Comparative analysis of kidney transplant costs related to recovery of renal function after the procedure.

INTRODUCTION: The number of kidney transplants (KTx) is increasing in Brazil and, consequently, the costs of this procedure increase the country's health budget. We retrospectively evaluated the data of kidney transplant procedures until hospital discharge, according to kidney function recovery after the procedure. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the non-sensitized, 1st KTx from deceased donors performed between Jan/2010 to Dec/2017. RESULTS: Out of the 1300 KTx from deceased donors performed in this period, 730 patients were studied and divided into 3 groups: Immediate Renal Function (IRF) - decrease in serum creatinine ≥ 10% on two consecutive days; Delayed Graft Function (DGF) - decrease in serum creatinine <10% on two consecutive days, without the need for dialysis, and Dialysis (D) - need for dialysis during the first week. Patients in group D stayed longer in the hospital compared to DGF and IRF (21, 11 and 8 days respectively, p < 0.001). More D patients (21%) were admitted to the ICU and performed a greater number of laboratory tests (p < 0.001) and renal biopsies (p < 0.001), in addition to receiving a higher amount of immunosuppressants. Total hospital costs were higher in group D and DGF compared to IRF (U$ 7.021,48; U$ 3.603,42 and U$ 2.642,37 respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The costs of the transplant procedure is impacted by the recovery of kidney function after the transplant. The reimbursement for each of these different kidney function outcomes should be individualized in order to cover their real costs.

Eculizumab interruption in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome due to shortage: analysis of a Brazilian cohort.

BACKGROUND: The risk of eculizumab therapy discontinuation in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is unclear. The main objective of this study was to analyze the risk of aHUS relapse after eculizumab interruption due to drug shortage in Brazil. METHODS: We screened all the registered dialysis centers in Brazil (n = 800), willing to participate in the aHUS Brazilian shortage cohort, through electronic mail and formal invitation by the Brazilian Society of Nephrology. We included patients with aHUS whose eculizumab therapy underwent unplanned discontinuation for at least 30 days between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2019 during the maintenance phase of treatment. Relapse was defined by the development of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, acute kidney injury or thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in a kidney biopsy. RESULTS: We analyzed 25 episodes of exposure to risk of relapse, from 24 patients. Median age was 33 (6-53) years, 18 (72%) were female, 9 (36%) had a functioning renal graft, 5 (20%) were undergoing dialysis. CFH variant was found in 8 (32%) episodes. There were 11 relapses. The risk of relapse was 34%, 44.5% and 58% at 114, 150 and 397 days, respectively. No baseline variable was related to relapse in Cox multivariate analysis, including CFH variant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the cumulative incidence of aHUS relapse at 397 days was 58% after eculizumab interruption. The presence of complement variant does not seem to be associated with a higher relapse rate. The eculizumab interruption was deemed not safe, considering that the rate of relapse was high.

Comparative analysis of kidney transplant costs related to recovery of renal function after the procedure / Análise comparativa dos custos do transplante renal relacionados à recuperação da função renal após o procedimento

Abstract Introduction: The number of kidney transplants (KTx) is increasing in Brazil and, consequently, the costs of this procedure increase the country's health budget. We retrospectively evaluated the data of kidney transplant procedures until hospital discharge, according to kidney function recovery after the procedure. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the non-sensitized, 1st KTx from deceased donors performed between Jan/2010 to Dec/2017. Results: Out of the 1300 KTx from deceased donors performed in this period, 730 patients were studied and divided into 3 groups: Immediate Renal Function (IRF) - decrease in serum creatinine ≥ 10% on two consecutive days; Delayed Graft Function (DGF) - decrease in serum creatinine <10% on two consecutive days, without the need for dialysis, and Dialysis (D) - need for dialysis during the first week. Patients in group D stayed longer in the hospital compared to DGF and IRF (21, 11 and 8 days respectively, p < 0.001). More D patients (21%) were admitted to the ICU and performed a greater number of laboratory tests (p < 0.001) and renal biopsies (p < 0.001), in addition to receiving a higher amount of immunosuppressants. Total hospital costs were higher in group D and DGF compared to IRF (U$ 7.021,48; U$ 3.603,42 and U$ 2.642,37 respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The costs of the transplant procedure is impacted by the recovery of kidney function after the transplant. The reimbursement for each of these different kidney function outcomes should be individualized in order to cover their real costs.

Resumo Introdução: O número de transplantes renais (KTx, do inglês kidney transplant) está aumentando no Brasil e, consequentemente, os custos deste procedimento aumentam o orçamento de saúde do país. Avaliamos retrospectivamente dados dos procedimentos de transplantes renais até a alta hospitalar, de acordo com a recuperação da função renal após o procedimento. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos 1º KTx de doadores falecidos, não sensibilizados, realizados entre Jan/2010 a Dez/2017. Resultados: Dos 1300 KTx de doadores falecidos realizados neste período, 730 pacientes foram estudados e divididos em 3 grupos: Função Renal Imediata (FRI) - diminuição na creatinina sérica ≥ 10% em dois dias consecutivos; Função Retardada do Enxerto (FRE) - diminuição na creatinina sérica <10% em dois dias consecutivos, sem necessidade de diálise, e Diálise (D) - necessidade de diálise durante a primeira semana. Pacientes no grupo D permaneceram mais tempo no hospital em comparação com FRE e FRI (21, 11 e 8 dias dias respectivamente, p < 0,001). Mais pacientes do grupo D (21%) foram admitidos na UTI e realizaram um maior número de testes laboratoriais (p < 0,001) e biópsias renais (p < 0,001), além de receberem uma quantidade maior de imunossupressores. Os custos hospitalares totais foram mais elevados nos grupos D e FRE em comparação com FRI (U$ 7.021,48; U$ 3.603,42 e U$ 2.642,37 respectivamente, p < 0,001). Conclusão: Os custos do procedimento de transplante são impactados pela recuperação da função renal após o transplante. O reembolso para cada um desses diferentes desfechos da função renal deve ser individualizado a fim de cobrir seus custos reais.

Utilização da veia ilíaca externa recanalizada para implante de cateter de longa permanência para hemodiálise / Using recanalized external iliac vein for tunneled hemodialysis catheter insertion

O uso de cateteres venosos cervicais para hemodiálise leva freqüentemente à oclusão dessas veias. Como alternativa, os acessos venosos femorais são válidos, porém o seu uso também está associado à oclusão dessas veias e a um maior índice de infecção. Vias alternativas são cada vez mais utilizadas na impossibilidade dos acessos previamente mencionados. Descrevemos neste relato de caso uma alternativa para o implante de cateter de longa permanência para hemodiálise usando a veia ilíaca externa recanalizada. Comentamos os detalhes da técnica utilizada, suas vantagens e desvantagens.

The frequent insertion of cervical venous catheters for hemodialysis is closely related to venous stenosis or occlusion. As an alternative, femoral catheter insertions are helpful but are also associated with femoral vein occlusion and an even higher infection rate. Alternative venous accesses have been increasingly used when the aforementioned accesses are not feasible. We report a case in which a recanalized external iliac vein was used for hemodialysis tunneled catheter insertion. The technique approach is discussed, focusing on its advantages and disadvantages.