Control de la hipertensión arterial mediante el esquema de hemodiálisis en días alternos (HDDA o «EODD»: «Every Other Day Dialysis») versus dos esquemas convencionales de 4 y 5 horas por sesión tres veces a la semana con 72 horas de fin de semana sin sesiones / Control of hypertension with different hemodialisis schedules

El aumento de la frecuencia de las sesiones de hemodiálisis garantiza un mejor control del volumen extracelular y de la hipertensión arterial, hechos que pueden reducir la mortalidad relacionada con patología cardiovascular entre la población en hemodiálisis. Describimos la evolución de la hipertensión arterial, en función de las necesidad de administración de fármacos antihipertensivos, en una población prevalente de 38 pacientes que iniciaron el esquema de hemodiálisis en días alternos sin descanso de 72 h de fin de semana, y la comparamos con 140 pacientes asimismo prevalentes que eran tratados en dos esquemas convencionales, previamente utilizados, con descanso de fin de semana y tres sesiones semanales de 4 y de 5 horas respectivamente; todos los pacientes habían permanecido durante más de 6 meses en hemodiálisis. El 68,4% (26/38) de los pacientes del esquema alterno presentaba hipertensión arterial al inicio del esquema alterno y tras 16,1 meses de permanencia media en el esquema solo mantuvieron medicación el 7,9% de ellos (3/38) con reducción en dos de los tres pacientes restantes (p < 0,001). Los 25 pacientes que cesaron o redujeron la medicación antihipertensiva lo hicieron en una media de 100 ± 15 días. La frecuencia final de hipertensión en diálisis alterna fue inferior a la que presentaban los 84 pacientes prevalentes con esquema de 4 horas x 3 sesiones x semana (60,7%) (p < 0,002) y a la de los 56 pacientes prevalentes con esquema de 5 horas x 3 sesiones x semana (25%: p = 0,065). Las diferencias entre las ganancias medias de peso entre sesiones con y sin fin de semana, los descensos medios del peso seco, las medias de tensión arterial y la frecuencia de hipotensiones, entre los pacientes en el esquema alterno y los del esquema con fin de semana y 3 sesiones de 4 horas durante la misma, alcanzaron diferencia significativa (p < 0,05). Estos mismos datos comparados con el mismo esquema pero con sesiones de 5 horas fueron mejores pero sin alcanzar significación estadística. El gasto farmacéutico en medicación antihipertensiva se redujo en un 87%. Nuestros resultados, empleando el esquema de hemodiálisis en días alternos sin descanso de 72 horas, apoyan experiencias previas (Lecce, Columbia) que consiguen controlar el peso seco tras hacer desaparecer el exceso de volumen acumulado en el fin de semana posibilitando unas tasas adecuadas de ultrafiltración, minimizando la aparición de hipertensión y de los síntomas de intolerancia en hemodiálisis, tan frecuentes en el esquema convencional

An increase in the frequency of hemodialysis sessions improves control of extracellular volume and blood hypertension and consequently reduces the mortality related to cardiovascular aetiology in hemodialysis patients. We report the evolution of the blood hypertension depending on the need for antihypertensive drugs in a group of 38 prevalent patients that were included in a every-otherday dialysis schedule (EODD), and compare it with the results in two other groups of prevalent patients that were dialyzed in conventional, previously employed schedules without week-end sessions 4hoursx3xweek and 5hoursx3xweek. All three groups received hemodialysis treatment for more than 6 months. A 68% (26/38) of the patients received antihypertensive treatment at the beginning the EODD schedule and, after 16 months, only 7.9% (3/38) of them required antihypertensive treatment (p < 0.001) with reduction in two of the three remanent patients; hypertension control in those 25 patients took an average of 100 ± 15 days. The final frequency of hypertension in EODD was lower (p < 0.002) than the frequency registered in the 84 prevalent patients in 4hx3xweek schedule, and also lower (p = 0.065) than the frequency of the 56 prevalent patients in 5hx3xweek schedule. There is a significant difference (p < 0,05) between EODD and 4hx3xweek schedule as regards average figures of: increase in weight, decrease in dry-weight, blood pressure levels and hypotension incidence. EODD also produced better results than 5hx3xweek schedule in this regard although statistics did not reflect it. The results using the every-other-day hemodialysis schedule support previous experiences (Lecce, Columbia) which achieved a good control of the dry-weight by means of suppressing the volume overload gained during the weekend and consequently obtaining adequate ultrafiltration rates and high reduction both of the hypertension and of the symptoms of intolerance to hemodialysis, which are so frequent in conventional schedules with 72 hours without hemodialysis sessions

