Contemporary review of management techniques for cephalic arch stenosis in hemodialysis.

The type of hemodialysis access and its preservation impact the quality of life and survival of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Vascular access complications are among the top causes of morbidity, hospitalization, and catheter use, with significant economic burden. Poor maturation and stenosis continue to be key impediments to upper arm arteriovenous fistula feasibility. Cephalic arch is a common location for vascular access dysfunction due to its distinctive anatomy, complex valves, and biochemical alterations attributable to renal failure. Understanding cephalic arch stenosis is critical due to its high prevalence and treatment failure. The appropriate management option is highly debatable and mostly dependent on patient characteristics and interventionist's preference. Current options include, percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty, stent grafts, bare metal stents, cutting balloon angioplasty, endovascular banding, and surgical procedures. This article discusses the etiologies of cephalic arch stenosis as well as currents trends in management including endovascular and surgical options.

Iatrogenic Fistula in Hemodialysis Patients: An Alternative Approach to Thrombectomy of Arteriovenous Graft (AVG) Thrombosis.

Arterial venous (AV) fistula is the first choice of vascular access to perform hemodialysis in the vast majority of suitable patients followed by arteriovenous grafts (AVG). An iatrogenic fistula can occur when a second vein adjacent to the graft is punctured and the needle traverses the vein. In normal circumstances, this has no clinical repercussions and does not need correction, and in prior reports, it has helped to maintain the patency of partially occluded grafts but rarely can lead to thrombosis of the graft due to reduced flow and pressure in the graft lumen. We report here what we believe is a unique approach to perform thrombectomy of an occluded graft in a 71-year-old patient on hemodialysis to avoid placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters and complications associated with catheters. When the outflow of basilic vein in this patient was thrombosed and could not be traversed, we successfully used an iatrogenic fistula as main outflow vein for the graft and created an alternative vein for drainage thus avoiding placement of a tunneled catheter for hemodialysis.

Median Nerve and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in a Hemodialysis Patient Following Creation of an Arteriovenous Fistula.

Neurological and vascular complications associated with creation of arteriovenous access need to be recognized promptly to deliver appropriate interventions for relief of symptoms and avoid loss of function of the involved extremity. We present here a 55-year-old female with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis secondary to diabetic nephropathy who had a surgical creation of first stage of the brachial artery-basilic vein fistula in the left arm. She subsequently developed pain and weakness of the left arm which was diagnosed as median and ulnar nerve entrapment. She was treated with surgical nerve release and neurolysis and her symptoms improved.

Bartonella-Associated Endocarditis with Severe Active Crescentic Glomerulonephritis and Acute Renal Failure.

We report a case of severe acute kidney failure due to crescentic glomerulonephritis who presented initially with culture-negative endocarditis with vegetations on the aortic valve. Anti-nuclear and anti-phospholipid antibodies were positive with initially negative anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs). Kidney biopsy revealed severe acute crescentic glomerulonephritis with mesangial immune complex deposition. PR3-ANCA subsequently become positive, and the patient developed worsening kidney failure requiring hemodialysis. This case illustrates that Bartonella can present as culture-negative endocarditis with severe crescentic glomerulonephritis with positive PR-3 ANCAs and can mimic ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Renal matrix Gla protein expression increases progressively with CKD and predicts renal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) is a potent inhibitor of ectopic calcification and modulates bone morphogenesis. Little is known about MGP expression or function in kidney. METHODS: We investigated renal MGP expression in Sprague-Dawley rats after 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) and in human kidney biopsies in the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) cohort. We analyzed associations between glomerular (n = 182) and tubulointerstitial (TI) (n = 219) MGP mRNA levels and the disease activity/histologic features in NEPTUNE patients. Additionally, uncarboxylated and carboxylated MGP (ucMGP and cMGP, respectively) were localized by immunohistochemistry and quantitated in kidney tissues of patients at different stages of CKD (n = 18). RESULTS: Renal MGP expression was increased in rats after 5/6 Nx. In NEPTUNE data, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) negatively correlated with glomerular and TI MGP expression (p <0.001). TI MGP expression strongly correlated with interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, acute tubular injury, and interstitial inflammation, independent of eGFR. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression showed that higher levels of TI MGP expression were associated with an increased risk for the composite of 40% decline in eGFR and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (HR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.31 to 6.32; p =0.02). Glomerular and tubulointerstitial cells demonstrated nuclear and cytoplasmic cMGP and ucMGP staining, and eGFR inversely correlated with quantified glomerular cMGP staining (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that renal MGP expression is increased in human and experimental CKD, and is associated with renal outcome. Additional studies are needed to determine its mechanism of action.

