Registry of pregnancy in dialysis patients

A total of 2,299 dialysis units listed by the Health Care Finance Administration were surveyed to determine the frequency and course of pregnancies in dialysis patients. The responses included 930 units caring for 6,230 females aged 14 to 44 years (1,699 receiving peritoneal dialysis and 4,531 receiving hemodialysis). Two percent of the female patients of childbearing age became pregnant over a 4-year period (2.4% of the hemodialysis patients and 1.1% of the peritoneal dialysis patients). The infant survival rate was 40.2% in the 184 pregnancies in women who conceived after starting dialysis and 73.6% in the 57 pregnancies in women who started dialysis after conception. In the subset of women in whom dialysis modality was known, infant survival was not significantly different between the hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients (39.5% v 37%). There was a trend toward better infant survival in women who received dialysis > or = 20 hours per week and a weak correlation between number of hours of dialysis and gestational age (P = 0.05). Maternal complications included two maternal deaths and five intensive care unit admissions for hypertensive crisis. Seventy-nine percent of women had some degree of hypertension, and 32 had blood pressure higher than 170/110 mm Hg. Only 5.9% of women had a hematocrit greater than 30% throughout pregnancy. Twenty-six percent of women treated with erythropoietin (EPO) and 77% of women not receiving EPO required transfusions. Eleven infants had congenital anomalies and 11 had long-term medical problems. Eighty-four percent of infants born to women who conceived after starting dialysis were premature. The likelihood of a surviving infant resulting from pregnancy in dialysis patients is higher than previously observed. There is no preferred dialysis modality. There is a suggestion that increased dialysis time may improve outcome. Prematurity remains a major cause of morbidity and likely contributes to a high frequency of long-term medical problems in surviving infants.     

Perinatal and infant outcome of pregnant patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis

Recently, perinatal outcome in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis has been improved. But the conditions that will most likely result in successful pregnancy are still obscure. We retrospectively analyzed 15 pregnant patients who were undergoing chronic hemodialysis before pregnancy treated in our perinatal center. We divided these 15 cases into 2 groups: one group of 11 patients whose infants survived and the other group of 4 patients whose infants died 6 h to 8 months after birth due to prematurity. The rate of successful pregnancies having a surviving infant was 73.3% (11/15). We compared the maternal conditions and the progress of pregnancy in the 2 groups. Significant differences (p<0.01) were seen as follows. The patients in the group whose infants survived underwent hemodialysis for a shorter term before pregnancy (1-6 years), most of them (9/11) could produce urine (> or =50 ml/day), and the period of gestation was extended (33.3+/-4.7 weeks), so the infants were heavier (1,782.9+/-678.3 g). All the patients who underwent more than 9 years of hemodialysis could not have a surviving infant. From this we can assume that the shorter the period of dialysis before pregnancy, the better the condition is that is likely to result in women giving birth and the better is their infant's chance of survival.     

Pregnancy in patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Both conception and successful completion of pregnancy are rare occurrences in female patients on chronic renal replacement therapy. Only a handful of successful pregnancies and deliveries have been reported in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). Even less common are reports of successful pregnancy and delivery in patients receiving chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Among the more common causes of fetal loss are abruptio placentae and other causes of spontaneous miscarriage. We report here three cases of pregnancy in patients on CAPD; two of these pregnancies progressed successfully to spontaneous delivery, while the third terminated during an episode of acute peritonitis. Furthermore, we have reviewed the literature concerning the outcome of pregnancy in the dialysis population on CAPD.     

Maternal hemodynamics and pregnancy outcome in women with prior orthotopic liver transplantation

