Effects of incremental peritoneal dialysis with low glucose-degradation product neutral pH solution on clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Incremental peritoneal dialysis (IPD) could decrease unfavorable glucose exposure results and preserve (RKF). However, there is no standardization of dialysis prescriptions for patients undergoing IPD. We designed a prospective observational multi-center study with a standardized IPD prescription to evaluate the effect of IPD on RKF, metabolic alterations, blood pressure control, and adverse outcomes. METHODS: All patients used low GDP product (GDP) neutral pH solutions in both the incremental continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (ICAPD) group and the retrospective standard PD (sPD) group. IPD patients started treatment with three daily exchanges five days a week. Control-group patients performed four changes per day, seven days a week. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (47 IPD and 47 sPD) were included in this study. The small-solute clearance and mean blood pressures were similar between both groups during follow-up. The weekly mean glucose exposure was significantly higher in sPD group than IPD during the follow-up (p < 0.001). The patients with sPD required more phosphate-binding medications compared to the IPD group (p = 0.05). The rates of peritonitis, tunnel infection, and hospitalization frequencies were similar between groups. Patients in the sPD group experienced more episodes of hypervolemia compared to the IPD group (p = 0.007). The slope in RKF in the 6th month was significantly higher in the sPD group compared to the IPD group (65% vs. 95%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: IPD could be a rational dialysis method and provide non-inferior dialysis adequacy compared to full-dose PD. This regimen may contribute to preserving RKF for a longer period.

In Vitro Closure Times (PFA-100) Are Different Between Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Platelet dysfunction is not uncommon in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Type of renal replacement therapy may have an effect on platelet functions, which has not been well investigated. We evaluated in vitro closure time (CT) differences between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients using platelet function analyzer (PFA-100)and observed a significant difference between these renal replacement therapies. METHODS: Patients with ESRD undergoing PD (n = 24) or HD (n = 23) for more than 6 months were included. Blood samples for collagen/epinephrine (Col/EPI) and collagen/adenosine diphosphate (Col/ADP) measurements were obtained before HD at a mid-week session for HD patients and at an outpatient control time for PD patients. RESULTS: Three of 24 (12.5%) PD patients and 16 of 23 (69.5%) HD patients had prolonged PFA-100 Col/EPI, p< 0.001. Likewise, 4.2% of PD patients and 87.0% of HD patients had prolonged PFA-100 Col/ADP, p< 0.001. Moreover, the median times of PFA-Col/EPI and PFA-100 Col/ADP were significantly lower in PD patients compared with those of HD patients (p< 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the type of renal replacement was a risk factor for both elevated PFA-100 Col/ADP and PFA-100 Col/EPI after adjusted for platelets, hematocrit, and urea (p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The type of renal replacement therapy may have an effect on in vitro CTs; therefore, studies including more patients with long-term follow-up are needed to investigate if the difference has any impact on clinical outcomes.

A histopathological scoring and grading system to predict outcome for patients with AA amyloidosis.

PURPOSE: Renal involvement is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in AA amyloidosis. Extend of amyloid deposition in kidney biopsies may be predictive for clinical manifestations and outcomes. The aim of our study is to assess clinical features of patients with biopsy-proven renal AA amyloidosis and to evaluate the relationship between histopathological scoring and grading of renal amyloid deposition with clinical findings and outcomes. METHODS: The study included 86 patients who were diagnosed with renal AA amyloidosis. The demographic and clinical features at the time of biopsy and follow-up data were retrospectively collected. Amyloid deposition in glomeruli, interstitium, vessels and tubulointerstitial findings were scored and renal amyloid prognostic score (RAPS) was assigned by adding all scores. RAPS was further divided into three grades (RAPS grade I, II, III). RESULTS: Median age was 50 (36-59) years. Familial Mediterranean fever was the leading cause. RAPS grade and interstitial inflammatory infiltration were associated with baseline eGFR and glomerular amyloid deposition was associated with proteinuria. During the follow-up period (median 50 months), 39 patients developed ESRD. Extensive (involving > 50%) glomerular amyloid deposition, baseline eGFR and proteinuria were independent risk factors for progression to end stage renal disease. Death censored renal survival was significantly lower among patients with RAPS grade III compared to those with RAPS grade I and II. Patient survival rate was not different according to RAPS grade. CONCLUSIONS: Degree of renal amyloid accumulation is associated with renal function and outcome. The scoring and grading system may be predictive in clinical outcome and contribute to understanding of disease mechanism.

Paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir treatment in renal transplant patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Social Security System of our country reimburses only paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir (PrOD) regime in treatment-naive patients with hepatitis C regardless of kidney disease. Most of our renal transplant (RT) recipients were treated with PrOD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of PrOD in RT patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a single center real-life experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RT recipients with a post-transplant follow-up of at least 1 year were included in the study. The patients were treated and monitored according to the guidelines. Blood levels of immunosuppressive patients were closely followed up and adjusted. RESULTS: A total of 21 (12 male and nine female) patients were assessed. The age of the patients was 50.8±8.5 years. Ten patients were infected with G1a, 10 patients with G1b, and one patient with G4 HCV. Two patients had compensated cirrhosis. Eighteen patients were treatment-naive, and three were peginterferon+ribavirin-experienced. Sustained virologic response (SVR12) was achieved in all patients. None of the patients discontinued the treatment. Cyclosporine (Csa) and tacrolimus (Tac) doses were reduced to once a day to once a week to maintain the blood level within normal range. The most common adverse effect was anemia in patients receiving ribavirin. Renal functions did not change during the treatment period. CONCLUSION: In this real-life experience, all of the 21 PrOD-treated RT recipients reached SVR12. Tac or Csa serum levels were maintained within the normal range with close monitoring. PrOD regime can be successfully and safely used in RT recipients with HCV infection with close follow-up.

Interplay of volume, blood pressure, organ ischemia, residual renal function, and diet: certainties and uncertainties with dialytic management.

Extracellular fluid volume overload and its inevitable consequence, hypertension, increases cardiovascular mortality in the long term by leading to left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease in dialysis patients. Unlike antihypertensive medications, a strict volume control strategy provides optimal blood pressure control without need for antihypertensive drugs. However, utilization of this strategy has remained limited because of several factors, including the absence of a gold standard method to assess volume status, difficulties in reducing extracellular fluid volume, and safety concerns associated with reduction of extracellular volume. These include intradialytic hypotension; ischemia of heart, brain, and gut; loss of residual renal function; and vascular access thrombosis. Comprehensibly, physicians are hesitant to follow strict volume control policy because of these safety concerns. Current data, however, suggest that a high ultrafiltration rate rather than the reduction in excess volume is related to these complications. Restriction of dietary salt intake, increased frequency, and/or duration of hemodialysis sessions or addition of temporary extra sessions during the process of gradually reducing postdialysis body weight in conventional hemodialysis and discontinuation of antihypertensive medications may prevent these complications. We believe that even if an unwanted effect occurs while gradually reaching euvolemia, this is likely to be counterbalanced by favorable cardiovascular outcomes such as regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, prevention of heart failure, and, ultimately, cardiovascular mortality as a result of the eventual achievement of normal extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure over the long term.

Controversies and problems of volume control and hypertension in haemodialysis.

Extracellular volume overload and hypertension are important contributors to the high risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Hypertension is present in more than 90% of patients at the initiation of haemodialysis and persists in more than two-thirds, despite use of several antihypertensive medications. High blood pressure is a risk factor for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and mortality, although there are controversies with some study findings showing poor survival with low-but not high-blood pressure. The most frequent cause of hypertension in patients undergoing haemodialysis is volume overload, which is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes itself independent of blood pressure. Although antihypertensive medications might not be successful to control blood pressure, extracellular volume reduction by persistent ultrafiltration and dietary salt restriction can produce favourable results with good blood pressure control. More frequent or longer haemodialysis can facilitate volume and blood pressure control. However, successful volume and blood pressure control is also possible in patients undergoing conventional haemodialysis.

