We Use Kt/V Urea as a Measure of Adequacy of Peritoneal Dialysis

In the early days of chronic dialysis therapy, there was recognition that patients on continuous peritoneal dialysis enjoyed improvement in symptoms and signs of kidney failure similar to those receiving hemodialysis, despite slower removal rates of small solutes such as urea and creatinine. It was suggested that removal of toxic middle molecular weight solutes by the peritoneal membrane compensated for this difference. The publication of the National Cooperative Dialysis Study then focused attention on urea clearance as a significant predictor of hospitalization in hemodialysis patients. The peritoneal dialysis community made a mistake in adopting urea kinetics to the peritoneal dialysis process, while ignoring the benefits incumbent in continuous dialysis therapy and middle molecular weight solute removal. Sadly, to this day, despite the publication of many studies that have been unable to find an association between peritoneal small solute kinetics and outcome, Kt/V urea is employed as a marker of adequacy in these patients.     

Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: A call to sustain the action

This paper updates a previous ‘Call to Action’ paper (Nephrology 2011; 16: 19–29) that reviewed key outcome data for Australian and New Zealand peritoneal dialysis patients and made recommendations to improve care. Since its publication, peritonitis rates have improved significantly, although they have plateaued more recently. Peritoneal dialysis patient and technique survival in Australian and New Zealand have also improved, with a reduction in the proportion of technique failures attributed to ‘social reasons’. Despite these improvements, technique survival rates overall remain lower than in many other parts of the world. This update includes additional practical recommendations based on published evidence and emerging initiatives to further improve outcomes.     

Rothia dentocariosa Repeat and Relapsing Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Peritonitis is well recognized as the Achilles tendon of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Reoccurrence of peritonitis due to the same organism, defined as either repeat or relapsing peritonitis under the 2005 guidelines by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, often results in PD technique failure. Rothia dentocariosa, a low-virulent human oropharynx commensal, is a rarely reported pathogen in human infection, particularly infective endocarditis. R. dentocariosa PD-related peritonitis is exceedingly uncommon yet potentially results in repeat or relapsing peritonitis which requires catheter removal. We report a case of R. dentocariosa repeat and relapsing peritonitis in a PD patient who was treated successfully with antimicrobial therapy.     

Protein losses in children on continuous cycler peritoneal dialysis

. Peritoneal dialysis can result in significant protein losses through the dialysate effluent. Although protein loss in chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis has been examined, it has not been extensively studied in patients on continuous cycler peritoneal dialysis. Such losses can contribute to protein calorie malnutrition, especially in infants and children, many of whom are on continuous cycler peritoneal dialysis. We measured protein loss during continuous cycler peritoneal dialysis in patients ranging in age from 2 months to 18 years. There was an inverse correlation between body surface area and peritoneal protein loss, expressed both as milligrams of protein per kilogram body weight per day (P<0.000l) and as milligrams of protein per meter square body surface area per day (P<0.05). Peritoneal fluid protein losses in patients greater than 50 kg were similiar to those previously reported in adults treated with chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. In contrast, infants had nearly twofold greater peritoneal protein losses per meter square body surface area than older children weighing more than 50 kg. Such protein losses in infants impair normal growth and may contribute to permanent loss of growth potential. Infants on peritoneal dialysis require early and aggressive nutritional supplementation with higher caloric and protein intake to compensate for such dialysate protein losses and maximize growth. Received August 21, 1995; received in revised form March 18, 1996; accepted April 8, 1996     

浅谈腹膜透析患者的血压管理

腹膜透析患者的高血压患病率达80%以上,难治性高血压导致卒中、心血管事件发病率不断增加,是患者死亡和退出腹膜透析的主要原因。2015年国际腹膜透析协会(ISPD)关于成人腹膜透析患者心血管和代谢指南指出,持续腹膜透析患者目标血压应<140/90 mmHg,并与年龄无关。腹膜透析患者血压控制不佳的影响因素纷繁复杂,但常见原因是容量超负荷和残肾功能减退。腹膜透析患者高血压防治策略包括容量负荷的准确评估与干预、残余肾功能的有效保护、透析处方的及时调整,降压药物的正确选择以及以病人为中心的团队管理等五个方面。     

The effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on the cytokines and peritoneal function in rats with peritoneal fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Due to the long-term and chronic exposure to the peritoneal dialysis fluid, patients could develop peritoneal fibrosis and ultrafiltration failure which compromises treatment efficacy and outcome, and fibrosis is the major cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) withdraw among patients. Methods: Twenty-one male WISTAR rats were randomly assigned to three groups, namely saline group, standard peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) group, and panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) group. Peritoneal fibrosis was induced by daily injection of PDF for 4 weeks. After execution, multiple histological techniques including HE and Masson's trichrome staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to observe the pathological changes and concentrations of multiple cytokines may involve in the process of fibrosis were determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Biochemistry parameters were determined by automated chemistry analyzer. Results: PNS can significantly inhibit the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) in the peritoneum of rats. Furthermore, pathological damages, including extracellular matrix deposition, vascularization, and fibroblast, were ameliorated in PNS group when being compared with standard PDF group. Peritoneal functions were improved by regular PNS treatment with significantly elevated ultrafiltration. Conclusion: PNS is capable of improving peritoneal function in subjects with PDF exposure and can possibly applied in patients with PD after further verification.     

Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: a call to action

Peritoneal dialysis technique survival in Australia and New Zealand is lower than in other parts of the world. More than two-thirds of technique failures are related to infective complications (predominantly peritonitis) and 'social reasons'. Practice patterns vary widely and more than one-third of peritoneal dialysis units do not meet the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis minimum accepted peritonitis rate. In many cases, poor peritonitis outcomes reflect significant deviations from international guidelines. In this paper we propose a series of practical recommendations to improve outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients through appropriate patient selection, prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications, investigation of social causes of technique failure and a greater focus on patient education and clinical governance.     

Technique for Implantation of the Toronto-Western Catheter at the Booth Memorial Medical Center

The proper placement of the chronic peritoneal dialysis catheter is pivital to the early, as well as continued success of dialysis therapy with Continued Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis. We describe our current technique for the implantation of the Toronto-Western catheter. The success of any particular technique is dependent upon the incidence of complications. The latter is described elsewhere in this symposium.     

Therapeutic camping for children with end-stage renal disease

Therapeutic camping experiences for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have proliferated in the United States and abroad. This report is based on the results of a survey designed to accumulate data on the development and implementation of 20 such camps. Children attending camp ranged in age from 1 year to 19 years. Single disease-specific camps were most common, while camps for children with a variety of chronic illnesses, including ESRD, and mainstream camps were also conducted. Facilities were available for hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, but not automated peritoneal dialysis, in the majority of surveryed camps. Dialysis nurses, pediatric nephrologists, dietitians and social workers were the medical personnel that most frequently participated in the camps. On average, 32 dialysis/transplant patient campers (range 6–100) attended camp for a 1-week session. Therapeutic camping experiences for children with ESRD are extremely successful and attempts to increase the availability of similar camps should be encouraged.Presented in part at the 13th Annual Conference on Peritoneal Dialysis, 7–9 March 1993, San Diego, California, USA.     

Comparing long-term outcomes between early and delayed initiation of peritoneal dialysis following catheter implantation

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare peritonitis rates, peritoneal dialysis technique survival and patient survival between patients who started peritoneal dialysis earlier than 14 days (early starters) and 14 days or more (delayed starters) after insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter. Methods: Observational analysis was performed for all patients who underwent insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2012. The patients were divided into two groups: early and delayed starters. The rate and outcomes of peritonitis were recorded. Peritoneal dialysis technique survival and patient survival were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed for peritoneal dialysis technique failure and patient mortality. Results: There were 80 early starters and 69 delayed starters. The peritonitis rate was 0.18 episodes per year in early starters and 0.13 episodes per year in delayed starters. There was no significant difference of peritonitis free survival (p?=?0.146), peritoneal dialysis technique survival (p?=?0.273) and patient survival (p?=?0.739) at 1, 3, 5 years between early starters and delayed starters. After adjustment with age, albumin and diabetes, early starters did not have an increased risk of peritonitis, technique failure and mortality compared to delayed starters. Conclusion: Compared to the patients who started peritoneal dialysis 14 days or more after catheter implantation, the patients who started earlier did not have an increased risk of peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis technique failure and mortality.     