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamics and pregnancy outcome of women with prior orthotopic liver transplantation. Hemodynamic measurements by Doppler technique were performed on pregnant subjects with prior orthotopic liver transplantation. Maternal characteristics, renal function, pregnancy complications, delivery indications, delivery mode, and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Six pregnancies occurred in 5 women after orthotopic liver transplantation at the University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle, WA) between 1991 and 1999. Four of the 6 pregnancies were complicated by chronic hypertension, fetal growth restriction, and preterm delivery. Two pregnancies had worsening hypertension characterized by vasoconstriction in the second trimester despite antihypertensive therapy. These 2 subjects were administered cyclosporine for maintenance immunosuppression and had greater mean arterial pressures preconception and in the first trimester than the other subjects. One of these pregnancies resulted in fetal demise at 25 weeks' gestation. The other subject was delivered at 28 weeks' gestation for nonreassuring fetal status and superimposed preeclampsia. All pregnancies were complicated by renal insufficiency; however, the 2 subjects with poor obstetric outcome had preconception serum creatinine levels greater than 1.5 mg/dL and creatinine clearances less than 40 mL/min. Pregnancies complicated by second-trimester vasoconstriction and moderate renal insufficiency are at risk for preeclamspia, fetal growth restriction, and fetal demise. Good obstetric outcome can occur in women with mild renal insufficiency and well-controlled chronic hypertension. Improved hypertensive control preconception may decrease the risk for preeclampsia and poor obstetric outcome.     

Pregnancy in women receiving renal dialysis or transplantation in Japan: a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: Since a report on the first successful pregnancy of a woman on long-term haemodialysis in Japan in 1977, there has been a growing number of case reports on successful pregnancy in patients on dialysis. We undertook a nationwide survey on pregnancy in women on renal replacement therapy in 1996. METHODS: A preliminary questionaire was sent to 2504 dialysis units and 143 renal transplant units in Japan. For each reported pregnancy, a more detailed questionaire was sent to collect nephrological, obstetric and neonatal information. RESULTS: There were 172 pregnancies (0.44%) reported in 38889 women on dialysis, with 90 successful pregnancies (0.23%), and 194 pregnancies reported in 852 female renal transplant recipients. Detailed pregnancy information was collected from 74 women on dialysis and 194 renal transplant recipients. Of the 74 pregnancies in the women on dialysis, 36 (48.6%) resulted in surviving infants, nine (12.2%) in neonatal death, nine (12.2%) spontaneous abortions and 14 (18.9% elective abortions were reported. The outcome of six pregnancies (8.1%) was unknown. Of 194 pregnancies in renal transplant recipients, 159 (82.0%) resulted in surviving infants, two (1.4%) in neonatal death and 28 (14.4%) in spontaneous or elective abortion. In five cases the pregnancy outcome was not reported. No congenital anomalies were reported, except two infants with mental retardation and one with epilepsy. CONCLUSION: The current survey revealed that the rate of successful pregnancy in women on dialysis has improved. More than half of the pregnancies resulted in infant survival. But, premature birth is a major problem for the children of women on dialysis and there is a higher rate of neonatal death. There are significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, frequency and severity of prematurity and rates of neonatal death between pregnancies of women undergoing dialysis and those who are renal transplant recipients.     

Maternal and fetal outcomes of spontaneous preterm premature rupture of membranes

The authors retrospectively evaluated maternal and fetal outcomes of 73 consecutive singleton pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of amniotic membranes. When preterm labor occurred and fetuses were at a viable gestational age, pregnant patients were managed aggressively with tocolytic therapy, antenatal corticosteroid injections, and antenatal fetal testing. The mean gestational age at the onset of membrane rupture and delivery was 22.1 weeks and 23.8 weeks, respectively. The latency from membrane rupture to delivery ranged from 0 to 83 days with a mean of 8.6 days. Among the 73 pregnant patients, there were 22 (30.1%) stillbirths and 13 (17.8%) neonatal deaths, resulting in a perinatal death rate of 47.9%. The perinatal survival rate based on gestational age at the onset of fetal membrane rupture was 12.1% at less than 23 weeks of gestation, 60% at 23 weeks, and 100% at 24 to 26 weeks. Maternal morbidity was minimal with puerperal endomyometritis in 5 (6.8%) cases, one of which became septic; however, there was no long-term sequela. Eight (15.7%) liveborn infants had pulmonary hypoplasia, 5 (62.5%) of which resulted in neonatal death. In 33 (45.2%) patients, amniotic membranes ruptured before 23 weeks of gestation. At previable gestational age, the risk of neonatal pulmonary hypoplasia appears to be primarily dependent on gestational age at the onset of premature rupture of membrane rather than gestational age at delivery. Pregnancy outcomes remain dismal when the fetal membrane ruptures before 23 weeks of gestation.     