FGF-23 levels are associated with vascular calcification, but not with atherosclerosis, in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: High fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between plasma FGF-23 levels and coronary artery calcification and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, plasma intact FGF-23 levels were measured in 229 patients who underwent coronary artery calcification scores (CACs) determined by multi-slice computerized tomography and CA-IMT assessed by using high-resolution color Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Median FGF-23 was 53.5 pg/ml (IQR 30.8-249.5). Median CACs was 98 (IQR 0-531), and the frequency of patients with severe calcification (CACs > 400) was 28.8%; 27.5% of cases had no calcification. Mean CA-IMT was 0.78 ± 0.20 mm, and the presence of carotid plaques was 51% with a mean length 2.1 mm. FGF-23 level was positively correlated with serum calcium (r = 0.337, p < 0.001), phosphate (r = 0.397, p < 0.001) and CACs (r = 0.218, p = 0.001). Neither CA-IMT nor the presence of carotid artery plaques correlated with FGF-23 levels. In adjusted ordinal regression analysis, FGF-23 level was an independent predictor for severe CACs together with age, gender, presence of diabetes, time on dialysis and CA-IMT (model r(2) = 0.44, p < 0.001). As a novel finding, the mean CACs was markedly higher in patients with FGF-23 level above median regardless of phosphate levels (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In HD patients, plasma FGF-23 level is superior to phosphate in the prediction of coronary artery calcification. However, FGF-23 is not associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in HD patients.

Recurrent lupus nephritis after transplantation: Clinicopathological evaluation with protocol biopsies.

AIM: Lupus nephritis (LN) is an important complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim is to use indication and protocol biopsies to determine clinicopathological findings and outcomes of patients with LN undergoing kidney transplantation (KTx). METHODS: Patients who underwent KTx due to LN were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrent LN (RLN) was diagnosed by transplant kidney biopsy. RESULTS: Among 955 KTx patients, 12 patients with LN as the cause of end-stage renal disease were enrolled. Five patients were male. Mean follow-up time was 63 ± 34 months. At the last follow-up visit, mean levels of serum creatinine and proteinuria were 137.0 ± 69.0 µmol/L and 0.26 ± 0.26 g/day, respectively. Eighteen indication and 22 protocol biopsies were performed; 27 biopsies were additionally evaluated by immunofluorescence. In two recipients, subclinical RLN was confirmed by protocol biopsies. Clinical recurrence occurred in four patients. Among patients with RLN, time from diagnosis of LN to KTx was significantly shorter and use of ATG as induction treatment was significantly lower. Graft loss occurred in two recipients who had clinical RLN. Five-year overall graft survival was 85.7%. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation is a reasonable option for patients with ESRD secondary to SLE. However, recurrence of LN is common if protocol biopsies are included in post-transplantation surveillance.

Reduction of Dialysate Calcium Level Reduces Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification and Improves Low Bone Turnover in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Exposure to high Ca concentrations may influence the development of low-turnover bone disease and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients on hemodialysis (HD). In this randomized, controlled study, we investigated the effects of lowering dialysate Ca level on progression of CAC and histologic bone abnormalities in patients on HD. Patients on HD with intact parathyroid hormone levels ≤300 pg/ml receiving dialysate containing 1.75 or 1.50 mmol/L Ca (n=425) were randomized to the 1.25-mmol/L Ca (1.25 Ca; n=212) or the 1.75-mmol/L Ca (1.75 Ca; n=213) dialysate arm. Primary outcome was a change in CAC score measured by multislice computerized tomography; main secondary outcome was a change in bone histomorphometric parameters determined by analysis of bone biopsy specimens. CAC scores increased from 452±869 (mean±SD) in the 1.25 Ca group and 500±909 in the 1.75 Ca group (P=0.68) at baseline to 616±1086 and 803±1412, respectively, at 24 months (P=0.25). Progression rate was significantly lower in the 1.25 Ca group than in the 1.75 Ca group (P=0.03). The prevalence of histologically diagnosed low bone turnover decreased from 85.0% to 41.8% in the 1.25 Ca group (P=0.001) and did not change in the 1.75 Ca group. At 24 months, bone formation rate, trabecular thickness, and bone volume were higher in the 1.25 Ca group than in the 1.75 Ca group. Thus, lowering dialysate Ca levels slowed the progression of CAC and improved bone turnover in patients on HD with baseline intact parathyroid hormone levels ≤300 pg/ml.

Long-term outcome of kidney transplantation from elderly living and expanded criteria deceased donors.

