Success with plasmapheresis treatment for recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in pediatric renal transplant recipients

FSGS recurs in approximately 30% of transplanted kidneys and may lead to graft loss. We retrospectively examined the efficacy of early and intensive PP without additional IS in pediatric kidney transplant patients with recurrent FSGS at our center. Seven of 24 patients (29%) had nephrotic proteinuria and histologic evidence of FSGS recurrence within 1–5 days post‐transplantation. PP was initiated early after transplantation and initially performed daily until sustained decline in proteinuria. PP frequency was then individually tapered according to proteinuria. Recurrent FSGS in all seven patients responded to a four‐ to 32‐wk course of PP. Two of seven patients had a second recurrence of FSGS, and both recurrences remitted after an additional 3–6 wk of PP. Median observation period was 4.5 yr (0.8–16.3 yr). Complete remission of recurrent FSGS has been sustained in all seven patients, and all patients have stable graft function with recent plasma creatinine <1.5 mg/dL in six of seven patients. Most recent urine protein/creatinine is 0.13–0.61 mg/mg in six of seven patients. One patient has heavy proteinuria secondary to chronic allograft nephropathy 16 yr post‐transplant. Intensive and prolonged PP, when initiated early in the post‐operative period, is effective in treating recurrent FSGS and preventing graft loss without the use of additional immunosuppressants.     

New Cochrane Systematic Reviews – Cochrane Oral Health Group

ENAMEL MATRIX DERIVATIVE (EMDOGAIN®) FOR PERIODONTAL TISSUE REGENERATION IN INTRABONY DEFECTS (Cochrane Review). In: THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS, ISSUE 4, 2005.Esposito M, Grusovin MG, Coulthard P, Worthington H

Background

Periodontitis is a chronic infective disease of the gums caused by bacteria present in dental plaque. This condition induces the breakdown of the tooth-supporting apparatus until teeth are lost. Surgery may be indicated to arrest disease progression and regenerate lost tissues. Several surgical techniques have been developed to regenerate periodontal tissues including guided tissue regeneration (GTR), bone grafting (BG), and the use of enamel matrix derivative (EMD). EMD is an extract of enamel matrix and contains amelogenins of various molecular weights. Amelogenins are involved in the formation of enamel and periodontal attachment formation during tooth development.

Objectives

The objectives were to test whether EMD is effective, and to compare EMD versus GTR and various BG procedures for the treatment of intrabony defects.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane OHG Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Several journals were hand searched. No language restrictions were applied. Authors of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) who were identified, personal contacts, and the manufacturer were contacted to identify unpublished trials. The most recent search was May 2005.

Selection criteria

Selected studies were RCTs on patients affected by periodontitis having intrabony defects of at least 3 mm treated with EMD compared with open flap debridement, GTR, and various BG procedures with at least 1 year of follow-up. The outcome measures considered were tooth loss, changes in probing attachment levels (PAL), pocket depths (PPD), gingival recessions (REC), bone levels from the bottom of the defects on intraoral radiographs, esthetics, and adverse events. The following time points were to be evaluated: 1, 5, and 10 years.

Data collection & analysis

Screening of eligible studies, assessment of the methodological quality of the trials, and data extraction were conducted in duplicate and independently by 2 authors. Results were expressed as random-effects models using mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). It was decided not to investigate heterogeneity, but a sensitivity analysis for the risk of bias of the trials was performed.

Main results

Ten trials were included out of 29 potentially eligible trials. No included trial presented data after 5 years of follow-up, therefore all data refer to the 1-year time point. A meta-analysis including 8 trials showed that EMD-treated sites displayed statistically significant PAL improvements (mean difference 1.2 mm, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.7) and PPD reduction (0.8 mm, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.0) when compared to placebo or control treated sites, although a high degree of heterogeneity was found. Significantly more sites had less than 2 mm PAL gain in the control group, with RR 0.48 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.80). Approximately 6 patients needed to be treated (NNT) to have 1 patient gaining 2 mm or more PAL over the control group, based on a prevalence in the control group of 35%. No differences in tooth loss or esthetic appearance as judged by the patients were observed. When evaluating the only 2 trials at a low risk of bias in a sensitivity analysis, the effect size for PAL was 0.6 mm, which was less than 1.2 mm for the overall result. Comparing EMD with GTR (5 trials), GTR showed a statistically significant increase of REC (0.4 mm) and significantly more postoperative complications. No trials were found comparing EMD with BG.