[Control of arterial hypertension by means of a regimen of hemodialysis on alternate days (HDAA or EODD: "Every Other Day Dialysis") versus 2 conventional regiments of 4 and 5 hours per session 3 times a week with 72 hours without sessions during the weekends]. / Control de la hipertensión arterial mediante el esquema de hemodiálisis en días alternos (HDDA o EODD: "Every Other Day Dialysis") versus dos esquemas convencionales de 4 y 5 horas por sesión tres veces a la semana con 72 horas de fin de semana sin sesiones.

An increase in the frequency of hemodialysis sessions improves control of extracellular volume and blood hypertension and consequently reduces the mortality related to cardiovascular aetiology in hemodialysis patients.We report the evolution of the blood hypertension depending on the need for antihypertensive drugs in a group of 38 prevalent patients that were included in a every-other-day dialysis schedule (EODD), and compare it with the results in two other groups of prevalent patients that were dialyzed in conventional, previously employed schedules without week-end sessions 4 hours x 3 x week and 5 hours x 3 x week. All three groups received hemodialysis treatment for more than 6 months.A 68% (26/38) of the patients received antihypertensive treatment at the beginning the EODD schedule and, after 16 months, only 7.9% (3/38) of them required antihypertensive treatment (p < 0.001) with reduction in two of the three remanent patients; hypertension control in those 25 patients took an average of 100 +/- 15 days. The final frequency of hypertension in EODD was lower (p < 0.002) than the frequency registered in the 84 prevalent patients in 4h x 3 x week schedule, and also lower (p = 0.065) than the frequency of the 56 prevalent patients in 5h x 3 x week schedule. There is a significant difference (p < 0,05) between EODD and 4h x 3 x week schedule as regards average figures of: increase in weight, decrease in dry-weight, blood pressure levels and hypotension incidence. EODD also produced better results than 5h x 3 x week schedule in this regard although statistics did not reflect it. The results using the every-other-day hemodialysis schedule support previous experiences(Lecce, Columbia) which achieved a good control of the dry-weight by means of suppressing the volume overload gained during the weekend and consequently obtaining adequate ultrafiltration rates and high reduction both of the hypertension and of the symptoms of intolerance to hemodialysis, which are so frequent in conventional schedules with 72 hours without hemodialysis sessions.

[Darbepoetin in the treatment of the renal anaemia in the patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis previously treated with epoetin alfa]. / Darbepoetina alfa en el tratamiento de la anemia del paciente en diálisis peritoneal previamente tratado con epoetina alfa.

INTRODUCTION: In 2002, it was contraindicated the use of epoetin alfa by a subcutaneous way to avoid the risk of the pure red cell aplasia in chronic renal failure patients. This forced to change the prescription in the way it was supplied, which was especially problematic in predialysis and peritoneal dialysis, as treating out-patients, that is why it was necessary to change to epoetina beta o darbepoetin, where this contraindication was not established, in order to continue using this way. The darbepoetin has an average lifetime longer than the epoetin. Its efficacy and security have been well studied, especially in pre-dialysis and haemodialysis, but little less in peritoneal dialysis. AIMS: To evaluate our experience about the efficacy and security of darbepoetin alfa, by a subcutaneous way, in our programme of peritoneal dialysis, after the conversion of the patients previously treated with epoetin alfa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 35 patients. 7 analytical and clinical controls are evaluated, 2 before and 5 after the conversion, with an interval of 6 weeks. Statistics methods: means +/- typical deviation, medians, distribution of frequencies, Wilcoxon test and Friedman test. RESULTS: The change into darbepoetin alfa has been successful in maintaining stable haemoglobin levels in patients in peritoneal dialysis, without meaningful changes in the mean levels of haemoglobin before and after the conversion. The percentage of patients with haemoglobin in the rank 11-13 g/dl (85%) has been higher with the darbepoetin, probably due to the dose increment in the patients with previous levels of haemoglobin less than 11 g/dl. The dosages might have been widely separated (7.5 +/- 3 vs 9.2 +/- 3.2 days). The darbepoetin has been well tolerated, without any important adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The conversion of epoetin alfa into darbepoetin alfa in peritoneal dialysis was simple, effective, secure and well tolerated.