The imbalance between organ demand and supply causes the increasing use of suboptimal donors. The aim of this study is to investigate the survival and allograft function of kidney transplantation from standard (SLD) and elderly living (ELD), standard criteria (SCDD) and expanded criteria deceased (ECDD) donors. All patients transplanted from 1997 to 2005 were investigated according to the donor characteristics. Data were collected retrospectively during the 83.4±43.1 months of follow-up period. ELD was defined as donor age≥60 years. ECDD was defined as UNOS criteria. A total of 458 patients were divided into four groups: SLD (n:191), ELD (n:67), SCDD (n:154), and ECDD (n:46). Seven-year death-censored graft survival in SLD, ELD, SCDD, and ECDD were 81.6%, 64.8%, 84.7%, and 68.3%, respectively (p=0.003). The death-censored graft survival in ELD group was lower than in SLD (p=0.007) and SCDD (p=0.007) groups, while in ECDD group it was lower than in SCDD group (p=0.026). Patient survival was similar. In ECDD group, 83% of total deaths occurred within the first 3 years, mainly due to infections (66.6%) (p<0.05). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in ELD (compared with SLD and SCDD); and ECDD (compared with SCDD) at last visit. In multivariate analysis, ELD, experience of an acute rejection episode and presence of delayed graft function were the independent predictors for death censored graft loss. Transplantation of a suboptimal kidney provides inferior graft survival and function. A higher number of deaths due to infection in the early post-transplant period in the ECDD group are noteworthy.

Glycated hemoglobin predicts overall and cardiovascular mortality in non-diabetic hemodialysis patients.

AIMS: Besides diabetic patients, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels have been reported to predict mortality in non-diabetics patients. However, the importance of HbA1c levels in non-diabetic hemodialysis patients still remains unknown. Thus, we aimed to prospectively investigate the impact of HbA1c on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large group of prevalent non-diabetic hemodialysis patients. METHODS: HbA1c was measured quarterly in 489 non-diabetic prevalent hemodialysis patients. Overall and cardiovascular mortality were evaluated over a 3 year follow-up. RESULTS: Mean HbA1c level was 4.88 ± 0.46% (3.5 - 6.9%). During the 28.3 ± 10.6 months follow-up period, 67 patients (13.7%) died; 31 from cardiovascular causes. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients in the lowest (< 4.69%) and highest HbA1c (> 5.04%) tertiles had poorer overall survival compared to the middle HbA1c tertile (p < 0.001). Adjusted Cox-regression analysis revealed that the highest HbA1c tertile was associated with both overall (HR = 3.60, 95% CI 1.57 - 8.27, p = 0.002) and cardiovascular (HR = 6.66, 95% CI 1.51 - 29.4; p = 0.01) mortality. Also, low HbA1c levels tended to be associated with overall mortality (HR = 2.26, 95% CI 0.96 - 5.29, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Upper normal HbA1c levels are independently associated with cardiovascular and overall mortality in non-diabetic hemodialysis patients, whereas lower HbA1c levels are not.

Correlation between serum YKL-40 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) level and proteinuria in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: YKL-40 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) is a novel inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarker. Although YKL-40 is associated with albuminuria and predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a non-uremic population, it's status is not known in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to investigate plausible links between serum YKL-40 and proteinuria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 renal transplant recipients were included in this study. The level of proteinuria was calculated from spot urine using the protein/creatinine ratio. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Serum YKL-40 was determined by ELISA (R&D Systems, USA). RESULTS: The mean patient age was 40.5 ± 10 years. The mean YKL-40, GFR, and proteinuria levels were 66 ± 46 ng/ml, 49 ± 24 ml/min/1.73 m2, and 0.77 ± 1.15 g/day, respectively. Increases in the YKL-40 tertiles were correlated with increases in proteinuria and C-reactive protein and decreases in the GFR and serum albumin. An adjusted linear regression analysis demonstrated that the YKL-40 level (t=3.28, P=0.001), GFR (t=-3.00, P=0.003), and systolic blood pressure (t=2.51, P=0.01) were independently associated with proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that increased serum YKL-40 levels are independently associated with proteinuria in renal transplant recipients. YKL-40 may be responsible for the pathogenesis of cardiovascular injury in this patient population.