选择性减胎可以明显改善多胎妊娠的临床妊娠结局

目的回顾性分析在本中心行IVF-ET获临床妊娠患者的妊娠结局,结合选择性减胎术(MFPR)患者的手术情况及妊娠结局,分析选择性减胎术的有效性和必要性。方法对本中心2008年4月至2016年4月共2 923例通过IVF-ET获得临床妊娠的患者进行跟踪随访,了解其孕期情况、分娩方式及新生儿健康状况等;同时对同期在本中心行MFPR的患者共130例随访,包括术后4周流产、晚期流产及早产等情况。MFPR患者来源包括行辅助生殖技术(ART)助孕获得的多胎妊娠以及单纯使用促排卵药物导致的多胎妊娠。结果 (1)IVF-ET患者的临床妊娠率51.52%,其中双胎妊娠率26.03%,三胎及以上妊娠率1.23%;双胎妊娠组晚期流产率和早产率均显著高于单胎妊娠组(P<0.001),且妊娠期贫血、妊高征、糖尿病和低出生体重儿的发生率均显著高于单胎妊娠组(P<0.001)。(2)130例MFPR患者中85.71%的四胎及以上妊娠由单纯使用促排卵药物导致;减胎时平均妊娠天数60.55d(49~126d),术后4周流产率为3.10%且全部发生于术后一周内,晚期流产率7.41%,早产率1.85%。(3)MFPR后低出生体重儿发生率显著低于IVF双胎妊娠未减胎组(P<0.001);IVF双胎妊娠经MFPR后早产率显著低于双胎妊娠未减胎组(P<0.001);IVF三胎妊娠经MFPR后无论减为双胎妊娠还是减为单胎妊娠,早产率均显著低于双胎妊娠未减胎组(P<0.05)。结论双胎妊娠的不良妊娠结局增加;四胎及以上多胎妊娠的主要原因是单纯促排卵药物的使用;MFPR可以降低多胎妊娠的早产率和低体重儿的发生率,改善因辅助生殖技术及促排卵药物导致的多胎妊娠的临床妊娠结局,作为助孕并发症的补救措施是行之有效的,也是非常有必要的。     

In‐Center Nocturnal Hemodialysis

Dialysis intensification from conventional regimens (typically thrice weekly, 4 hours per session) is increasingly utilized with the intent of improving the cardiovascular health and quality of life of chronic dialysis recipients. While home nocturnal hemodialysis offers the opportunity for maximal intensification of dialysis, it is inaccessible to the majority of dialysis recipients who are unable to self‐administer hemodialysis in their own homes. In‐center nocturnal hemodialysis (INHD) permits the intensification of conventional hemodialysis with the benefits of nursing support and supervision in addition to freedom from dialysis during productive daytime hours. Although no randomized trials have evaluated the relative merits of INHD, preliminary data indicate that INHD is a viable option that may confer a variety of benefits for chronic dialysis recipients.     

Diamine oxidase activity in plasma and urine in uremia.

Diamine oxidase activity was measured in plasma or urine in 12 normal men, 4 men with chronic liver or heart disease, 13 men with chronic renal failure, and 12 men undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Also in five studies in 4 patients, plasma diamine oxidase activity and total amine levels were measured at hourly intervals during a hemodialysis treatment. Plasma diamine oxidase activity was normal in patients with liver or heart disease and was at least three times normal in chronically uremic patients and in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Plasma diamine oxidase activities before and after a hemodialysis therapy were similar and did not change during dialysis until the 4th hour when they fell transiently; plasma total amine levels, which were elevated initially, tended to rise during the 4th hour of dialysis. Urinary diamine oxidase activity was reduced in the chronically uremic patients as compared to normal subjects. These observations are consistent with three alterations in diamine oxidase in patients with renal failure: activity (a) is increased in plasma of chronically uremic patients and those undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, (b) does not increase normally in response to heparin administration during dialysis therapy, and (c) is reduced in urine of chronically uremic patients.     