Increased use of brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas improves functional primary patency.

OBJECTIVE: As vascular surgeons strive to meet the Fistula First Initiative, some authors have observed a decrease in arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation rates in association with an increase in AVF creation. In May 2012, we adopted a practice change in an attempt to maintain the same high level of AVF creation while leading to a decrease in fistula failures. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all dialysis access procedures performed by a single vascular surgeon before (period 1; before May 1, 2012) and after (period 2; after May 1, 2012) the change in practice pattern. The adopted change included favoring the brachiocephalic location unless the patient was an ideal anatomic candidate for a radiocephalic AVF, creating a larger and standardized arteriotomy, and using a large venous footplate whenever possible. The main outcome measure was primary functional patency at 1 year. Secondary outcome measures included primary patency at 1 year, time to maturation, type of fistula created, steal syndrome, and tunneled hemodialysis catheter infections. RESULTS: Of 213 vascular access procedures performed, 191 (90%) were AVFs. There was no difference in use of AVFs between period 1 (93% AVFs) and period 2 (88% AVFs; P = .2). Use of brachiocephalic AVFs increased from 38% in period 1 to 56% in period 2 (P = .01), with a corresponding trend toward a decrease in radiocephalic AVFs in period 2 (36% in period 1 to 27% in period 2; P = .2). Primary functional patency at 1 year was 47% in period 1 and 63% in period 2 (P = .03). Primary patency at 1 year was 51% in period 1 and 70% in period 2 (P = .001). Time to reach functional maturation was decreased in period 2 (median, 76 vs 82.5 days; P = .046). There was no difference in steal syndrome (P = 1.0), and the incidence of hemodialysis catheter infections was lower in period 2 (0 vs 7 [7%]; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing brachiocephalic AVF creation and reducing our reliance on radiocephalic AVFs resulted in a significant increase in primary functional patency at 1 year. This was achieved while maintaining the same high percentage of fistulas, a lower rate of central catheter infections, and the same low incidence of steal syndrome.

Association of Adiponectin With Body Composition and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: In the general population, circulating adiponectin is associated with a favorable cardiovascular risk profile (eg, lower triglycerides and body fat) and decreased mortality. Hemodialysis (HD) patients have comparatively higher adiponectin concentrations, but prior studies examining the adiponectin-mortality association in this population have not accounted for body composition or shown a consistent relationship. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS: We examined baseline serum adiponectin concentrations in 501 HD patients across 13 dialysis centers from the prospective MADRAD (Malnutrition, Diet, and Racial Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease) cohort (entry period, October 2011 to February 2013; follow-up through August 2013). PREDICTOR: Serum adiponectin concentration in tertiles (tertiles 1, 2, and 3 defined as ≤16.1, >16.1-<30.1, and ≥30.1-100.0 µg/mL, respectively). Adjustment variables included case-mix and laboratory test results (age, sex, race, ethnicity, vintage, diabetes, serum albumin, total iron-binding capacity, serum creatinine, white blood cell count, phosphate, hemoglobin, and normalized protein catabolic rate), body composition surrogates (subcutaneous, visceral, and total-body fat and lean body mass), and serum lipid levels (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides). OUTCOMES: All-cause mortality using survival (Cox) models incrementally adjusted for case-mix and laboratory test results. RESULTS: Among 501 HD patients, 50 deaths were observed during 631.1 person-years of follow-up. In case-mix- and laboratory-adjusted Cox analyses, the highest adiponectin tertile was associated with increased mortality versus the lowest tertile (HR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.50-7.47). These associations were robust in analyses that additionally accounted for body composition (HR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.61-8.24) and lipid levels (HR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.34-7.58). LIMITATIONS: Residual confounding cannot be excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Higher adiponectin level is associated with a 3-fold higher death risk in HD patients independent of body composition and lipid levels. Future studies are needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms and determine therapeutic targets associated with improved outcomes in HD patients.

Outcomes of cephalic arch stenosis with and without stent placement after percutaneous balloon angioplasty in hemodialysis patients.