Effects of three times weekly eight-hour nocturnal hemodialysis on volume and nutritional status.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study compared the changes in body water composition and nutritional parameters measured with multifrequency bioimpedance analysis between 8-hour three times weekly nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) and 4-hour conventional hemodialysis (CHD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 55 patients on CHD and 57 patients on NHD were included in the study. Multifrequency bioimpedance analysis was performed at baseline and at the 12th month. The primary outcomes of the study were changes in extracellular water (ECW), fat mass, dry lean mass and phase angle. Secondary outcomes of the study included changes in blood pressure and biochemical parameters related to nutrition and inflammation. RESULTS: ECW/height values decreased in the NHD group, while they increased in the CHD group. Fat mass, dry lean mass, and serum albumin increased and high sensitive CRP decreased in the NHD group but did not change in the CHD group. When changes in parameters from baseline to the 12th month between the groups were compared, NHD was associated with improvement in volume parameter including ECW/height (difference -0.44 l/m, p < 0.001). Change in blood pressure was not different between the groups, however requirement for antihypertensive medication decreased from 26.5 to 8.5% in the NHD group (p = 0.002). NHD was also associated with increases in fat mass (difference 1.8 kg, p < 0.001), dry lean mass (difference 0.6 kg, p = 0.006), serum albumin (difference 0.19 g/dl, p < 0.001) and cholesterol (difference 18.8 mg, p < 0.001). Phase angle values decreased in the CHD group but did not change in the NHD group (difference between the groups 0.37°, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that longer HD facilitates volume control and improves nutritional status.

The evidence of occult hypervolemia; improvement of cardiac functions after kidney transplantation.

The term cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) has been used to define interactions between acute or chronic dysfunction of the heart or kidney. When primary chronic kidney disease contribute to cardiac dysfunction, it is classified as type 4 CRS. Cardiac dilatation, valve regurgitations, and left ventricular dysfunction are observed in end-stage renal failure patients with uremic cardiomyopathy. Because of perioperative risks in these patients, they may not be considered a candidate for kidney transplantation. However, uremic cardiomyopathy can be corrected when volume control is achieved by appropriate dose and duration of ultrafiltration. By presenting two cases with occult hypervolemia in uremic cardiomyopathy whose cardiac functions improved early after kidney transplantation, attention is drawn to the importance of kidney transplantation on cardiac function in such patients primarily and the importance of strict volume control on cardiac function in dialysis patients waiting for kidney transplantation.

The impact of membrane permeability and dialysate purity on cardiovascular outcomes.

The effects of high-flux dialysis and ultrapure dialysate on survival of hemodialysis patients are incompletely understood. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of both membrane permeability and dialysate purity on cardiovascular outcomes. We randomly assigned 704 patients on three times per week hemodialysis to either high- or low-flux dialyzers and either ultrapure or standard dialysate using a two-by-two factorial design. The primary outcome was a composite of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events during a minimum 3 years follow-up. We did not detect statistically significant differences in the primary outcome between high- and low-flux (HR=0.73, 95% CI=0.49 to 1.08, P=0.12) and between ultrapure and standard dialysate (HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.61 to 1.32, P=0.60). Posthoc analyses suggested that cardiovascular event-free survival was significantly better in the high-flux group compared with the low-flux group for the subgroup with arteriovenous fistulas, which constituted 82% of the study population (adjusted HR=0.61, 95% CI=0.38 to 0.97, P=0.03). Furthermore, high-flux dialysis associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular events among diabetic subjects (adjusted HR=0.49, 95% CI=0.25 to 0.94, P=0.03), and ultrapure dialysate associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular events among subjects with more than 3 years of dialysis (adjusted HR=0.55, 95% CI=0.31 to 0.97, P=0.04). In conclusion, this trial did not detect a difference in cardiovascular event-free survival between flux and dialysate groups. Posthoc analyses suggest that high-flux hemodialysis may benefit patients with an arteriovenous fistula and patients with diabetes and that ultrapure dialysate may benefit patients with longer dialysis vintage.