Charlson Co‐morbidity Index and albumin significantly associated with fracture risk in peritoneal dialysis patients

Published literature on fracture in dialysis patients seldom addressed the effect of co‐morbidity and malnutrition. In this study, we reported the incidence and risk factors for fracture in peritoneal dialysis patients. Peritoneal dialysis patients who had fractures between 2006 and 2011 were recruited. Demographic data, details of fracture, Charlson Co‐morbidity Index (CCI) and biochemical parameters were also collected. Non‐fracture controls, matched for age, gender and duration of dialysis, were also recruited at ratio 1:1 for fracture risk analysis. The incidence of fracture was 1 in 37 patient‐years. The commonest site of fracture was neck of femur (n = 16, 55.2%). Twenty‐four patients (82.8%) developed fracture after slip and fall injury. Eight out of 17 self‐ambulatory patients (47.1%) became non‐ambulatory after fracture. Infection was the commonest complication during hospitalization. Univariant analysis demonstrated high CCI (P = 0.001), hypoalbuminaemia (P < 0.001), loss of self autonomy (P = 0.006) and non‐ambulatory state (P = 0.011) significantly associated with increased fracture risk. However, only CCI (odds ratio (OR) 1.373, P = 0.028) and albumin (OR 0.893, P = 0.025) increased fracture risk significantly on multivariant analysis. Bone profile and parathyroid hormone were not significant risk factors. To conclude, fracture associated with adverse outcome in peritoneal dialysis patients. High CCI score and hypoalbuminaemia significantly increase risk of fracture.     

Peritoneal dialysis for acute renal failure in children

Fifty infants and children with acute renal failure were treated with acute peritoneal dialysis between 1987 and 1990. The patients were dialyzed using either a catheter introduced percutaneously over a guide-wire (n=40) or a Tenckhoff catheter (n=10). The cause of the acute renal failure was primary renal disease in 17 children, cardiac disease in 19, and trauma/sepsis in 14. Peritoneal dialysis succeeded in controlling metabolic abnormalities, improving fluid balance, and relieving the complications of uremia. The procedure had few major complications. Overall mortality was 50%, reflecting the serious nature of the underlying diseases. We conclude that acute peritoneal dialysis is a safe and effective treatment in most pediatric patients with acute renal failure. Our series of patients treated with acute peritoneal dialysis serves as a basis of comparison for the evaluation of new modalities of therapy in childhood acute renal failure.     

Écologie bactérienne et mécanismes de résistance aux antibiotiques lors des infections du liquide de dialyse péritonéale

Peritonitis remains a common complication of peritoneal dialysis. The aim of our study is to describe the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated during peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis, to determine whether antibiotic therapy proposed by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) is adapted to the mechanisms of resistance. All causative microorganisms of peritonitis, isolated in 106 dialysis patients and reported 170 episodes of peritonitis, during the study period (01/01/2005 to 31/12/2010) were reviewed. According to the usual classification, twelve groups of microorganism were created. An interpretive reading of antibiograms was performed in each group to identify resistance phenotypes. The species most frequently isolated are coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 73) of which 46 had PBP2a (penicillin-binding protein). Many Enterobacteriaceae were also isolated (n = 45), they are susceptible to third generation cephalosporins with the exception of Enterobacteriaceae producing an extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or a cephalosporinase. Except for staphylococci, probabilistic antibiotic therapy recommended by the ISPD to treat peritonitis is effective. Indeed, many staphylococci producing a PBP2a, a first-generation cephalosporin cannot be administered in all cases. It is therefore necessary to identify patients with a strain of staphylococcus producing a PBP2a, it must be treated by vancomycin.     