Cephalic arch stenosis is a common complication in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with brachial artery-cephalic vein fistulas and frequently leads to loss of the functioning brachial artery-cephalic vein fistula. There is paucity of conclusive data to guide appropriate management. We examined the risk of recurrence of cephalic arch stenosis after angioplasty compared to angioplasty after stent placement determined by angiography of the involved upper extremity over time in a contemporary cohort of MHD patients treated in two interventional nephrology practices from March 2008 through May 2011. We retrospectively identified 45 MHD patients with evidence of cephalic arch stenosis (age 60 ± 30 years, 45% men) on elective angiograms. The median number of days until another angioplasty was required decreased, starting with a median of 91.5 days after the first, 70.5 days after the second, 85 days after the third, and 56 days after the fourth. Angioplasty is associated with a faster rate of recurrence of cephalic arch stenosis. The placement of intravascular stent seems to prolong the patency compared to angioplasty alone. Clinical trials with a larger sample size will better elucidate the value and timing of angioplasty versus stent placement in cephalic arch stenosis.

Association of vascular access type with inflammatory marker levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Aggressive NIH is a common histopathological lesion found at the sites of venous stenosis in arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous grafts (AVG). Inflammatory mediators have been proposed to play a pathogenic role in NIH, but there is paucity of data evaluating this hypothesis in clinical studies or in animal models. Serum levels of inflammatory mediators can potentially identify patients at high risk of AVF and AVG dysfunction. In a cross-sectional cohort study of 754 HD patients who were part of the NIED study cohort, we examined the associations between inflammatory markers including serum interleukin (IL) 1ß, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and type of vascular access. Unadjusted and multivariate-adjusted linear regression models were used. In addition, time-dependent regression model was used to assess the association between inflammatory markers and mortality. We observed that in the multivariate-adjusted model, inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1L-ß (IL-1ß), and C-reactive protein (CRP), the predicted value in hemodialysis patients, are lowest in patients with AVF and highest in central venous catheter (CVC) and AVG even in case-mix and malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome (MICS)-adjusted models. IL-6 and CRP levels fall consistently in the same patients when AVG or CVC is changed to AVF and increase if the same patient changes access from AVF to AVG or CVC. Obesity is a risk factor for fistula failure and fistulas are associated with the lowest mortality compared with CVC and AVG. We did not find any statistically significant association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) and vascular access outcomes. Higher levels of inflammatory mediators seen in CVC and AVG compared with AVF could potentially explain the higher mortality seen in patients with CVC and AVG compared with AVF.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Nutrition in Hypoalbuminemic Dialysis Patients (AIONID) study: results of the pilot-feasibility, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low serum albumin is common and associated with protein-energy wasting, inflammation, and poor outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. We hypothesized that in-center (in dialysis clinic) provision of high-protein oral nutrition supplements (ONS) tailored for MHD patients combined with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients with or without an anti-inflammatory appetite stimulator (pentoxifylline, PTX) is well tolerated and can improve serum albumin concentration. METHODS: Between January 2008 and June 2010, 84 adult hypoalbuminemic (albumin <4.0 g/dL) MHD outpatients were double-blindly randomized to receive 16 weeks of interventions including ONS, PTX, ONS with PTX, or placebos. Nutritional and inflammatory markers were compared between the four groups. RESULTS: Out of 84 subjects (mean ± SD; age, 59 ± 12 years; vintage, 34 ± 34 months), 32 % were Blacks, 54 % females, and 68 % diabetics. ONS, PTX, ONS plus PTX, and placebo were associated with an average change in serum albumin of +0.21 (P = 0.004), +0.14 (P = 0.008), +0.18 (P = 0.001), and +0.03 g/dL (P = 0.59), respectively. No related serious adverse events were observed. In a predetermined intention-to-treat regression analysis modeling post-trial serum albumin as a function of pre-trial albumin and the three different interventions (ref = placebo), only ONS without PTX was associated with a significant albumin rise (+0.17 ± 0.07 g/dL, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot-feasibility, 2 × 2 factorial, placebo-controlled trial, daily intake of a CKD-specific high-protein ONS with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative ingredients for up to 16 weeks was well tolerated and associated with slight but significant increase in serum albumin levels. Larger long-term controlled trials to examine hard outcomes are indicated.