Characteristics and Outcomes of AKI Treated with Dialysis during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rare complication of pregnancy, but may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in young and often otherwise healthy women. We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study of all consecutive pregnancies over a 15-year period (1997–2011) in Ontario, Canada, and describe the incidence and outcomes of AKI treated with dialysis during pregnancy or within 12 weeks of delivery. Of 1,918,789 pregnancies, 188 were complicated by AKI treated with dialysis (incidence: 1 per 10,000 [95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 1.1]). Only 21 of 188 (11.2%) women had record of a preexisting medical condition; however, 130 (69.2%) women experienced a major pregnancy-related complication, including preeclampsia, thrombotic microangiopathy, heart failure, sepsis, or postpartum hemorrhage. Eight women died (4.3% versus 0.01% in the general population), and seven (3.9%) women remained dialysis dependent 4 months after delivery. Low birth weight (<2500 g), small for gestational age, or preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) were more common in pregnancies in which dialysis was initiated (35.6% versus 14.0%; relative risk, 3.40; 95% confidence interval, 2.52 to 4.58). There were no stillbirths and fewer than five neonatal deaths (<2.7%) in affected pregnancies compared with 0.1% and 0.8%, respectively, in the general population. In conclusion, AKI treated with dialysis during pregnancy is rare and typically occurs in healthy women who acquire a major pregnancy-related medical condition such as preeclampsia. Many affected women and their babies have good short-term outcomes.     

Incremental Hemodialysis: The University of California Irvine Experience

Incremental hemodialysis has been examined as a viable hemodialysis regimen for selected end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Preservation of residual kidney function (RKF) has been the driving impetus for this approach given its benefits upon the survival and quality of life of dialysis patients. While clinical practice guidelines recommend an incremental start of dialysis in peritoneal dialysis patients with substantial RKF, there remains little guidance with respect to incremental hemodialysis as an initial renal replacement therapy regimen. Indeed, several large population‐based studies suggest that incremental twice‐weekly vs. conventional thrice‐weekly hemodialysis has favorable impact upon RKF trajectory and survival among patients with adequate renal urea clearance and/or urine output. In this report, we describe a case series of 13 ambulatory incident ESRD patients enrolled in a university‐based center's Incremental Hemodialysis Program over the period of January 2015 to August 2016 and followed through December 2016. Among five patients who maintained a twice‐weekly hemodialysis schedule vs. eight patients who transitioned to thrice‐weekly hemodialysis, we describe and compare patients’ longitudinal case‐mix, laboratory, and dialysis treatment characteristics over time. The University of California Irvine Experience is the first systemically examined twice‐weekly hemodialysis practice in North America. While future studies are needed to refine the optimal approaches and the ideal patient population for implementation of incremental hemodialysis, our case‐series serves as a first report of this innovative management strategy among incident ESRD patients with substantial RKF, and a template for implementation of this regimen.     

The effect of intradialytic combined exercise on hemodialysis efficiency in end-stage renal disease patients: a randomized-controlled trial

Purpose

Insufficient dialysis is a difficult problem for patients undergoing hemodialysis, and causes cardiovascular complications and increases mortality. Increasing aerobic exercise and resistance exercise have been shown to be beneficial to physical fitness of patients undergoing hemodialysis, but a few studies have focused on combined exercise (combination of aerobic and resistance exercise training) and the interaction effect of combined exercise and intervention duration on hemodialysis efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 24-week combined exercise on hemodialysis efficiency, blood pressure, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

In total, 47 eligible subjects were randomly allocated to exercise group and control group. The intervention group performed a 24-week, three times weekly, and moderate-intensity intradialytic combined exercise. Patients in the control group received usual care. The primary outcome was hemodialysis efficiency, which recorded every 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure, exercise capacity, and quality of life, measured at baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention.

Results

In intervention group, sp Kt/V significantly improved by 13.2%, and systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased by 8.5 mmHg and 6.5 mmHg, respectively. The 6-min walking distance increased significantly by 43 m (9.8%), but there was no significant change in quality of life.

Conclusion

Combined exercise and intervention duration had an interaction effect on hemodialysis efficiency. Combined exercise improved blood pressure and physical fitness for patients undergoing hemodialysis, but did not affect quality of life. The extensive benefits of combined exercise provide evidence for the exercise development for patients undergoing hemodialysis.

