USG assisted and USG guided percutaneous renal biopsy at Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital: a three and half years study.

A prospective study was carried out from 2009 to 2013 in the Department of Radiology and Imaging of Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Attarkhel, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal, in which a total of 75 patients underwent percutaneous renal biopsy with a 16 or 18 gauge needles. This was done blindly by marking a site on the skin, or, whenever there was difficulty with the blind procedure, by direct real time USG guidance. In all cases, the marking in the skin was done by the radiologist and the biopsy was performed by the Nephrologist, with the aid of the radiologist in cases of real-time USG guided renal biopsy. This study was carried out to assess the safety and efficacy of the USG aided, and USG guided renal biopsy, to see for the types and severity of complications arising from renal biopsies to determine the optimal period of observation required after the procedure. All renal biopsies were performed after the patients were admitted to the hospital at least 1 day prior to the procedure. Coagulation profile was done in all patients prior to the procedure. All patients were kept under strict complete bed rest for 24 hours post procedure. The ages of the patients ranged between 14 years to 71 years, with 42 female and 33 male patients. A mean of 21.8 glomeruli was obtained in each specimen, with absent glomerular yield seen in only 3 patients. Minimal change disease was seen in 19 patients, being the most common histopathological diagnosis followed by a spectrum of others. The overall complication rate was 4% and all of these were self-limiting needing no other intervention, or management except for observation and bed rest. Late complications were not seen. Percutaneous renal biopsy with the help of USG is a safe and efficacious procedure with less chance of minor complications.

Tuberculosis in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis: one year follow up study from Nepal.

In Nepal where tuberculosis is endemic and data regarding the prevalence of tuberculosis in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis is not known we tried to see the cumulative incidence of tuberculosis in these higher risk groups' patients. Forty patients were followed up for one year after initial screening for tuberculosis. Among forty patients 34 (85%) were male and 6 (15%) were female. During initial screening four patients had sputum positive tuberculosis and three more patients had sputum positive tuberculosis during follow up. Among nine patients with pleural effusion two patients had pulmonary tuberculosis. One patient had tubercular cervical lymphadenitis. Two patients died during follow up and the rest improved with anti tubercular treatment. So in the part of the world where tuberculosis is endemic patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis should be screened for tuberculosis regularly.

Clinical profile of patients with cirrhosis of liver in a tertiary care hospital, Dharan, Nepal.

One hundred and five (72 males; 33 females) consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria were studied. The mean age of the patients was 49.06 +/- 11.27 years (range 23-73 years). Ninety patients were adult cirrhotics (age > or = 35 yrs) and the remaining 15 patients were young (age < or = 35 yrs). Ninety out of 105 patients were having alcohol related cirrhosis. The commonest presenting symptoms were abdomen distension (100% in young cirrhotics vs. 84.4% in adult cirrhotics) and jaundice (93.3% in young cirrhotics vs. 84.4% in adult cirrhotics). The most common presenting signs were ascites (100% in young cirrhotics vs. 84.4% in adult cirrhotics) and icterus (93.3% in young cirrhotics vs. 84.4% in adult cirrhotics), followed by loss of body hair (73.3% vs. 71.1% in young and adult cirrhotics respectively) and spider naevi (46.7% vs. 61.1% in young and adult cirrhotics respectively). Sixty percent of young cirrhotics and 52% of adult cirrhotics were in Child's grade C at the time of presentation. Most of the deaths were seen in Child's grade C of liver disease. Alcoholic cirrhosis is common in the eastern part of Nepal. Cirrhosis is not uncommon in younger age group. Abdomen distension and jaundice were most common clinical presentations. Most patients were in Child's grade C and most deaths were due to hepatic failure.

Malarial nephropathy in a tertiary care setup--an observational study.

Malaria is endemic in Nepal. Its poor outcome is associated with acute renal failure (ARF), hepatopathy and cerebral malaria. The clinical profiles, biochemical parameters and outcome of 25 patients of falciparum malaria diagnosed either by optimal test, peripheral blood smear (PBS) or Quantitative buffy coat (QBC) admitted in BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences were studied. Majority of patients (84%) was from the age group 15-45 years. Mean age was 33 +/- 16 years. There were 16 males and 9 females. All had history of fever. Twenty patients were optimal positive, 9 positive in PBS and 12 were QBC positive for Plasmodium falciparum. Mean duration of fever was 13 +/- 9 days. Patients with renal or hepatic involvement presented earlier. Renal dysfunction (S. creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl) was present in 60%. Ten patients had ARF (S. creatinine > 3 mg/dl); five out of them were oliguric/anuric. S. creatinine in patients without renal dysfunction, with renal dysfunction but without renal replacement therapy (RRT) and who underwent RRT were 1.1 +/- 0.24, 3.98 +/- 1.9 and 4.53 +/- 1.72 mg/dL respectively. Serum creatinine of patients with and without hepatic dysfunction respectively were 3.26 +/- 1.98 and 1.26 +/- 0.48 mg/dL (p = 0.001 (CI 0.9-3.10)). Total bilirubin of > 2.5 mg/dl was present in 77%. Total bilirubin of patients with renal dysfunction who underwent and who did not undergo RRT were 10.3 vs. 3.76 mg/dL (p = 0.024 (CI 1.07-12.0)). Fourteen patients had cerebral malaria. Eight patients underwent RRT (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis). Six patients died. Five died within 48 hrs of presentation. Patients who had renal and/or hepatic dysfunction had increased morbidity and mortality.