[Benefits of every other day dialysis (EODD) without rest for 72 hours in patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease]. / Beneficios de la hemodiálisis en días alternos sin descanso de 72 horas (EODD: every other day dialysis) en pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular sintomática.

With the purpose to improve the clinical situation of nine hemodialysis patients who suffer from severe cardiovascular disease and are highly symptomatic after weekends without dialysis because of fluid overload, their dialysis schedule was changed from 5 hours in 3 sessions per week to 4 hours every other day sessions (EODD), avoiding 72 hours of interdialitic weekend period. In each patient, during 38 sessions previous to starting the EODD (stage 1: 3 months) and the 38 sessions in EODD, which followed the first month of this dialysis regime (stage 2), the frequency of the next incidences was registered (ratio in 348 sessions, in every stage, of this patients group): presence of dysnea and/or hypertension pre dialysis session, pre or intra dialysis angor, emergency sessions with hypotension and sessions without achieving predetermined dry-weight. During the EODD stage, sessions, with dysena, hypertension and pre or intra dialysis angor were reduced in 80% (p < 0.001); the incidence of sessions with hypotensive episode or sessions without achieving dry-weight decreased in a third. All patients experimented a considerable improvement in their clinical situation. In addition, the whole group reduced dry-weight and later regained it without presenting symptoms which had motivated EODD schedule. EODD schedule improves the clinical situation in patients with cardiopathy who would not do so when following previous schedule (which includes 48 hours without dialysis).

Darbepoetina alfa en el tratamiento de la anemia del paciente en diálisis peritoneal previamente tratado con epoetina alfa / Darbepoetin in the treatment of the renal anaemia in the patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis previously treated with epoetin alfa

Introducción: En el año 2002 se contraindicó el empleo de epoetina alfa víasubcutánea para minimizar el riesgo de aplasia pura de células rojas. Esto obligóa un cambio de prescripción en su vía de administración, lo que fue especialmenteproblemático en prediálisis y diálisis peritoneal, por tratarse de pacientesambulatorios, siendo necesario cambiar a epoetina beta o darbepoetina, en lasque no se estableció esta contraindicación. La darbepoetina tiene una vida mediasuperior a la epoetina. Su eficacia y seguridad han sido bien estudiadas, sobretodo en prediálisis y hemodiálisis, pero menos en diálisis peritoneal.Objetivos: Analizar nuestra experiencia en cuanto a la eficacia y seguridad deltratamiento con darbepoetina alfa por vía subcutánea para la corrección de laanemia renal en los pacientes del programa de diálisis peritoneal tratados previamentecon epoetina alfa.Material y métodos: Treinta y cinco pacientes en diálisis peritoneal. Se analizanlos parámetros analíticos y los acontecimientos clínicos en 7 controles, 2 antes y5 después de la conversión a darbepoetina, con intervalos de 6 semanas. Estadística:Medias ± ds, medianas, frecuencias, tests de Wilcoxon y Friedman.Resultados: El cambio a darbepoetina alfa ha sido efectivo para mantener valoresde hemoglobina estables en los pacientes en diálisis peritoneal, sin cambiossignificativos en los niveles medios de hemoglobina antes y después de la conversión.El porcentaje de pacientes con hemoglobina en el rango 11-13 g/dl (85%)ha sido mayor con la darbepoetina, probablemente como consecuencia del incrementode la dosis en aquellos pacientes con niveles de hemoglobina previosmenores de 11 g/dl. Aunque no fue objetivo inicial, las dosis han podido ser distanciadas(7,5 ± 3 vs 9,2 ± 3,2 días). La darbepoetina ha sido bien tolerada, sinefectos adversos importantes.Conclusiones: La conversión de epoetina alfa a darbepoetina alfa en diálisis peritonealfue sencilla, eficaz y segura

