnormal implantation of ureter into the peritoneum overlying the bladder when carrying out an unstented parallel incision extravesical ureterone-ocystostomy was identified. After correcting ureter implantation the patient had immediate diuresis, renal function rapidly improved, with no further complications. Contributing causes were poor exposure, thickened peritoneum secondary to recurrent peritonitis, and the presence of residual peritoneal dialysis fluid.

Implantación ureteral en peritoneo. Una complicación excepcional en el trasplante renal / Ureteral implantation into periotoneum. An unusual complication of kidney transplantation

En el trasplante renal la fuga de orina intraperitoneal es una complicación rara, debido a la implantación habitual en retroperitoneo. Informamos del caso de un paciente en diálisis peritoneal que inmediatamente al trasplante presenta ascitis, dolor abdominal, anuria y shock. Con rapidez es llevado de nuevo a quirófano. Se identificó una implantación del uréter en peritoneo y no en vejiga, en el curso de una ureteroneocistostomía extravesical no tutorizada. Después de corregir la implantación ureteral el paciente recuperó la diuresis, mejoró rápidamente su función renal, sin más complicaciones. Fueron factores contribuyentes la limitada exposición, el engrosamiento peritoneal secundario a peritonitis recurrente y la presencia de fluido de diálisis peritoneal residual (AU)

Cerivastatina e insuficiencia renal aguda por rabdomiólisis / No disponible

No disponible

Short-term effect of atorvastatin in hypercholesterolaemic renal-transplant patients unresponsive to other statins.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis associated with hyperlipidaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. Atorvastatin is a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that has shown a favourable profile of lipid reduction when compared with other statins. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in hypercholesterolaemic renal transplant patients who had previously been on statins with little or no effect. METHODS: Atorvastatin, 10 mg/day, was administered to 10 renal transplant recipients with persistent hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol >240 mg/dl) for a period of 3 months. All of them had already been on statins for at least 3 months. RESULTS: Atorvastatin exerted a satisfactory lipid-lowering effect in seven of 10 patients. On average, serum total cholesterol (311+/-36.2 vs 253+/-48.8 mg/dl; P:<0.05) and serum LDL cholesterol (184+/-30.9 vs 136+/-22.9 mg/dl; P:<0.05) significantly decreased after atorvastatin therapy, whereas serum HDL cholesterol (86+/-14.6 vs 84+/-22.1 mg/dl) remained unchanged. In five subjects with a baseline serum triglyceride level above 150 mg/dl, a marked reduction in triglycerides was also observed (261+/-80.3 vs 193+/-53.3 mg/dl; P:<0.05). Lp(a) did not significantly change (13+/-16.3 vs 15+/-23.9 mg/dl, P:=NS). Serum creatinine, transaminases, creatinine phosphokinase (55+/-21.3 vs 56+/-29.4 IU/l) and fasting cyclosporin A levels were unaffected. The drug was generally well tolerated and neither myositis nor rhabdomyolysis was reported. CONCLUSION: Short-term therapy with the new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, atorvastatin, appears to be effective in lowering atherogenic lipids in renal transplant patients who had had little or no response to other statins.

Long-term anti-proteinuric effect of Losartan in renal transplant recipients treated for hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is common after renal transplantation. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists are a new class of agents that, without the side-effects mediated by kinins, have shown their efficacy in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Losartan for the treatment of hypertension and to evaluate its long-term effect on graft function in a group of stable renal transplant patients. METHODS: Eighteen non-diabetic renal transplant recipients evaluated at our unit for more than 1 year after transplantation (13-155 months) were enrolled. Losartan was administered for a period of 14. 2+/-6.86 (6-28) months at a dose of 25-100 mg/day depending on the antihypertensive response obtained. RESULTS: Losartan satisfactorily lowered systemic blood pressure. Overall graft function remained stable and a significant reduction in proteinuria was observed throughout the period on Losartan (1.0+/-0.87 vs 0.4+/-0.83 g/l, P=0. 003). No serious side-effects were reported except for a significant reduction in the mean haemoglobin concentration (from 13.5+/-1.74 g/dl to 12.2+/-2.19 g/dl; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A satisfactory antihypertensive effect was observed with long-term therapy with Losartan. A significant reduction in proteinuria without adversely affecting graft function was the main beneficial effect observed. Losartan was generally well tolerated and a decrease in haemoglobin was the major side-effect.