The associations between serum paraoxonase 1 activity and carotid atherosclerosis in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a novel marker that has been shown to exert protective functions on atherosclerosis by preventing oxidative modification of serum lipoproteins. In this study, we investigated the effects of PON1 on CA-IMT in renal transplant patients. METHODS: A total of 98 adult renal transplant recipients was enrolled in the study. CA-IMT was determined by B-mode Doppler ultrasonography. PON-1 activity was assessed by the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of paraoxon to p-nitrophenol. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.4 ± 9.6 years and 10% of the patients were diabetic. Time after transplant was 76 ± 59 months. Mean PON1 level was 62.1 ± 43.3 U/l. PON1 levels were negatively correlated with CA-IMT and positively with HDL cholesterol. Mean CA-IMT was 0.62 ± 0.10 mm (0.40 - 0.98). CA-IMT was positively correlated with age, male gender and negatively with proteinuria and PON1 levels. In linear regression analysis, PON1 levels were associated with CA-IMT. CONCLUSION: Reduced PON1 activity is significantly associated with increased carotid atherosclerosis in renal transplant patients.

Effect of fluid management guided by bioimpedance spectroscopy on cardiovascular parameters in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload is the main determinant of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients. However, assessment of fluid overload can be difficult in clinical practice. We investigated whether objective measurement of fluid overload with bioimpedance spectroscopy is helpful in optimizing fluid status. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, and controlled study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 156 hemodialysis patients from 2 centers were randomly assigned to 2 groups. INTERVENTION: Dry weight was assessed by routine clinical practice and fluid overload was assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy in both groups. In the intervention group (n = 78), fluid overload information was provided to treating physicians and used to adjust fluid removal during dialysis. In the control group (n = 78), fluid overload information was not provided to treating physicians and fluid removal during dialysis was adjusted according to usual clinical practice. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was regression of left ventricular mass index during a 1-year follow-up. Improvement in blood pressure and left atrial volume were the main secondary outcomes. Changes in arterial stiffness parameters were additional outcomes. MEASUREMENTS: Fluid overload was assessed twice monthly in the intervention group and every 3 months in the control group before the mid- or end-week hemodialysis session. Echocardiography, 48-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement, and pulse wave analysis were performed at baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: Baseline fluid overload parameters in the intervention and control groups were 1.45 ± 1.11 (SD) and 1.44 ± 1.12 L, respectively (P = 0.7). Time-averaged fluid overload values significantly decreased in the intervention group (mean difference, -0.5 ± 0.8 L), but not in the control group (mean difference, 0.1 ± 1.2 L), and the mean difference between groups was -0.5 L (95% CI, -0.8 to -0.2; P = 0.001). Left ventricular mass index regressed from 131 ± 36 to 116 ± 29 g/m(2) (P < 0.001) in the intervention group, but not in the control group (121 ± 35 to 120 ± 30 g/m(2); P = 0.9); mean difference between groups was -10.2 g/m(2) (95% CI, -19.2 to -1.17 g/m(2); P = 0.04). In addition, values for left atrial volume index, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness parameters decreased in the intervention group, but not in the control group. LIMITATIONS: Ambulatory blood pressure data were not available for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of fluid overload with bioimpedance spectroscopy provides better management of fluid status, leading to regression of left ventricular mass index, decrease in blood pressure, and improvement in arterial stiffness.

Soluble TWEAK level: is it a marker for cardiovascular disease in long-term hemodialysis patients?

BACKGROUND: Reduced soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) levels follow declining renal function, are strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction and predict cardiovascular events in nondialyzed chronic kidney disease patients. In contrast, elevated levels of sTWEAK predict poor survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Recent evidence suggests a role for sTWEAK in the pathophysiology of vascular calcification. The aim of the study was to investigate plausible links between sTWEAK, atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness and vascular calcification in HD patients. METHODS: Coronary artery calcification score (CACs) determined by multislice computed tomography, arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) by carotid Doppler ultrasonography were assessed in 131 long-term prevalent HD patients. sTWEAK levels were measured by ELISA (Bender MedSystems, Vienna, Austria). RESULTS: Mean serum sTWEAK level was 237.0 ± 147.5 pg/mL (range 78-937). sTWEAK level was inversely correlated with CA-IMT at a borderline significance (r=-0.168, p=0.05). Neither carotid-radial PWV nor carotid-femoral PWV values correlated with sTWEAK. sTWEAK level was higher in patients with severe vascular calcification (CACs ≥400) compared to patients with CACs <400 (264.5 ± 146.8 pg/mL vs. 205.04 ± 122.4 pg/mL, p=0.02).The association between sTWEAK and vascular calcification persisted after multivariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: There exists a weak inverse correlation between sTWEAK and carotid atherosclerosis and a positive correlation with coronary artery calcification in long-term HD patients. Our data give support for a role for sTWEAK in the pathogenesis of vascular injury in HD patients.