Reviewers' conclusions

One year after its application, EMD significantly improved PAL levels (1.2 mm) and PPD reduction (0.8 mm) when compared to a placebo or control, however, the high degree of heterogeneity observed among trials suggests that results have to be interpreted with great caution. In addition, a sensitivity analysis indicated that the overall treatment effect might be overestimated. The actual clinical advantages of using EMD are unknown. With the exception of significantly more postoperative complications in the GTR group, there was no evidence of clinically important differences between GTR and EMD.

Abstract

INTERVENTIONS FOR REPLACING MISSING TEETH: DENTAL IMPLANTS IN ZYGOMATIC BONE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE SEVERELY DEFICIENT EDENTULOUS MAXILLA (Cochrane Review). In: THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS, ISSUE 4, 2005.Esposito M, Worthington HV, Coulthard P

Background

Dental implants are used for replacing missing teeth. Placing dental implants is limited by the presence of adequate bone volume permitting their anchorage. Several bone-augmentation procedures have been developed to solve this problem. Zygomatic implants are long screw-shaped implants developed as a partial or complete alternative to bone augmentation procedures for the severely atrophic maxilla. One to 3 zygomatic implants can be inserted through the posterior alveolar crest and maxillary sinus to engage the body of the zygomatic bone. A couple of conventional dental implants are also needed in the frontal region of the maxilla to stabilize the prosthesis. The potential main advantages of zygomatic implants could be that in some situations bone grafting may not be needed and a fixed denture could be fitted sooner. Another specific indication for using zygomatic implants could be the need for maxillary reconstruction after maxillectomy in cancer patients.

Objectives

The objective was to test the hypothesis of no difference in outcomes between zygomatic implants with and without bone-augmenting procedures in comparison with conventional dental implants in augmented bone for severely resorbed maxillae.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trial Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and EMBASE. We hand searched several dental journals. No language restrictions were applied. Personal contacts and all known zygomatic implant manufacturers were contacted to identify unpublished trials. The most recent search was May 2005.

Selection criteria

Studies selected were randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that included patients with severely resorbed maxillae who could not be rehabilitated with conventional dental implants and were treated with zygomatic implants with and without bone grafts versus patients treated with conventional dental implants in conjunction with bone-augmentation procedures having a follow-up of at least 1 year. Outcome measures considered were prosthesis and implant failures, side effects, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness.

Data collection & analysis

Screening of eligible studies, assessment of the methodological quality of trials, and data extraction were to be conducted in duplicate and independently by 2 authors. Results were to be expressed as random-effects models using weighted mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratio for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was to be investigated including both clinical and methodological factors.

Main results

No RCTs or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were identified.

Reviewers' conclusions

There is the need for RCTs in this area to assess whether zygomatic implants offer some advantages over alternative bone-augmentation techniques for treating atrophic maxillae.     

Value assignment of the WHO 2nd International Standard von Willebrand factor,concentrate (09/182)

To cite this article: Hubbard AR, Hamill M, Beeharry M, Bevan SA, Heath AB, on behalf of the SSC sub‐committee on von Willebrand factor of ISTH. Value assignment of the WHO 2nd International Standard von Willebrand factor, concentrate (09/182). J Thromb Haemost 2011; 9 : 1638–40.DOI: 10.1111/j.1538‐7836.2011.04365.x .     

Outpatient treatment in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: the Hestia Study

Summary. Background: Traditionally, patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) are initially treated in the hospital with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The results of a few small non‐randomized studies suggest that, in selected patients with proven PE, outpatient treatment is potentially feasible and safe. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of outpatient treatment according to predefined criteria in patients with acute PE. Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients with objectively proven acute PE was conducted in 12 hospitals in The Netherlands between 2008 and 2010. Patients with acute PE were triaged with the predefined criteria for eligibility for outpatient treatment, with LMWH (nadroparin) followed by vitamin K antagonists. All patients eligible for outpatient treatment were sent home either immediately or within 24 h after PE was objectively diagnosed. Outpatient treatment was evaluated with respect to recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), including PE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), major hemorrhage and total mortality during 3 months of follow‐up. Results: Of 297 included patients, who all completed the follow‐up, six (2.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–4.3) had recurrent VTE (five PE [1.7%] and one DVT [0.3%]). Three patients (1.0%, 95% CI 0.2–2.9) died during the 3 months of follow‐up, none of fatal PE. Two patients had a major bleeding event, one of which was fatal intracranial bleeding (0.7%, 95% CI 0.08–2.4). Conclusion: Patients with PE selected for outpatient treatment with predefined criteria can be treated with anticoagulants on an outpatient basis. (Dutch Trial Register No 1319; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/index.asp ).