Risk factor(s) related to high membrane permeability in peritoneal dialysis

Aim: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have different peritoneal membrane permeability (transport) characteristics. High peritoneal membrane permeability is associated with increased mortality risk in the patient population. In this study, we aimed to investigate possible risk factor(s) related to high peritoneal membrane permeability. Patients and method: The study included 475 PD patients (46.1?±?14.5 years of mean age; 198 female and 277 male). The patients were divided two groups according to peritoneal equilibration test (PET) result: high-permeability group (high and high-average) and low- permeability group (low-average and low). Results: In both the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, it was found that diabetes mellitus and hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with high peritoneal membrane permeability [relative risk (RR): 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–2.86, p: 0.002 and RR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.44–3.18, p<0.001, respectively]. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus and hypoalbuminemia were closely associated with high peritoneal membrane permeability. Diabetic patients had 1.9 times the likelihood of having high permeability. However, the relationship between hypoalbuminemia and high peritoneal permeability appears to be a result rather than cause.     

The Effect of Dialytic Modalities on Clinical Outcomes in ESRD Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Background. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease seen primarily in Sephardic Jews, Turks, and Armenians. The disease manifests as recurrent attacks of fever and serositis. The most important complication of FMF is the development of renal failure due to AA type amyloidosis. There has not been extensive experience with renal replacement therapy in FMF amyloidosis. Nevertheless, there may be a concern about the possibility of higher rates of morbidity and mortality in amyloidotic patients maintained on chronic hemodialysis. Moreover, there is not enough experience regarding patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis. As a result, the best treatment modality of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in these circumstances still remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effect of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis modalities on clinical outcomes in ESRD patients associated with FMF amyloidosis. Methods. Forty FMF patients with ESRD due to amyloidosis were retrospectively analyzed. All 40 patients were on renal replacement therapy, 20 on hemodialysis (HD), 20 on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal solute transport rates, weekly mean creatinine clearance, and daily mean ultrafiltration (UF) of the patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis were evaluated. Weekly dialysis durations, dialysis membrane properties, Kt/V values, interdialytic weight gains, and frequency of hypotension during dialysis were evaluated on hemodialysis patients. All of the patients were examined according to their demographic characteristics, laboratory results, duration time on dialysis, erythropoietin requirements, frequencies of infectious complications requiring hospitalization, and the two renal replacement modalities mentioned above were compared in terms of these parameters. Results. Serum albumin levels of the patients with FMF amyloidosis who were maintained on peritoneal dialysis treatment were lower (2.87 vs 3.45) and the frequency of infections of the same group was higher (4.2 vs 0.5) than the patients with ESRD secondary to other diseases in the CAPD group. Conclusions. This retrospective analysis showed that peritoneal dialysis may have some disadvantages in amyloidotic patients. Due to the high frequency of hypoalbuminemia and infectious complications seen in this group, peritoneal dialysis is widely accepted as an alternative choice of treatment when hemodialysis is not appropriate.     

Atherosclerotic Risk Factors Among Ankle-Brachial Index and Toe-Brachial Index in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background. Atherosclerotic vascular change affecting the lower extremities is the most common peripheral vascular disease. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI) are common, non-invasive diagnostic tests for atherosclerosis in the lower extremities. Peritoneum is a vascular-based structure. The use of glucose-based hyperosmolar solutions for PD patients results in a significant increase in blood glucose load and can be considered atherogenic. The association between ABI or TBI values and peritoneal function in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis remains unclear. We presumed that the risk factors for atherosclerosis in large and small vessels may differ. Methods. A total of 146 peritoneal dialysis patients, 41 males and 105 females (119 without diabetes and 27 with diabetes), received peritoneal dialysis for more than four months. Patients who had dialysis-related peritonitis within six months prior to this study were excluded. The ABI or TBI was determined using an automated, non-invasive, waveform analysis device. Results. The ABI value correlated positively with mean arterial pressure and TBI value. The TBI value correlated positively with ABI value and inversely with fasting serum glucose and serum total cholesterol concentrations. Peritoneal function was not correlated with ABI or TBI. Conclusion. This cross-sectional study demonstrated that risk factors in peritoneal dialysis patients for atherosclerosis in large vessels and small vessels differed. Interestingly, peritoneal function test is not associated with ABI or TBI value. However, further investigation of the association between ABI or TBI value and cardiovascular events is required for this patient group.     

