Heart Failure, Neuropathy, and Spinal Stenosis.

A 60-year-old patient with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis had 2 months of chest pain and shortness of breath with exertion and 3 months of toe numbness. Laboratory testing showed elevated levels of high-sensitivity troponin, brain-type natriuretic peptide, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase; bone scintigraphy showed increased cardiac uptake. What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?

A pharmacist-managed dosing algorithm for darbepoetin alfa and iron sucrose in hemodialysis patients: A randomized, controlled trial.

The attainment of target hemoglobin levels in hemodialysis patients is low. Several factors play a role, such as hyporesponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), but also suboptimal prescribing of ESA and iron. The goal of this study was to investigate if a pharmacist-managed dosing algorithm for darbepoetin alfa (DA) and iron sucrose improves the attainment of target hemoglobin levels. In this randomized controlled trial, 200 hemodialysis patients from a Dutch teaching hospital were included. In the intervention group (n = 100), a pharmacist monthly provided dose recommendations for DA and iron sucrose based on dosing algorithms. The control group (n = 100) received usual care. In the intervention group, the percentage per patient within the target range (PTR) for hemoglobin (target range 6.8-7.4 mmol/L) and iron status was higher than in the control group (for hemoglobin median 38.5% vs 23.1%, P = .001 and for iron status median 21.1% vs 8.3%, P = .003). The percentage of high hemoglobin levels (>8.1 mmol/L) was lower in the intervention group (median 0.0% vs 7.7%, P = .034). The weekly dose of DA was lower in the intervention group (median 34.0 vs 46.9 mcg, P = .020), whereas iron dose was higher (median 75 vs 0 mg). No difference was found for the percentage of hemoglobin levels below the target range. In conclusion, a pharmacist-managed dosing algorithm for DA and iron sucrose increased the attainment of target levels for hemoglobin and iron status, reduced the percentage of high hemoglobin levels, and was associated with a lower DA and a higher iron sucrose dose.

Geriatric Assessment and the Relation with Mortality and Hospitalizations in Older Patients Starting Dialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A geriatric assessment (GA) is a structural method for identifying frail patients. The relation of GA findings and risk of death in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is not known. The objective of the GA in OLder patients starting Dialysis Study was to assess the association of GA at dialysis initiation with early mortality and hospitalization. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: Patients ≥65 years old were included just prior to dialysis initiation. All participants underwent a GA, including assessment of (instrumental) activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, cognition, mood, nutrition, and comorbidity. In addition, a frailty screening (Fried Frailty Index, [FFI]) was applied. Outcome measures were 6- and 12-month mortality, and 6-month hospitalization. Associations with mortality were assessed with cox-regression adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity burden, smoking, residual kidney function and dialysis modality. Associations with hospitalization were assessed with logistic regression, adjusting for relevant confounders. RESULTS: In all, 192 patients were included, mean age 75 ± 7 years, of whom 48% had ≥3 geriatric impairments and were considered frail. The FFI screening resulted in 46% frail patients. Mortality rate was 8 and 15% at 6- and 12-months after enrolment, and transplantation rate was 2 and 4% respectively. Twelve-month mortality risk was higher in patients with ≥3 impairments (hazard ratio [HR] 2.97 [95% CI 1.19-7.45]) compared to less impaired patients. FFI frail patients had a higher risk of 12-month mortality (HR 7.22 [95% CI 2.47-21.13]) and hospitalization (OR 1.93 [95% CI 1.00-3.72]) compared to fit patients. Malnutrition was associated with 12-month mortality, while impaired ADL and depressive symptoms were associated with 12-month mortality and hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty as assessed by a GA is related to mortality in elderly patients with ESKD. Individual components of the GA are related to both mortality and hospitalization. As the GA allows for distinguishing between frail and fit patients initiating dialysis, it is potentially of added value in the decision-making process concerning dialysis initiation.

Association of Initiation of Maintenance Dialysis with Functional Status and Caregiver Burden.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the functional course after initiating dialysis in elderly patients with ESKD. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the initiation of dialysis in an elderly population with functional status and caregiver burden. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS & MEASUREMENTS: This study included participants aged ≥65 years with ESKD who were enrolled in the Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients Starting Dialysis study. All underwent a geriatric assessment and a frailty screening (Fried Frailty Index and Groningen Frailty Indicator) at dialysis initiation. Functional status (activities of daily life and instrumental activities of daily life) and caregiver burden were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Decline was defined as loss of one or more domains in functional status, stable as no difference between baseline and follow-up, and improvement as gain of one or more domains in functional status. Logistic regression was performed to assess the association between the combined outcome functional decline/death and potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 196 included participants functional data were available for 187 participants. Mean age was 75±7 years and 33% were women. At the start of dialysis, 79% were care dependent in functional status. After 6 months, 40% experienced a decline in functional status, 34% remained stable, 18% improved, and 8% died. The prevalence of high caregiver burden increased from 23%-38% (P=0.004). In the multivariable analysis age (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.10 per year older at baseline) and a high Groningen Frailty Indicator compared with low score (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 3.68) were associated with functional decline/death. CONCLUSIONS: In patients aged ≥65 years, functional decline within the first 6 months after initiating dialysis is highly prevalent. The risk is higher in older and frail patients. Loss in functional status was mainly driven by decline in instrumental activities of daily life. Moreover, initiation of dialysis is accompanied by an increase in caregiver burden.

