Iron,coronary artery calcification,and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis

ObjectiveA high coronary artery calcification score (CACS) may be associated with high mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Recently, effects of iron on vascular smooth muscle cell calcification have been described. We aimed to investigate the relationships between iron, CACS, and mortality in HD patients.MethodsWe studied 173 consecutive patients who were undergoing maintenance HD. Laboratory data and Agatston’s CACS were obtained at baseline for two groups of patients: those with CACS ≥400 (n = 109) and those with CACS <400 (n = 64). Logistic regression analyses for CACS ≥400 and Cox proportional hazard analyses for mortality were conducted.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) age and duration of dialysis of the participants were 67 (60–75) years and 73 (37–138) months, respectively. Serum iron (Fe) and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels were significantly lower in participants with CACS ≥400 than in those with CACS <400, although the serum ferritin concentration did not differ between the groups. TSAT ≥21% was significantly associated with CACS ≥400 (odds ratio 0.46, p<0.05). TSAT ≥17%, Fe ≥63 µg/dL, and ferritin ≥200 ng/mL appear to protect against 5-year all-cause mortality in HD patients, independent of conventional risk factors of all-cause mortality (p < 0.05).ConclusionWe have identified associations between iron, CACS, and mortality in HD patients. Lower TSAT was found to be an independent predictor of CACS ≥400, and iron deficiency (low TSAT, iron, or ferritin) was a significant predictor of 5-year all-cause mortality in HD patients.     

Clinical features and outcome of maintenance hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 from a tertiary nephrology care center in Romania

Background There is limited information about the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of maintenance hemodialysis patients with COVID-19. Moreover, regional differences are also conceivable since the extend and severity of outbreaks varied among countries.Methods In this retrospective, observational, single-center study, we analyzed the clinical course and outcomes of 37 maintenance hemodialysis patients (median age 64 years, 51% men) hospitalized with COVID-19 from 24 March to 22 May 2020 as confirmed by real-time PCR.Results The most common symptoms at admission were fatigue (51%), fever (43%), dyspnea (38%) and cough (35%). There were 59% mild/moderate patients and 41% severe/critical patients. Patients in the severe/critical group had a significantly higher atherosclerotic burden since diabetic kidney disease and vascular nephropathies were the most common primary kidney diseases and eighty percent of them had coronary heart disease. Also, Charlson comorbidity score was higher in this group. At admission chest X-ray, 46% had ground-glass abnormalities. Overall, 60% patients received hydroxychloroquine, 22% lopinavir–ritonavir, 11% tocilizumab, 24% systemic glucocorticoids, and 54% received prophylactic anticoagulation. Seven (19%) patients died during hospitalization and 30 were discharged. The main causes of death were cardiovascular (5 patients) and respiratory distress syndrome (2 patients). In Cox regression analysis, lower oxygen saturation, anemia and hypoalbuminemia at admission were associated with increased mortality.Conclusions In conclusion, we observed a high mortality rate among maintenance hemodialysis patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Anemia, lower serum albumin and lower basal oxygen saturation at admission were factors associated with poor prognosis.     

Effect of clinical factors on trajectory of functional performance in patients undergoing hemodialysis

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the association between clinical factors and temporary changes in functional performance in patients undergoing hemodialysis.MethodsThis was a retrospective, longitudinal observational study conducted from 2015 to 2017. Eight-two patients undergoing hemodialysis in the outpatient clinic were enrolled. Functional performance was measured using the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale. Collected data for analysis included demographics, laboratory parameters, and KPS scale scores. All participants were grouped into a high KPS cluster and a low KPS cluster based on dynamic changes in KPS scales from 2015 to 2017.ResultsParticipants in the high KPS cluster demonstrated an approximate trend, and those in the low KPS cluster demonstrated a low pattern. By stepwise selection model analysis, age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03–1.23, p = 0.011), serum BUN (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.16, p = 0.015), calcium levels (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.2–8.73, p = 0.02), and beta-2-microglobulin (OR > 1.0, CI >1.00-<1.01, p = 0.031) showed risk for the low KPS cluster. Male sex (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.04–0.96, p = 0.045) and albumin level (OR 0.02, 95% CI 0–0.4, p = 0.009) showed a low risk for the low KPS cluster.ConclusionsA different trajectory pattern was observed between the high and low KPS clusters in a 3-year period. Risk factors for the low KPS cluster were age, serum BUN, calcium, and beta-2-microglobulin levels. Male sex and serum albumin levels reduced the risk for the low KPS cluster.     

