Evaluation of a predictive model of end-stage kidney disease in a French-based cohort

Background

The risk of ESKD is highly heterogeneous among renal diseases, and risk scores were developed to account for multiple progression factors. Kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) is the most widely accepted, although external validation is scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of this score in a French case–control cohort and test the pertinence of the proposed thresholds.

Methods

A retrospective case–control study comparing a group of patients starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) to a group of patients with CKD stages 3–5. Multivariate analysis to assess the predictors of ESKD risk. Discrimination of 4-, 6- and 8-variable scores using ROC curves and compared with eGFR alone and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) alone.

Results

314 patients with a ratio of 1 case for 1 control. In multivariate analysis, increasing age and higher eGFR were associated with a lower risk of ESKD (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.48–0.79; and OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.86, respectively). The log-transformed ACR was associated with a higher risk of ESKD (OR 1.25 per log unit, 95% CI 1.02–1.55). The 4-variable score was significantly higher in the RRT group than in the CKD-ND group, and was more efficient than the eGFR (AUROC 0.66, 95% CI 0.60–0.72, p?=?0.018) and the log-transformed ACR (AUROC 0.63 95% CI 0.60–0.72, p?=?0.0087) to predict ESKD. The 6-variable score including BP metrics and diabetes was not more discriminant as the 4-variable score. The 8-variable score had similar performance compared with the 4-score (AUROC 8-variable score: 0.70, 95% CI 0.64–0.76, p?=?0.526). A 40% and 20% score thresholds were not superior to eGFR?<?15 and 20 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively. A 10% threshold was more specific than an eGFR?<?30 mL/min/1.73 m².

Conclusion

KFRE was highly discriminant between patients progressing to ESKD vs those non-progressing. The 4-variable score may help stratify renal risk and referral in the numerous patients with stage 3 CKD. Conversely, the proposed thresholds for creating vascular access or preemptive transplantation were not superior to eGFR alone.

     

Effects of high- vs low-dose native vitamin D on albuminuria and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system: a randomized pilot study

International Urology and Nephrology - Residual albuminuria is associated with an increased risk of progression to ESKD. We tested whether a supplementation with native vitamin D could reduce...     

Local Venous Thrombotic Risk of an Expanding Haemostatic Agent Used During Liver Resection

Background

For patients undergoing liver resection that leaves an empty intraparenchymal cavity, traditional topical agents might be inadequate to achieve additional hemostasis. A new hemostatic expanding topical foam (BioFoam^®) has been designed to provide a mechanical seal. The objective of this study was to report our preliminary results regarding the safety and the efficacy using this foam.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2011, BioFoam^® was used to fill a three-dimensional defect following liver resection in 14 patients. The operative results and postoperative course of these patients were compared to those of 14 matched controls who underwent liver resection but did not receive BioFoam^®.

Results

The two groups were similar in terms of demographics, indications for liver resection, type of surgical procedure, and type and duration of clamping. BioFoam^® patients experienced significantly less operative blood loss (275 vs. 630 ml, p = 0.032) but similar operative transfusion rates (28.6 vs. 35.7 %, p = 0.686) compared to no-BioFoam^® patients. The postoperative mortality was nil and no patient developed postoperative hemorrhage. While the two groups shared similar overall (64.3 vs. 57.1 %, p = 0.599) and major (28.6 vs. 14.3 %, p = 0.357) complications rates, BioFoam^® patients experienced significantly higher major vascular thrombosis compared to no-BioFoam^® patients (29 vs. 0 %, p = 0.04). In the BioFoam^® group, major vascular thrombosis was associated with exposure of the vessel along the transection plane.

Conclusion

While the clinical benefit of BioFoam^® in high-risk liver resections leaving a deep parenchymal defect remains to be proven, the associated risk of vascular thrombosis should preclude its use in contact with major veins.     

An acute abdominal syndrome reveals a postoperative ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula: about one case

Introduction

Postoperative ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula is an unusual but known complication after lumbar surgery.

Case report

We report the case of a 74-year-old patient consulted at the emergency department for intense acute abdominal syndrome revealing a post-operative common ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula 5 years after a lumbosacral arthrodesis L3–S1. The patient was treated with an endovascular arterial stent-graft with immediate vascular and clinical results.

Conclusion

Arteriovenous fistula is a possible etiology of acute abdominal syndrome in patients with lumbar or abdominopelvic surgery history.

     

Extended-release naltrexone/bupropion and liver health: Pooled,post hoc analysis from four randomized controlled trials

Sustained weight loss improves liver histology in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This post hoc analysis of four phase III, 56-week, randomized controlled trials investigated if extended-release naltrexone and bupropion (NB) affects alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index in adults with overweight or obesity. Two thousand and seventy-three subjects (NB = 1310; placebo = 763; 79.0% female; 81.6% Caucasian) had baseline mean weight 101 kg, body mass index 36.2 kg/m², ALT 26.9 IU/L and FIB-4 0.79. At 56 weeks, NB-treated subjects experienced more weight loss than placebo (8.7 vs. 3.2 kg, respectively, P < .0001). Weight loss, independent of treatment, was associated with improved ALT and FIB-4 (P < .0001). There was a significant independent effect of NB on change from baseline for FIB-4 (P < .0001), but not for ALT (P = .54). Categorical ALT response (from above to within normal ranges: 10-40 IU/L for men; 7-35 IU/L for women) and achievement of 25% and 50% reduction in ALT were greater for NB versus placebo, and independently affected by weight loss (P < .0001), but not treatment. NB-associated weight loss may improve liver health by normalizing ALT values for those with high baseline levels.