Evaluation of dialysis adequacy in patients under hemodialysis and effectiveness of dialysers reuses.

Reuse of dialysers is being practiced since the start of hemodialysis (HD) service in Nepal, which is cost effective as well as safe. A retrospective study was done in Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital. We reviewed case records of the year 2008 and retrieved required data such as pre and post urea, post dialysis weight and ultrafiltration volume from 186 sessions of dialysis of 60 patients. Dialysis sessions were divided into nine groups according to the number of use of dialyser. Out of 60 patients, 40 were male. Mean age of the study population was 45.82 +/- 15.42 yrs (range 18-78). Dialysers were reprocessed manually up to 9 times. Adequacy of dialysis was assessed using single pool Kt/v (spKt/v) and urea reduction rate (URR). Mean pre urea, post urea and spKt/v were 160 +/- 51.2 mg/dL, 71.8 +/- 28.5 mg/dL and 0.95 +/- 0.28 respectively. Mean URR was 54.82 +/- 11.24%. Out of total 186 sessions, spKt/v was > or = 1.2 in only 31 sessions (17.0%). There was no significant difference in mean spKt/v between the groups (p=0.87). When compared between the individual groups e.g. 1st vs. 7th, 1st vs. 8th and 1st vs. 9th, there was no significant difference in spKt/v. Dialysis is inadequate in most of our patients undergoing HD twice a week. Reuse of dialyser is effective in urea clearance and the practice of reuse is cost effective and safe.

Vascular access for hemodialysis in Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital.

Good vascular access is an essential component for hemodialysis (HD). Studies in patterns of vascular accesses used for HD are very few. Eighty two (male 55, female 27) patients attending HD unit of Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) over a period of one year were enrolled for the study. Average age was 46.12 years. Seventy four patients (90.0%) were suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) 5 and 8 (10.0%) patients had acute renal failure. Initial vascular access used was temporary vascular access in 76 (93.0%) and arteriovenous (AV) fistula in 6 (7.0%) patients. As a first temporary vascular access femoral catheterization was used in 54 (66.0%) patients followed by subclavian and internal jugular vein catheterization in 18 (22.0%) and 4 (5.0%) respectively. Fever was observed in 9 (11.0%) patients with first temporary access. There was no complication in 65 (79.0%) cases. Other complications were poor flow, malposition, infection, thrombosis, aneurysm and self removal of catheter. Only 47 patients were analyzed for the second vascular access. Trends towards use of second vascular access was subclavian and internal jugular vein cannulation in 20 (42.5%) and 10 (21.3%) respectively, AV fistula in 13 (27.7%), and femoral catheterization in 4 (8.5%). Second vascular access was associated with fever in 7 (14.9%) and limb swelling in 1 (2.1%). Temporary vascular access was the most common access to initiate HD in CKD 5. Only 7.0% of the patient had AV fistula to start HD. Femoral vein catheterization was the most commonly used first temporary vascular access. Complications with the vascular accesses were negligible.

In-center hemodialysis for end stage kidney disease at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital.

End stage kidney disease (ESKD) is defined by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 5 ml/min. These patients need renal replacement therapy (RRT). Hemodialysis is an established form of RRT. Studies on incenter hemodialysis are very few. Here we would like to present our experience on in-center hemodialysis in Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Study period was one year (1st Baisakh 2065 to 31st Chaitra 2065). Total 33 patients (23 male, 10 female) were enrolled in the study. Average age was 42.33 +/- 15 years. Hypertension (55.0%), diabetes mellitus (24.0%), chronic glomerulonephritis (15.0%), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (3.0%) and others (3.0%) were the causes of ESKD requiring dialysis. Hypotension, hypertension, muscle cramps, chest pain were the common complications observed during dialysis. Average haemoglobin level was 9.44 +/- 1.88 g%. Majority of patients were physically inactive. Blood transfusion was the main modality for correction of anaemia. Approximate cost for one session of hemodialysis was Rs. 2000 (U.S. $.25) and average monthly income of study population was Rs.16312.5 (U.S. $.204) U.S. $1 = NRs.80, (4th May 2009).

Acute renal failure in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital.