[A woman with abdominal pain after a meal]. / Een vrouw met progressieve buikpijn na een maaltijd.

A 57-year-old woman presented with pain in her upper right abdomen, since 3 days. Laboratory tests showed elevated inflammation markers and an increased amount of alkaline phosphatase. Abdominal CT showed a perforating object from the stomach, ending in the liver. Gastroscopy revealed that the object was a fish bone.

[Refractory urinary tract infections: diagnosis and treatment of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis]. / Een hardnekkige urineweginfectie: diagnose en behandeling van xanthogranulomateuze pyelonefritis.

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare inflammatory condition of the renal parenchyma that is associated with long-term partial obstruction and infections of the urinary tract. Because its symptoms can be non-specific, a diagnosis is often made with delay. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe 2 patients with frequently recurring urinary tract infections and urinary tract infections that were difficult to treat. Imaging studies unmasked a diffusely enlarged kidney and renal stones, leading to the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Both female patients were treated successfully by draining the affected kidney by means of a ureteral double-J catheter along with antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Imaging studies are important in patients with recurrent pyelonephritis or persistent pyelonephritis despite adequate antibiotic treatment; urinary tract obstructions and complications of pyelonephritis such as XGP can then be identified. When XGP is adequately treated by antibiotics and drainage of the affected kidney this can sometimes prevent having to perform a nephrectomy.

Small bowel angioedema due to acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency: a case report and overview.

Acquired angioedema is a rare disorder caused by an acquired deficiency of C1 inhibitor. It is characterized by nonpitting, nonpruritic subcutaneous or submucosal edema of the skin, or of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. When localized in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause severe abdominal pain, mimicking an acute surgical abdomen, or chronic recurrent pain of moderate intensity. We report a case of a 48-year-old man presenting with recurrent episodes of hypotension and abdominal pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed edema of the small bowel. The first determinations of C1 inhibitor level and activity, measured in a symptom-free period, were normal. Repetition of the laboratory tests in the acute phase, however, showed a low C1 inhibitor level. Further diagnostic work-up indicated an acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency caused by a monoclonal gammopathy. He was treated with tranexamic acid as prophylaxis for his frequent attacks and to date, he has remained symptom free. Acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency is a rare cause of angioedema and is, among others, related to autoantibodies and abnormal B-cell proliferation, for example monoclonal gammopathy. The diagnosis of acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency is made on the basis of the medical history and on the level and activity of plasma C4, C1q, and C1 inhibitor. In case of high suspicion and a normal C1 inhibitor activity, it is recommended to repeat this test during an angioedema attack. Early diagnosis is important for the treatment of severe, potentially life-threatening attacks and to start prophylactic treatment in patients with frequent or severe angioedema attacks.

Access blood flow and the risk of complications in mature forearm and upper arm arteriovenous fistulas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Optimization of vascular access use in the 'fistula first' era requires comprehension of its clinical behavior. Little is known about mature arteriovenous fistula (AVF) performance and the role of fistula location. Widely used access flow (Qa) was used to analyze complication risks and functionality after first hemodialysis use. METHODS: 178 Mature AVFs were analyzed. Complication was defined as permanent failure or >or=1 intervention. Factors associated with complications and mean Qa were determined using Cox proportional-hazards and linear regression models. RESULTS: Baseline Qa was significantly lower in complicated versus uncomplicated forearm and upper arm AVFs. In complicated forearm AVFs, preoperative arterial diameter was smaller while the risk of complications was graded per 100 ml/min baseline Qa increase. Diabetics had an increased risk of upper arm AVF complications. In uncomplicated forearm AVFs, diabetes was related to lower mean Qa, and BMI to higher Qa. CONCLUSIONS: In mature AVFs, baseline Qa depends on fistula location and is related to the risk of complications in a graded manner.

Hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula patency revisited: results of a prospective, multicenter initiative.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vascular access standards are predominantly based on older, single-center reports; however, the hemodialysis population has changed dramatically and primary arteriovenous fistula failure is a huge problem. This prospective, multicenter study used standardized definitions to analyze patency rates and potential risk factors that affect functional patency and late arteriovenous fistula functionality. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Eleven centers participated in a guidelines implementation program. All new permanent vascular accesses were included. Patency and functional patency, defined as access survival from creation and from first dialysis use, respectively, were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Risk factors for primary functional patency loss (intervention-free interval) and secondary failure (abandonment) were determined using regression models. RESULTS: A total of 491 arteriovenous fistulas were placed in 395 patients. Six-, 12-, and 18-mo secondary patency and functional patency were 75 +/- 2.0, 70 +/- 2.3, and 67 +/- 2.7% and 90 +/- 1.9, 88 +/- 2.2, and 86 +/- 2.7%, respectively. Primary failure rate was 40%. Thrombosis rate was 0.14 per patient-year. Diabetes and arteriovenous fistula surveillance were significantly associated with primary functional patency loss. Preoperative duplex was inversely related to secondary failure. The secondary failure rate per hospital varied from 0 to 39%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a marked difference between patency and functional patency, likely to be explained by high primary failure rates. Hemodialysis patients with diabetes can be expected to have reduced primary functional patency rates, but if treated adequately, then arteriovenous fistula functionality can be maintained as long as in patients without diabetes.