     

The Choice of Dialysate Sodium is Influenced by Hemodialysis Frequency and Duration: What Should It Be and For What Modality?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. A chronic state of volume and pressure overload contributes, and central to this is the net sodium balance over the course of a hemodialysis. Of recent interest is the contribution of the dialysate sodium concentration (Dial‐Na+) to clinical outcomes. Abundant evidence confirms that in thrice‐weekly conventional hemodialysis, higher Dial‐Na+ associates with increased intradialytic weight gain, blood pressure, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, low Dial‐Na+ associates with intradialytic hypotension in the same patient population. However, the effect of Dial‐Na+ in short hours daily hemodialysis (SHD; often referred to as “quotidian” dialysis), or nocturnal dialysis (FHND) is less well studied. Increased frequency and duration of exposure to a diffusive sodium gradient modulate the way in which DPNa+ alters interdialytic weight gain, predialysis blood pressure, and intradialytic change in blood pressure. Furthermore, increased dialysis frequency appears to decrease the predialysis plasma sodium setpoint (SP), which is considered stable in conventional thrice‐weekly patients. This review discusses criteria to determine optimal Dial‐Na+ in conventional, SHD and FHND patients, and identifies areas for future research.     

Parturition in Six Renal Allograft Recipients

Between 1983 and 1994, we studied renal function and neonatal conditions for eight pregnancies and births to six women who had received renal transplants in order to assess the effect of an allograft on pregnancy and its outcome. The gestation period was 34 to 39 weeks (mean 36 weeks and 4 days), and four pregnancies ended before term. All eight babies were delivered by cesarean section. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was found in both babies of one woman who had been treated with conventional (without cyclosporin) immunosuppression. The serum creatinine level did not change during gestation in any of the women but was elevated after delivery in four. Four mothers suffered from proteinuria (25–364 mg/dl) during gestation, but the proteinuria disappeared after delivery in all but one case. The one exception, persistent proteinuria of 100–200 mg/dl, was assumed to result from the recurrence of the original renal disease (IgA nephropathy). The reduction of creatinine clearance and hydronephrosis of one graft noted during gestation were later reversed. None of the eight babies (four females and four males) was congenitally malformed, and their Apgar scores were 6 to 9 (median 8). They are now 3 months to 11 years old, and seven of them are healthy and show good growth. One of the two IUGR babies has not grown well; her weight and height are more than 1 SD below the mean for her age, and she is mentally retarded and suffers from muscle weakness. Compared with dialysis patients, female renal allograft recipients have a better quality of life because they can safely deliver a child if they observe the criteria for pregnancy established for renal allograft recipients.     

Elevated plasma glycocalicin levels and decreased ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination in hemodialysis patients

A bleeding diathesis caused by platelet dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with uremia. Platelet adhesion to vascular subendothelium is defective in uremia and depends on the interactions of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX complex with the vascular wall. We measured levels of platelet surface GPIb, platelet surface GPIX, plasma glycocalicin (a product of enzymatic cleavage of GPIb), and ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination (RIPA) in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis compared with patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and healthy controls. Patients undergoing chronic maintenance hemodialysis have higher levels of platelet surface expression of GPIb (187+/-10 fluorescent units; P < 0.001) than either healthy controls (120+/-4 fluorescent units; P < 0.001) or patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (127+/-5 fluorescent units; P < 0.001). Similar changes were observed in platelet surface GPIX. Plasma glycocalicin levels were elevated in chronic hemodialysis patients (71+/-5 nmol/L) compared with healthy controls (36+/-3 nmol/L; P < 0.001). Plasma glycocalicin levels also increased progressively throughout the hemodialysis procedure. The slope of RIPA was significantly lower in chronic hemodialysis patients (46+/-3) than in either healthy controls (67+/-4; P < 0.05) or peritoneal dialysis patients (62+/-2; P < 0.05). In conclusion, patients undergoing chronic maintenance hemodialysis have increased plasma glycocalicin levels and decreased RIPA, which may contribute to diminished platelet adhesion to vascular subendothelium and increased bleeding associated with uremia.     