Atherosclerosis profile and microalbuminuria in essential hypertension.

Whether microalbuminuria (MA) is the result of intrarenal hemodynamic changes induced by increased systemic blood pressure (BP) or a marker of capillary leakiness at the glomerular level that reflects more generalized atherosclerotic vascular damage is still debated. To address this question, 319 patients without diabetes, 154 men and 165 women aged 57 +/- 8.6 years (range, 37 to 73 years), but with essential hypertension (EH) never treated with drugs were enrolled onto the study. Using a multiple linear regression analysis, we analyzed the prevalence of MA and its relationship with BP level as well as with other risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. MA was present in 40% of the population studied. A univariable analysis of ambulatory BP monitoring measurements showed that only 24-hour systolic BP (P = 0.04), daytime systolic BP (P = 0. 02), and 24-hour daytime and nighttime systolic BP load (P < 0.01) predicted the presence of MA, whereas all BP variability parameters significantly predicted it. Multivariable analysis showed that only a positive family history of hypertension (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0. 001), glucose (P < 0.001), and 24-hour systolic BP coefficient of variation (P < 0.001) independently predicted MA. In summary, the prevalence of MA in our group of patients with EH was high, presumably as a consequence of the older mean age of the population and the selection criteria. Besides being a marker of concomitant cardiovascular damage, MA was associated with a worse pattern of atherosclerotic risk factors. Although its pathophysiological meaning remains to be completely clarified, MA seems to be more related to other atherosclerosis risk factors and presumably reflects a more diffuse vascular injury.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism exacerbation: a rare side-effect of interferon-alpha?

Recombinant human interferon alpha (alpha IFN) is the only treatment with proven benefit for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Nevertheless its use in some susceptible individuals has led to the development or aggravation of different autoimmune conditions. We report the case of a 20 year old woman on peritoneal dialysis with chronic lobular hepatitis secondary to HCV infection who developed de novo psoriasis 9 months after starting treatment with alpha-IFN. In addition to psoriasis, alpha-IFN prescription was also concurrent with an unexpected and refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism exacerbation initially characterized by a marked reduction of serum calcium levels and a consequential increase of PTH. Both complications disappeared after drug withdrawal. The clinical sequence makes an alpha-IFN-induced autoimmune side effect the most plausible hypothesis. The case is discussed and some possible etiopathogenic factors are briefly reviewed.

Renal artery rupture secondary to pretransplantation Candida contamination of the graft in two different recipients.

Infected graft transplantation is an unwelcome complication that may lead to serious consequences in the immunosuppressed host. It can be caused by infection of the donor or by contamination of the organ during harvest, preservation and handling, or at transplantation. With current donor evaluation protocols, the risk of transmitting infections by exogenous contaminated grafts seems to be more frequent than true donor-transmitted infections. Nevertheless, although rare and usually free of clinically significant sequelae, if contamination is by some virulent organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative bacilli, or fungi, severe complications may occur. We report the clinical outcome of liver, heart, and kidney recipients from a single donor. Both renal allografts had to be removed because of renal artery rupture secondary to Candida albicans infection. Careful donor evaluation before transplantation, unusually early presentation of mycosis leading to anastomotic renal artery disruption, the histopathologic findings of the grafts, and the absence of Candida infection in the liver and heart recipients make us believe that exogenous contamination of the grafts occurred during donor procedure, kidney processing, or at transplantation. In summary, because infected grafts can lead to serious complications, besides careful donor screening, it is important to achieve early recognition of contaminated organs by culturing the perfusate to start specific antibiotic or antifungal therapy after transplantation if necessary and avoid the rare but, in this case, fatal consequences of these infections.