Mortality predictability of body size and muscle mass surrogates in Asian vs white and African American hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the association of body size and muscle mass with survival among patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis (HD) is consistent across race, especially in East Asian vs white and African American patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using data from 20,818 patients from South Korea who underwent HD from February 1, 2001, to June 30, 2009, and 20,000 matched patients from the United States (10,000 whites and 10,000 African Americans) who underwent HD from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2006, we compared mortality associations of baseline body mass index (BMI) and serum creatinine level as likely surrogates of obesity and muscle mass across the 3 races. RESULTS: In Korean HD patients, higher BMI together with higher serum creatinine levels were associated with greater survival, as previously reported from US and European studies. In the matched cohort (10,000 patients from each of the 3 races), mortality risks were lower across higher BMI and serum creatinine levels, and these associations were similar in all 3 races (reference groups: patients with BMI >25.0 kg/m(2) or serum creatinine >12 mg/dL in each race). White, African American, and Korean patients with BMI levels of 18.5 kg/m(2) or less (underweight) had 78%, 79%, and 57% higher mortality risk, respectively, and white, African American, and Korean patients with serum creatinine levels of 6.0 mg/dL or less had 108%, 87%, and 78% higher mortality, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows that race does not modify the association of higher body size and muscle mass with greater survival in HD patients. Given the consistency of the obesity paradox, which may be related to a mitigated effect of protein-energy wasting on mortality irrespective of racial disparities, nutritional support to improve survival should be tested in HD patients of all races.

Biological grafts for hemodialysis access: historical lessons, state-of-the-art and future directions.

The vast majority of arteriovenous grafts (AVG) have been constructed using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). While ePTFE grafts have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture, distribute, ship, and store, their primary patency rates are disappointing when compared with the native AVF. Though use of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) in the United States has increased substantially, approximately 25% of hemodialysis patients continue to use AVG as their vascular access. We present here a comprehensive review of biological grafts and their use in hemodialysis vascular access. In this review, we discuss the use of synthetics and then explore the evolution of biological grafts over the past 20 years, their clinical impact, and future challenges in widespread clinical use in hemodialysis patients. Provided are in depth descriptions of currently used nonbiological arteriovenous grafts and the recent approaches in increasing the patency of synthetic grafts. Recent technological advances using tissue-engineered AVGs have shown promise for patients receiving hemodialysis and their potential to provide an attractive, viable option for vascular access have been discussed.

Charlson comorbidity score is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is a commonly used scale for assessing morbidity, but its role in assessing mortality in hemodialysis patients is not clear. Age, a component of CCI, is a strong risk factor for morbidity and mortality in chronic diseases and correlates with comorbidities. We hypothesized that the Charlson comorbidity index without age is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A 6-year cohort of 893 hemodialysis patients was examined for an association between a modified CCI (without age and kidney disease) (mCCI) and mortality. RESULTS: Patients were 53±15 years old (mean±SD), had a median mCCI score of 2, and included 47% women, 31% African Americans and 55% diabetics. After adjusting for case-mix and nutritional and inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, 2nd (mCCI: 1-2), 3rd (mCCI=3), and 4th (mCCI: 4-9) quartiles compared to 1st (mCCI=0) quartiles showed death hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.43 (0.92-2.23), 1.70 (1.06-2.72), and 2.33 (1.43-3.78), respectively. The mCCI-death association was robust in non-African Americans. The CCI-death association linearity was verified in cubic splines. Each 1 unit higher mCCI score was associated with a death hazard ratio of 1.16 (1.07-1.27). CONCLUSIONS: CCI independent of age is a robust and linear predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients, in particular in non-African Americans.

Pre-operative regional block anesthesia enhances operative strategy for arteriovenous fistula creation.

PURPOSE: We aim to assess the effect of regional block anesthesia on vein diameter, type of AVF placement, and fistula size and flow volume. METHODS: 30 patients presenting for AV access procedures were followed prospectively. Vein diameters via venous ultrasound and planned location for AV access were documented. Supraclavicular brachial plexus block was followed by repeat ultrasound and alterations in operative plan were noted. Patients returned to clinic for duplex ultrasound assessment. RESULTS: Average increase from baseline vein diameter with regional block was most pronounced in the lower cephalic (34%), upper cephalic (24.2%), and basilic veins (31.3%) and less in the brachial vein (8.7%). Type of AVF was modified following regional block in 14%. The rate of native AVF placement improved from 89% to 93% with regional block. Twenty-three AVF patients were available for follow-up (mean 24 weeks). Average fistula size was 7.9 mm (CI 6.9-8.9) and all patent fistulas developed flow volume >600 mL/min. Primary patency was attained in 83%. One thrombosis occurred after a basilic artery was lacerated during dialysis access. The average fistula increased 0.33 cm from post-block diameter (SD 0.22, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vein diameter increases significantly in the basilic and cephalic veins following regional block anesthesia and may improve the rate of native fistula placement. Propensity to dilate after regional block anesthesia does not predict size of the fistula.