Total 45 patients (male 27 and female 18) of acute renal failure (ARF) admitted in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital over a period of 12 months (1st of Baisakh 2064 BS to 31st of Chaitra 2064 BS) were enrolled in the study. Sixty four percent of study population were of age group 21-60 years. Acute Gastroenteritis 33, sepsis 5, hemorrhage 2, others 5 were the different causes of ARF. Serum creatinine of the study population before and after treatment was 4.35 +/- 2.72 and 1.38 +/- 0.72 mg/dl respectively. Similarly serum urea before and after treatment was 101.78 +/- 57.56 and 42.60 +/- 30.46 mg/dl respectively. Thirty three patients were managed by non dialytic modality of therapy and 12 patients needed hemodialysis. Blood urea of those patients who underwent nondialytic therapy was significantly less than of those who underwent hemodialysis (80.65 +/- 38.21 vs. 151.08 +/- 66.22; p = 0.004). Serum creatinine was also significantly lower in nondialytic therapy group (3.15 +/- 1.15 vs. 7.64 +/- 3.10; p = 0.000) ARF patients with very high urea, creatinine and disturbed electrolytes required dialysis. Average session of hemodialysis was 3.4. Thirty five patients were cured, 6 left against medical advice, 3 were discharged on request, and one patient of sepsis expired during the course of treatment. Acute gastroenteritis was the leading cause of ARF and outcome was excellent even without dialysis in most of the cases provided the treatment was started early and appropriately.

Chronic kidney disease 5 on hemodialysis in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 5 is defined when glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is <15.0 ml/min/1.73m2. Though nephrology service was started in Nepal as early as in 1970, we do not have data regarding CKD 5 patients till date. So this study is being undertaken to know the epidemiological profile and etiology of CKD 5 patients attending hemodialysis (HD) unit of Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital. This is a prospective study which was carried out in HD unit over a period of one year. CKD 5 patients having GFR of <15 ml/min/1.73m2 under HD were included in the study. Among 100 patients included in the study 57 were male and mean age of the study population was 46.9+/-17.9 years. Most common cause of CKD 5 in the study was hypertension (54.0%); other causes included diabetic nephropathy (18.0%), idiopathic (13.0%) and glomerulonephritis (6.0%). Fifty percent of patients were from outside Kathmandu Valley. Around 20.0% of the study population is on regular follow up while 45.0% were lost to follow up. Twenty percent of the patient underwent transplantation and 15.0% of the study population died. Majority of patients were anemic (85.0%). Correction of anemia was done with blood transfusion in 88.0% and only 12.0% received erythropoietin. Hypertension was the leading cause of CKD 5; majority of patients (45.0%) discontinued hemodialysis most probably due to economical constrain; blood transfusion was the main modality of treatment of anemia.

Effect of preload reduction by haemodialysis on doppler indices of diastolic function in patients with end-stage renal disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of preload reduction by haemodialysis on Doppler echocardiographic indices of cardiac diastolic function. METHODOLOGY: Parameters of left ventricular diastolic function were measured in patients with end-stage renal disease before and after a single session of haemodialysis. Patients with valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, pericardial disease and those not in sinus rhythm were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Seventeen subjects (12 males and 5 females, mean age 48 +/- 16 years) were studied. Over the duration of 3.7 +/- 0.6 hours of haemodialysis, 2.6 +/- 1.3 litres of ultrafiltrate was removed. The comparison of pre and post haemodialysis peak mitral E and A velocities showed a decrease in E velocity (p < 0.01) whereas the change in A velocity was not significant. The E/A ratio decreased significantly (p < 0.05).The decrease in E velocity correlated well with the amount of ultrafiltrate (r = 0.653, p < 0.01). There was a significant increase in isovolumetric relaxation time (p< 0.05) whereas deceleration time did not change (p =0.3). CONCLUSION: Ultrafiltration during haemodialysis causes a rapid reduction in preload. It results in decreased early left ventricular diastolic filling without a change in the atrial phase of filling, hence causing a decrease in calculated E/A ratio.

Nutritional assessment of patients under hemodialysis in nepal medical college teaching hospital.

Malnutrition is very common in hemodialysis patients and is predisposed by many factors. Malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Total of 26 patients (16 males and 10 females) who were under hemodialysis in our center were included in the study. With the help of Malnutrition Score (MS) developed by Kalanter-Zadeh, nutritional status of the patients was assessed. Patients also underwent different anthropometric measurements such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Triceps skin fold thickness (TSF), Mid Arm Circumlference (MAC) and Mid Arm Muscle Circumference (MAMC) and laboratory investigations. Mean age of the study population was 42.58 +/- 16.32 years (range 19 to 74 years). Females were older than males. MS of the study population was 15.82 +/- 3.76 (range 9-24). Female patients were having higher MS than males (16.5 +/- 4.11 vs. 15.06 +/- 3.55). Based on MS, 22 patients (84.6%) had mild to moderate malnutrition, 2 (7.7%) patients were having severe malnutrition and remaining 2 (7.7%) had normal nutrition score. Females were having lower BMI, MAC and MAMC but higher value of TSF. Significant negative correlation was present between MS and weight, BMI, MAC and MAMC. Calculated Urea Reduction Ratio (URR) of study population was 57.27 +/- 10.89. URR was higher in females than in males (61.77 +/- 12.74 vs. 54.45 +/- 8.85). Only 23.0% of the study population had URR of >65.0%. Protein Catabolic Rate (nPCR) in our study was 0.77 +/- 0.28 g/kg/day. Malnutrition is very common in our center which is >90% when MS was considered. In our study it negatively correlated with weight, BMI, MAC and MAMC. Dialysis inadequacy was present in around 75.0% of our study population.