Is it easier to dialyze women than men?

Since the urea kinetic model is used as an objective method for monitoring dialysis, it has been possible to shorten reasonably its duration. From the usual practice, we have observed that it is easier to reduce the dialysis time in women as compared to men. The purpose of this study is to find out the reason for such observation and to corroborate it. Fourty-two patients, 25 males and 17 females on 3-weekly dialysis (3 h/session) were studied. All patients were dialyzed under the same dialysis characteristics: 3-hour sessions, blood flow 350 ml/min, ultrafiltration 1.5 liters/h, 1.5-m2 cuprophane membrane and bicarbonate buffer. The dialysate was collected in a graduated tank. Urea concentration in plasma and in the dialysate was measured. Then, the urea distribution volume, dialyzer clearance, the KT/V index and protein catabolic rate were calculated. The KT/V value was higher in women with respect to men, 1,017 +/- 0.10 versus 0.82 +/- 0.14 (p < 0.001). The urea distribution volume value was significantly higher in men as compared to women, 60.04 +/- 6.6 versus 51.48 +/- 5.88% (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in dialyzer clearance, protein catabolic rate or body weight. In conclusion, under identical dialysis conditions, it is easier to dialyze women than men, because women's urea distribution volume is lower than men's.

Treatment of nephrotic syndrome associated with idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and cyclosporin A.

Recent reports suggest that cyclosporin A is beneficial in inducing remission of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is seen in 10-30% of patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. We report a case of a 69-year-old man with nephrotic syndrome, associated with idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, who was treated initially with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide. Three months later he developed thrombophlebitis and leucopenia and cyclophosphamide was suspended. Relapse of nephrotic syndrome associated with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis developed and therapy with cyclosporin A was used with a good response.

Analysis of urea distribution volume in hemodialysis.

According to the urea kinetic model it is considered that the urea distribution volume (V) is that of body water, and that it is distributed in only one compartment. Since the V value is different to measure, it is normal to use 58% of body weight, in spite of the fact that it may range from 35 to 75%. In this study, we have calculated the value of V by using an accurate method based on the total elimination of urea from the dialysate. We have studied the V, and also whether the different dialysis characteristics modify it. Thirty-five patients were included in this study, 19 men and 16 women, under a chronic hemodialysis programme. The dialysate was collected in a graduated tank, and the concentration of urea in plasma and in dialysate were determined every hour. Every patient received six dialysis sessions, changing the blood flow (250 or 350 ml/min), the ultrafiltration (0.5 or 1.5 l/h), membrane (cuprophane or polyacrylonitrile) and/or buffer (bicarbonate or acetate). At the end of the hemodialysis session, the V value ranged from 43 to 72% of body weight; nevertheless, this value was practically constant in every patient. The V value gradually increased throughout the dialysis session, 42.1 +/- 6.9% of body weight in the first hour, 50.7 +/- 7.5% in the second hour and 55.7 +/- 7.9% at the end of the dialysis session. The change of blood flow, ultrafiltration, membrane or buffer did not alter the results. The V value was significantly higher in men in comparison with women, 60.0 +/- 6.6% vs. 50.5 +/- 5.9% of body weight (p < 0.001).

Low molecular weight heparin (CY-216) versus unfractionated heparin in chronic hemodialysis.

In 14 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, we investigated the safety and efficacy of the low molecular fragment (CY-216) in comparison to unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the prevention of clotting in the extracorporeal circuit (ECC). In this study, 168 hemodialysis sessions were undertaken with UFH in 2 bolus doses (5,437 +/- 1,477 SD IU) and 231 with CY-216 in a single bolus dose [initial dose 150 anti-Xa U Institut Choay (IC)/kg]. There were no clots in the bubble trap in any UFH sessions, and 14.8% had coagulated fibers in the dialyzer. Clotting in the bubble trap was observed in 2 CY-216 sessions (0.8%) and coagulated fibers in 22.6% of the sessions. At the end of the study, the mean dose of CY-216 was 250 anti-Xa UIC/kg but a dose of 350 anti-Xa UIC/kg was needed in the 2 patients treated by recombinant human erythropoietin. Anti-Xa levels at the end of the runs were higher (0.47 +/- 0.1 U/ml) in the CY-216 group than in the UFH group (0.28 +/- 0.1 U/ml). There was a correlation between anti-Xa levels and efficacy in the CY-216 group. An anti-Xa activity above 0.4 U/ml was needed in order to minimize thrombus formation. Antithrombin III-protease complexes (ATM) and D dimer fibrin derivatives (D dimer) were used as thrombotic markers but they were of little value for the detection of fibrin formation in the ECC. Our findings suggest that CY-216 administered as a single bolus dose seems to be of similar effectiveness to UFH.