Dialysis vascular access management by interventional nephrology programs at University Medical Centers in the United States.

The development of interventional nephrology has undoubtedly led to an improvement in patient care at many facilities across the United States. However, these services have traditionally been offered by interventional nephrologists in the private practice arena. While interventional nephrology was born in the private practice setting, several academic medical centers across the United States have now developed interventional nephrology programs. University Medical Centers (UMCs) that offer interventional nephrology face challenges, such as smaller dialysis populations, limited financial resources, and real or perceived political "turf" issues." Despite these hurdles, several UMCs have successfully established interventional nephrology as an intricate part of a larger nephrology program. This has largely been accomplished by consolidating available resources and collaborating with other specialties irrespective of the size of the dialysis population. The collaboration with other specialties also offers an opportunity to perform advanced procedures, such as application of excimer laser and endovascular ultrasound. As more UMCs establish interventional nephrology programs, opportunities for developing standardized training centers will improve, resulting in better quality and availability of nephrology-related procedures, and providing an impetus for research activities.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acid, ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 intake, inflammation, and survival in long-term hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in long-term hemodialysis patients is high, mostly attributed to cardiovascular events, and may be related to chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory benefits of higher dietary intake of omega-3 compared with omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may modulate the inflammatory processes and decrease death risk. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using linear and Cox proportional regressions. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 145 hemodialysis patients from 8 DaVita dialysis clinics in Southern California in 2001-2007. PREDICTORS: Intake of dietary omega-3 and ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 using 3-day food record supplemented by dietary interview. OUTCOMES: 1-year change in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and 6-year survival. RESULTS: Patients were aged 53 ± 14 years (mean ± SD) and included 43% women and 42% African Americans. Median dietary omega-3 intake, ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 intake, baseline serum CRP level, and change in CRP level over 1 year were 1.1 (25th-75th percentile, 0.8-1.6) g/d, 9.3 (25th-75th percentile, 7.6-11.3), 3.1 (25th-75th percentile, 0.8-6.8) mg/L, and +0.2 (25th-75th percentile, -0.4 to +0.8) mg/L, respectively. In regression models adjusted for case-mix, dietary calorie and fat intake, body mass index, and history of hypertension, each 1-unit higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 intake was associated with a 0.55-mg/L increase in serum CRP level (P = 0.03). In the fully adjusted model, death HRs for the first (1.7-<7.6), second (7.6-<9.3), third (9.3-<11.3), and fourth (11.3-17.4) quartiles of dietary omega-6 to omega-3 ratio were 0.39 (95% CI, 0.14-1.18), 0.30 (95% CI, 0.09-0.99), 0.67 (95% CI, 0.25-1.79), and 1.00 (reference), respectively (P for trend = 0.06). LIMITATIONS: 3-day food record may underestimate actual dietary fat intake at an individual level. CONCLUSIONS: Higher dietary omega-6 to omega-3 ratio appears to be associated with both worsening inflammation over time and a trend toward higher death risk in hemodialysis patients. Additional studies including interventional trials are needed to examine the association of dietary fatty acids with clinical outcomes in these patients.

A comparison between one- and two-stage brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: Brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulas (BBAVF) can be performed in one or two stages. We compared primary failure rates, as well as primary and secondary patency rates of one- and two-stage BBAVF at two institutions. METHODS: Patients undergoing one- and two-stage BBAVF at two institutions were compared retrospectively with respect to age, sex, body mass index, use of preoperative venous duplex ultrasound, diabetes, hypertension, and cause of end-stage renal disease. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square and Fisher's exact test, whereas the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare continuous variables. Patency rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model with propensity analysis to determine hazard ratios. RESULTS: Ninety patients (60 one-stage and 30 two-stage) were identified. Mean follow-up was 14.2 months and the mean time interval between the first and second stage was 11.2 weeks. Although no significant difference in early failure existed (one-stage, 22.9% vs two-stage, 9.1%; P = .20), the two-stage BBAVF showed significantly improved primary functional patency at 1 year at 88% vs 61% (P = .047) (hazard ratio, 0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], .04-.80; P = .03). Patency for one-stage BBAVF markedly decreased to 34% at 2 years compared with 88% for the two-stage procedure (P = .047). Median primary functional patency for one-stage BBAVF was 31 weeks (interquartile range [IQR], 11-54) vs 79 weeks (IQR, 29-131 weeks) for the two-stage procedure, respectively (P = .0015). Two-year secondary functional patency for one- and two-stage procedures were 41% and 94%, respectively (P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Primary and secondary patency at 1 and 2 years as well as functional patency is improved with the two-stage BBAVF when compared with the one-stage procedure. Lower primary failure rates prior to dialysis with the two-stage procedure approached, but did not reach statistical significance. While reasons for these finding are unclear, certain technical aspects of the procedure may play a role.