Pre-transplant HbA1c level as an early marker for new-onset diabetes after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is a common complication in renal transplant (RT) patients. The clinical significance of pre-transplant HbA1c level remains unclear in RT patients. Thus, we investigated the predictive role of pre-transplant HbA1c levels for the NODAT diagnosed in 1 year after renal transplantation. METHODS: Two hundred and four RT patients older than 18 years were analyzed. NODAT diagnosis during the 1-year follow-up after RT was based on the 2003 modified criteria of the ADA. HbA1c level was measured at pre-transplantation period and every 3 months after RT. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.3 ± 10.7 (20-73) years and 36 % were female. Mean pre-transplant HbA1c level was 4.9 ± 0.5 % (4.0-6.4 %). Pre-transplant HbA1c level was positively correlated with age, pre-transplant body mass index (BMI) and cholesterol level. Fifty-four patients (25.9 %) developed NODAT and 33.8 % had impaired fasting blood glucose levels. Patients with NODAT were significantly older and had higher pre-transplant BMI and HbA1c than those without. Use of Tacrolimus was also higher in patients with NODAT. In stepwise logistic regression analysis, pre-transplant HbA1c level was an independent predictor for the development on NODAT (OR = 4.63, 95 % CI: 2.09-10.2, p < 0.001) together with age, Tacrolimus-based regimen and pre-transplant fasting blood glucose level. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of pre-transplant HbA1c levels may be a valuable tool for early diagnosis of NODAT in RT recipients.

Mortality and cardiovascular events in online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) compared with high-flux dialysis: results from the Turkish OL-HDF Study.

BACKGROUND: Online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) is considered to confer clinical benefits over haemodialysis (HD) in terms of solute removal in patients undergoing maintenance HD. The aim of this study was to compare postdilution OL-HDF and high-flux HD in terms of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, we enrolled 782 patients undergoing thrice-weekly HD and randomly assigned them in a 1:1 ratio to either postdilution OL-HDF or high-flux HD. The mean age of patients was 56.5 ± 13.9 years, time on HD 57.9 ± 44.6 months with a diabetes incidence of 34.7%. The follow-up period was 2 years, with the mean follow-up of 22.7 ± 10.9 months. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause and nonfatal cardiovascular events. The major secondary outcomes were cardiovascular and overall mortality, intradialytic complications, hospitalization rate, changes in several laboratory parameters and medications used. RESULTS: The filtration volume in OL-HDF was 17.2 ± 1.3 L. Primary outcome was not different between the groups (event-free survival of 77.6% in OL-HDF versus 74.8% in the high-flux group, P = 0.28), as well as cardiovascular and overall survival, hospitalization rate and number of hypotensive episodes. In a post hoc analysis, the subgroup of OL-HDF patients treated with a median substitution volume >17.4 L per session (high-efficiency OL-HDF, n = 195) had better cardiovascular (P = 0.002) and overall survival (P = 0.03) compared with the high-flux HD group. In adjusted Cox-regression analysis, treatment with high-efficiency OL-HDF was associated with a 46% risk reduction for overall mortality {RR = 0.54 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.31-0.93], P = 0.02} and a 71% risk reduction for cardiovascular mortality [RR = 0.29 (95% CI 0.12-0.65), P = 0.003] compared with high-flux HD. CONCLUSIONS: The composite of all-cause mortality and nonfatal cardiovascular event rate was not different in the OL-HDF and in the high-flux HD groups. In a post hoc analysis, OL-HDF treatment with substitution volumes over 17.4 L was associated with better cardiovascular and overall survival.