Introduction: In 2002, it was contraindicated the use of epoetin alfa by a subcutaneousway to avoid the risk of the pure red cell aplasia in chronic renal failurepatients. This forced to change the prescription in the way it was supplied,which was especially problematic in predialysis and peritoneal dialysis, as treatingout-patients, that is why it was necessary to change to epoetina beta o darbepoetin,where this contraindication was not established, in order to continue using thisway. The darbepoetin has an average lifetime longer than the epoetin. Its efficacyand security have been well studied, especially in pre-dialysis and haemodialysis,but little less in peritoneal dialysis.Aims: To evaluate our experience about the efficacy and security of darbepoetinalfa, by a subcutaneous way, in our programme of peritoneal dialysis, after theconversion of the patients previously treated with epoetin alfa.Patients and methods: 35 patients. 7 analytical and clinical controls are evaluated,2 before and 5 after the conversion, with an interval of 6 weeks. Statisticsmethods: means ± typical deviation, medians, distribution of frequencies, Wilcoxontest and Friedman test.Results: The change into darbepoetin alfa has been successful in maintainingstable haemoglobin levels in patients in peritoneal dialysis, without meaningfulchanges in the mean levels of haemoglobin before and after the conversion. Thepercentage of patients with haemoglobin in the rank 11-13 g/dl (85%) has beenhigher with the darbepoetin, probably due to the dose increment in the patientswith previous levels of haemoglobin less than 11 g/dl. The dosages might havebeen widely separated (7.5 ± 3 vs 9.2 ± 3.2 days). The darbepoetin has beenwell tolerated, without any important adverse effects.Conclusions: The conversion of epoetin alfa into darbepoetin alfa in peritonealdialysis was simple, effective, secure and well tolerated

Beneficios de la hemodiálisis en días alternos sin descanso de 72 horas (EODD: Every other day dialysis) en pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular sintomática / Benefits of every other day dialysis (eodd) on dialysis patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease

Con el objetivo de mejorar la situación clínica de un grupo de nueve pacientes enhemodiálisis con patología cardiovascular severa, que mantenía síntomas causadospor expansión de volumen con mala tolerancia al fin de semana sin diálisis, cambiamosla pauta de tres sesiones semanales de 5 horas con descanso de fin de semanapor el régimen de hemodiálisis en días alternos con sesiones de 4 horas sin descansode 72 horas en el fin de semana.En cada paciente, durante las 38 sesiones del esquema primitivo previas al inicio dela diálisis alterna (fase 1: 3 meses) y en las 38 sesiones del esquema alterno (fase 2)que siguieron al primer mes de su inicio se registraron las frecuencias por sesión de lasincidencias siguientes: presencia de disnea y/o hipertensión arterial antes de la sesión,angor pre o intradiálisis, sesiones urgentes no programadas, sesiones con hipotensióny sesiones sin lograr el peso seco.Los resultados se expresan en porcentaje de incidencias en 348 sesiones del grupode pacientes en cada fase de los dos esquemas de diálisis.En la fase de hemodiálisis en días alternos las sesiones del grupo con disnea, hipertensióno angor se redujo en un 80% (p < 0,001); las sesiones con al menos una hipotensióny aquellas en las que no se alcanzó el peso seco disminuyeron en un tercio.Todos los pacientes experimentaron una mejoría clínica importante y bajaron elpeso seco para recuperarlo posteriormente sin reaparición de los síntomas que motivaronel cambio de esquema.La hemodiálisis en días alternos es un sistema que mejora la clínica de los pacientescon patología cardiovascular respecto al esquema de 5 horas en 3 sesiones semanalescon dos días sin diálisis

With the purpose to improve the clinical situation of nine hemodialysis patients whosuffer from severe cardiovascular disease and are highly symptomatic after weekendswithout dialysis because of fluid overload, their dialysis schedule was changed from5 hours in 3 sessions per week to 4 hours every other day sessions (EODD), avoiding72 hours of interdialitic weekend period.In each patient, during 38 sessions previous to starting the EODD (stage 1: 3months) and the 38 sessions in EODD, which followed the first month of this dialysisregime (stage 2), the frequency of the next incidences was registered (ratio in 348 sessions,in every stage, of this patients group): presence of dysnea and/or hypertensionpre dialysis session, pre or intra dialysis angor, emergency sessions with hypotensionand sessions without achieving predetermined dry-weight.During the EODD stage, sessions, with dysena, hypertension and pre or intra dialysisangor were reduced in 80% (p < 0.001); the incidence of sessions with hypotensiveepisode or sessions without achieving dry-weight decreased in a third.All patients experimented a considerable improvement in their clinical situation. Inaddition, the whole group reduced dry-weight and later regained it without presentingsymptoms which had motivated EODD schedule.EODD schedule improves the clinical situation in patients with cardiopathy whowould not do so when following previous schedule (which includes 48 hours withoutdialysis)