Bullous pemphigoid in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis: a case series and a literature survey

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease. Although several cases of BP in end-stage renal disease patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis have been reported, the incidence of BP in these patients remains unknown. We recently experienced three PD patients diagnosed with BP. The skin injury was likely to be a trigger of BP in all the three PD patients. Nifedipine and icodextrin exposures were possible factors directly or indirectly affecting the onset of BP, because they were common in the three cases. We also report that the incidence of BP in PD patients was 3/478.3 person-years in a single-center 10-year study. This case series with a literature survey describes that the skin and tissue injuries are potential triggers responsible for the onset of BP in dialysis patients and that the incidence of BP in these patients seems to be much higher than that in the general population.     

血液透析患者中TT病毒感染的检测及序列分析

目的：研究血液透析患中TT病毒（TTV）的感染状况及其致病性。方法：针对病毒基因保守区设计引物,采用套式PCR方法对69例血液透析患血清标本进行TTVDFNA检测及序列分析。并同时检测患血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）及丙型肝炎病毒抗体（抗-HCV）。结果：患血清TTVDNA总阳性率为27.5%。对其中1例PCR扩增产物测序。结果与其他TVV分离株如GH1、TA278、TTVCHN1和TTVCHN2的核苷酸序列同源性为89%-100%,推测的氨基酸序列同源性为87%-100%。抗-HCV阳性与阴性患的TTV DNA阳性率无明显差异。所有患均未见ALT明显升高。结论：血液透析患存在较严重的TTV感染与HCV感染无明显相关性。未发现TTV感染导致ALT明显升高的证据。     

透析前注射单剂量低分子量肝素对透析器复用效率的评价

目的 评价血透前注射单剂量低分子量肝素（LMWH）与持续输注普通肝素（SH）对复用透析器效率的影响。方法 对30例慢性透析患者进行随机交叉对照研究,观察第1、4次透析的透析器纤维包裹容量（FBV）、透析前血球压积（HCT）及透析2h尿素氮、肌酐清除率;另外,利用生色底物法测定透析0h,2h,4h血浆肝素抗－Fxa水平。结果 同SH组比,LMWH组透析器复用次数增加（P＜0．05）,第4次复用透析器FBV及透析2h尿素氮、肌酐清除率无下降（P＞0．05）,SH组则下降（P＜0．05）,透析2h两组血浆肝素活性－Fxa水平差异无显著性（P＞0．05）,透析4hLWMH组高于SH组（P＜0．05）。结论 透析前单剂量注射LMWH能有效地保护复用透析器清除率,值得临床上进一步推广。     

尿毒症及血透对血清一氧化氮浓度的影响及其临床意义

为研究尿毒症及血液透析对血清一氧化氮 (NO)浓度的影响及其临床意义 ,应用硝酸盐还原酶法检测了 1 0例尿毒症未透析患者、1 4例维持性血液透析患者透析前后及 1 0例正常对照者血清NO浓度。结果 :尿毒症未透析及血透患者NO水平均较正常对照显著升高 (P <0 .0 5) ,且尿毒症未透析患者血NO浓度与肿瘤坏死因子 α水平呈显著性正相关 (r =0 .858,P <0 .0 0 1 )。血液透析后NO浓度较透析前显著降低 (P <0 .0 5) ,但透析间期又会导致其蓄积。结果提示 :NO的蓄积对尿毒症的临床表现可能有一定影响。     

477例患者血液透析中留置中心静脉导管的临床分析

目的：总结留置中心静脉导管的经验,探讨如何防治中心静脉留置导管的并发症。方法：分析１９９２年７月！￣１９９８年７月我院血液净化中心对４７７例肾功能不全患,留置中心静脉导管共５６６例次。     

全血活化凝血时间在局部枸橼酸盐抗凝血透中的应用

目的：开展局部枸橼酸抗凝血液透析,监控枸橼酸盐的输注量;方法：采用全血活化凝血时间（ＡＣＴ）监测患者的凝血状态;结果：基础ＡＣＴ值为１１０．５±１０．０９ｓ;透析结束时动脉端ＡＣＴ值为１１５．３±１１．６１ｓ,与基础值相比无明显差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）;透析结束时静脉端ＡＣＴ值为１４６．６±３０．３５ｓ,与基础值相比有显著差异（Ｐ＜０．０５）,枸橼酸钠输注速度为３０～４０ｍｌ／ｈ;结论：静脉端ＡＣＴ值较基础值延长３０％,枸橼酸盐能在体外循环达到有效抗凝效果,不会引起出血并发症     

动静脉直接穿刺进行血液透析的探讨

目的　探讨动静脉直接穿刺进行血液透析的实用性及安全性; 方法　选择挠动脉、足背动脉或肱动脉为穿刺血管,建立临时血管通路; 结果　本组１５７ 例共穿刺１４８４人次,一次成功率９８％ ,每次透析时间３ ～５ｈ,血流量达１５０～３００ｍｌ／ｍｉｎ 者达９６ ％ ,出血并发症仅０．１５％ ; 结论　动静脉的直接穿刺是一种安全有效的暂时性血管通路。