Outcomes of brachial artery-basilic vein fistula.

Increasing the creation of arteriovenous fistulas in the maintenance of hemodialysis patients is of great importance to the nephrology community. The creation of the brachial artery-basilic vein fistula is an important option in patients with unsuccessful or failing forearm accesses for hemodialysis. The aim of this study is to review reported outcomes of brachial artery-basilic vein fistulas regarding patency and primary failure rates in comparison with other types of fistulas and grafts in the published literature. We have also described the variations in the surgical technique during creation and the potential influence on outcomes. Based on our review of the literature, the rate of primary failure is approximately 15-20% with a range of 0-40%. The mean 1-year primary patency rate is approximately 72% with a range of 23-90%, and the 2-year primary patency rate is approximately 62% with a range from 11% to 86%. The number of required interventions to maintain patency is lower with brachial artery-basilic vein fistula compared to arteriovenous grafts.

Racial and ethnic differences in mortality of hemodialysis patients: role of dietary and nutritional status and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic disparities prevail among hemodialysis patients. We hypothesized that significant differences exist between Black and non-Hispanic and Hispanic White hemodialysis patients in nutritional status, dietary intake and inflammation, and that they account for racial survival disparities. METHODS: In a 6-year (2001-2007) cohort of 799 hemodialysis patients, we compared diet and surrogates of nutritional-inflammatory status and their mortality-predictabilities between 279 Blacks and 520 Whites using matched and regression analyses and Cox with cubic splines. RESULTS: In age-, gender- and diabetes-matched analyses, Blacks had higher lean body mass and serum prealbumin, creatinine and homocysteine levels than Whites. In case-mix-adjusted analyses, dietary intakes in Blacks versus Whites were higher in energy (+293 ± 119 cal/day) and fat (+18 ± 5 g/day), but lower in fiber (-2.9 ± 1.3 g/day) than Whites. In both races, higher serum albumin, prealbumin and creatinine were associated with greater survival, whereas CRP and IL-6, but not TNF-α, were associated with increased mortality. The highest (vs. lowest) quartile of IL-6 was associated with a 2.4-fold (95% CI: 1.3-3.8) and 4.1-fold (2.2-7.2) higher death risk in Blacks and Whites, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Significant racial disparities exist in dietary, nutritional and inflammatory measures, which may contribute to hemodialysis outcome disparities. Testing race-specific dietary and/or anti-inflammatory interventions is indicated.

Insights into nutritional and inflammatory aspects of low parathyroid hormone in dialysis patients.

In individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease, secondary hyperparathyroidism is known to be associated with high turnover bone disease. Low serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels may not necessarily be because of hypodynamic bone, but could be another facet of the malnutrition-inflammation-cachexia syndrome (MICS). A recent 5-year cohort study in 748 stable hemodialysis outpatients showed that after the confounding effect by the MICS was removed, the moderately low levels of PTH in the 100 to 150 pg/mL range was associated with the greatest survival rate. Data from Japanese dialysis patients show similar survival advantages of having a lower PTH range. Low levels of serum PTH seem to be associated with markers of protein-energy wasting and inflammation, and this association may confound the relationship between serum PTH and alkaline phosphatase. PTH stimulates lipogenesis through influx of calcium into the adipocytes. PTH secretion is suppressed by interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6, which are proinflammatory cytokines that are associated with poor outcome in dialysis patients. These cytokines inhibits PTH secretion in cultured parathyroid tissue slices. In this article, we review the association of a low serum PTH level with the MICS in patients with chronic kidney disease and suggest avoiding over-interpretation of low serum PTH level as an indicator of low turnover bone disease.