Plasma myeloperoxidase, NT-proBNP, and troponin-I in patients on CAPD compared with those on regular hemodialysis.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a hemoprotein that is released during inflammation and may lead to irreversible protein and lipid modification, increasing levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein, and promoting athrogenesis. Recently, it has been considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness gives an indication about the degree of atherosclerosis and prediction of clinical cardiovascular events.

Outpatient percutaneous renal biopsy in adult patients.

To study the safety and efficacy of performing percutaneous renal biopsy in the outpatient department compared to the traditional inpatient policy, we studied 44 consecutive patients with proteinuria and other urinary sediment abnormalities, at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, during the period from September 2004 to August 2006. The patients were divided into two groups: group I, in whom kidney biopsy was performed and followed by 1-day hospital admission; and group II, in whom renal biopsy was performed in the outpatient department and followed by 6 hours' observation period and then by regular outpatient visits. All biopsies were performed with the use of real-time ultrasound and automated biopsy needle.