Validation of different methods to calculate Kt/V considering postdialysis rebound.

BACKGROUND: The effect of increasing dialysis efficiency magnifies rebound urea and the error in Kt/V determinations from single pool urea kinetics. Several formulae have been developed to calculate Kt/V taking into account the rebound urea (Kt/Vr). Smye et al. proposed a method whereby the equilibrated BUN is predicted by an additional intradialytic urea sample (Kt/VrSmye). Daugirdas et al. proposed a method where a single pool Kt/V is modified according to the speed of dialysis to obtain a double pool Kt/V (Kt/VrDaug). Maduell et al. developed a method based on analysis of post-dialysis urea rebound whereby the Kt/Vr is predicted according to the single pool Kt/V and K/V (Kt/VrMad). DESIGN OF THE STUDY: We compared Kt/Vr estimated by these three formulae (Smye, Daugirdas, and Maduell) in 384 patients consisting of 211 males and 173 females, who received dialysis according to their regular protocols. Plasma urea was measured at the beginning, 90-100 min following the start of dialysis, the end, and 45 min post-dialysis. RESULTS: Post-dialysis rebound urea was 22.4 +/- 9.7%. Kt/V and Kt/Vr obtained with rea kinetic model Kt/V 1.184 +/- 0.22 and 0.984 +/- 0.20, respectively. These was a good correlation between Kt/Vr and the Smye formula (Kt/VrSmye = 0.956 +/- 0.21, r = 0.729, P < 0.001), and a better one for Daugirdas (Kt/VrDaug = 0.984 +/- 0.18, r = 0.931, P < 0.001), and Maduell formulae (Kt/VrMad = 0.980 +/- 0.18, r = 0.946, P < 0.001). Limits of agreement and percentage of error estimated according to Bland and Altman show that Kt/Vr estimated by Daugirdas and Maduell formulae could be used in place of the Kt/Vr. The degree of agreement with the Smye method is not clinically acceptable. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the use of a single pool Kt/V is not adequate to estimate the haemodialysis dose delivered and Kt/V taking rebound urea in consideration. Kt/Vr estimated by Daugirdas or Maduell formulae are a simple and accurate method for use in clinical practice.

Urea reduction ratio considering urea rebound.

An American National Study shows that survival benefits from higher dialysis doses appear to be present up to a Kt/V level of 1.3 or a urea reduction ratio (URR) of 70%. The effect of increasing dialysis efficiency magnified urea rebound and the error in URR determinations. Several formulas have been developed to calculate URR considering the urea rebound (URRr). Smye and coworkers have proposed a method whereby the equilibrated blood urea nitrogen is predicted by additional intradialytic urea sample. Maduell and colleagues, based on analysis of postdialysis urea rebound, have proposed a method whereby the urea rebound is predicted. To compare measured URRr to estimated by Smye and Maduell formulas, 384 patients were studied, 211 males and 173 females, who received a dialysis session with their habitual parameters. Measurements of plasma urea concentration were obtained at the beginning, 90-100 min following the start of dialysis, at the end, and 45 min after dialysis. The postdialysis urea rebound was 22.4+/-9.7%. The urea kinetic model Kt/V was 1.365+/-0.26, and Kt/Vr was 1.14+/-0.23. URR was 68.7+/-6.6%, and when it was calculated with urea rebound, it decreased to 61.9+/-7.4%. The URRr correlated with calculations by Smye and Maduell formulas: 60.7+/-8.4 (r = 0.722, p < 0.001) and 61.8+/-6.6 (r = 0.933, p < 0.001), respectively. The precision of estimated limits of agreement and percentage of error by Bland and Altman analysis show that URRr estimated Maduell formula could be used in place of the URRr. Otherwise, the degree of agreement of the Smye method was not clinically acceptable. In conclusion, our results led us to suggest that in actual dialysis, the use of URR is not adequate for delivered hemodialysis dose, and URRr should be used. URRr estimated by Maduell formula could be a simple and accurate method for use in clinical practice. The recommended dialysis dose by the American National Study of URR of 70% could correspond, considering urea rebound, to Kt/Vr 1.18 or URRr of 64%.

Atención nefrológica extrahospitalaria: ¿es posible en el entorno de un hospital comarcal? / Extra-hospital nephrology care. is it the setting of a regional hospital?

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