Adequacy of peritoneal dialysis in children following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy can complicate cardiopulmonary bypass in children. Peritoneal dialysis has been shown to stabilize electrolytes and improve fluid status in these patients. To assess dialysis adequacy in this setting, we prospectively measured Kt/V and creatinine clearance in five patients (6–839 days of age) requiring renal replacement therapy at our institution. Median dialysis creatinine clearance was 74.25 L/week/1.73m² (range 28.28–96.63 L/week/1.73m²). Residual renal function provided additional solute clearance as total creatinine clearance was 215.97 L/week/1.73m² (range 108.04–323.25 L/week/1.73m²). Dialysis Kt/V of >2.1 (median 4.84 [range 2.12–5.59]) was achieved in all patients. No dialysis-associated complications were observed. We conclude that peritoneal dialysis is a safe, simple method of providing adequate clearance in children who develop acute renal failure following exposure to cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Predictors of survival in anuric peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Residual glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a much more important determinant of survival in peritoneal dialysis patients, than peritoneal solute clearances. However, anuric peritoneal dialysis patients are solely dependent on peritoneal solute clearances. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of peritoneal small solute clearances and ultrafiltration on survival in anuric patients, and to establish the minimum levels of small solute clearances and net ultrafiltration. These objectives were investigated in a prospective cohort study in incident peritoneal dialysis patients who had become anuric during follow-up. METHODS: The Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD) is a prospective multicenter cohort study in which new adult dialysis patients are included and followed during 6 months intervals. Included were 542 peritoneal dialysis patients. Of these, 166 developed anuria, 130 of which could be included in the study. RESULTS: Two-year patient survival after the outset of anuria was 67%, technique survival 73%, and the combined 2-year patient and technique survival was 50%. Risk factors associated with mortality were age, comorbidity, the duration of peritoneal dialysis before anuria, and a low serum albumin. Peritoneal solute clearances were analyzed time-dependently. These parameters were not associated with survival when analyzed as continuous variables and also not when the analyses were done in quintiles, although the time-dependent approach was almost significant for Kt/V(urea). On the other hand, when the results were analyzed dichotomously using predefined cutoff points, Kt/V(urea) <1.5 per week and creatinine clearance <40 L/week/1.73 m2 were associated with an increase in the relative risk of death. Also peritoneal ultrafiltration was significantly associated with survival. CONCLUSION: The survival of anuric peritoneal dialysis patients is in line with expectations based on the duration of dialysis. The risk factors for death are the same as in the dialysis population as a whole. Besides an association with ultrafiltration, our study enabled us to define the lower limits of adequate peritoneal dialysis, that is Kt/V(urea) <1.5 per week and creatinine clearance <40 L/week/1.73 m2.     

The effects of dialysis modality choice on cognitive functions in patients with end-stage renal failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Cognitive dysfunction is a major consequence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has further detrimental effects on both functionality and the quality of life for patients. While peritoneal dialysis is generally advocated in ESRD, there is a substantial knowledge gap about the differential effects of chronic dialysis modalities on cognitive dysfunction and decline. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate cognitive function in peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis patients.

Methods

We performed a systematic review in different databases to identify studies that assessed the effect of different dialysis modalities on cognitive functions. Inclusion criteria for our meta-analysis were all studies that compared the effects of peritoneal dialysis on cognitive functions compared to intermittent hemodialysis. The data collected were the name of the first author, journal title, year of publication, country where the study was conducted, number of patients in the peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis arms and methods of assessment of cognitive functions.

Results

Out of 2769 abstracts reviewed in different databases, 11 papers were included in our meta-analysis. Altogether, 195,774 patients were included in the final analysis. The forest plot analysis of the rate of cognitive impairment in different dialysis modalities showed decreased risk of cognitive impairment in the peritoneal dialysis population compared to hemodialysis patients (relative risk?=?0.634, confidence interval ranges from 0.508 to 0.790). There was evidence of significant heterogeneity among studies with p?<?0.0001 and I²?=?85.5%. The sensitivity analysis limited to studies on patients younger than 65 years of age showed similar results (relative risk?=?0.516; 95% confidence intervals: 0.379–0.704).

Conclusion

Patients on peritoneal dialysis demonstrated a lower odd of cognitive dysfunction compared to those on hemodialysis. Future prospective studies should assess cognitive decline as a meaningful outcome in dialysis patients.