There's no place like home: 35‐year patient survival on home hemodialysis

The vast majority of maintenance dialysis patients suffer from poor long‐term survival rates and lower levels of health‐related quality of life. However, home hemodialysis is a historically significant dialysis modality that has been associated with favorable outcomes as well as greater patient autonomy and control, yet only represents a small minority of the total dialysis performed in the United States. Some potential disadvantages of home hemodialysis include vascular access complications, infection‐related hospitalizations, patient fatigue, and attrition. In addition, current barriers and challenges in expanding the utilization of this modality include limited patient and provider education and technical expertise. Here we report a 65‐year old male with end‐stage renal disease due to Alport's syndrome who has undergone 35 years of uninterrupted thrice‐weekly home hemodialysis (ie, every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening, each session lasting 3 to 3¼ hours in length) using a conventional hemodialysis machine who has maintained a high functional status allowing him to work 6‐8 hours per day. The patient has been able to liberalize his dietary and fluid intake while only requiring 3‐4 liters of ultrafiltration per treatment, despite having absence of residual kidney function. Through this case of extraordinary longevity and outcomes after 35 years of dialysis and a review of the literature, we illustrate the history of home hemodialysis, its significant clinical and psychosocial advantages, as well as the barriers that hinder its widespread adaptation.     

Cardiac biomarkers are influenced by dialysis characteristics

INTRODUCTION: The cardiac biomarkers cardiac Troponin T (cTNT) and NT-proBNP tend to be elevated in nearly all hemodialysis patients. The high percentage and magnitude of these increased molecules is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study investigates the impact of the dialysis procedure itself on cardiac biomarkers. METHODS: Standard chronic hemodialysis lasting 4-5 hs 3 times weekly and using polysulfone dialyzers (high-flux and low-flux) was performed. Blood flow rates varied between 250-350 ml/min. The cTNT levels of 49 chronic hemodialysis patients were measured twice (interval of 6 weeks) before and after a hemodialysis session by a third-generation assay (Elecsys Analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). NT-proBNP levels were measured with polyclonal antibodies capable of recognizing the N-terminal fragment of BNP. In a follow-up period of 42 months, cardiovascular events and death were assessed. RESULTS: The median concentration of cTNT prior to hemodialysis was 0.024 ng/ml (< 0.001-0.703). All dialysis patients presented high plasma levels of NT-proBNP (median 4,885 pg/ml). Oligoanuric patients had significantly higher cTNT and NT-proBNP levels prior to dialysis compared to patients with normal diuresis (p < 0.0001). cTNT and NT-proBNP levels increased significantly during the hemodialysis sessions in which a low-flux dialyzer was used (p < 0.0001) but remained unchanged when a high-flux dialyzer was utilized. Neither the predialytic nor the interdialytic changes in cTNT and NT-proBNP levels were influenced by blood flow. NT-proBNP levels increased markedly during hemodialysis sessions (p < 0.005) utilizing the low-flux dialyzer. Patients with a non-native fistula had significantly higher predialysis cTNT and NT-proBNP levels (p < 0.05). Patients with cardiovascular events had a significantly higher cTNT and NT-proBNP at the beginning of the study. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic chronic hemodialysis patients have significantly higher levels of the cardiac biomarkers cTNT and NT-proBNP relative to the general population. The levels are associated with the time of measurement (before and after a hemodialysis session). Dialysis modalities like high-flux dialyzers influence cTNT and NT-proBNP levels and should be taken into account, particularly in patients with acute onset of cardiac ischemia. The elevation of cTNT and NT-proBNP levels after hemodialysis using a low-flux dialyzer are partly due to hemoconcentration. The significant association of cTNT and NT-proBNP with non-native fistulas (catheter or graft) may be due to the chronic inflammation commonly caused by these devices. Both cardiac biomarkers are of prognostic value determining cardiovascular events and death.     

Pregnancy in women with chronic renal disease: a 14-year study.

Between 1975 and 1988 authors encountered 44 pregnancies in 26 women who had had chronic renal disease and unimpaired renal function before the conception. Complications during pregnancy and the outcome of pregnancy were studied. There were 5 spontaneous abortions between the 11th and 20th weeks of gestation, 1 therapeutic abortion, 3 still births at weeks 28, 32 and 33, 6 neonatal deaths at age of 26 to 35 weeks, 11 preterm newborns, 35 live births, 9 infants with intrauterine growth retardation including 4 preterm newborns and 1 fetal malformation and 2 cases with premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The pregnancies were complicated with anaemia in 23 cases, with urinary tract infection in 19, with hypertension in 16, with proteinuria in 12 and with edema in 11 cases. Increase in the serum creatinine value during pregnancy was found in 6 cases. These data indicate that the pregnancy in patients with chronic renal disease who had normal renal function before the planned conception, is accompanied with increased risk for both the mother and child.