Lung ultrasound and BNP to detect hidden pulmonary congestion in euvolemic hemodialysis patients: a single centre experience.

Background: Dry weight assessment in hemodialysis (HD) remains a challenge. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of subclinical pulmonary congestion using lung ultrasound (LUS) in maintenance HD patients with no clinical or bioimpedance signs of hyperhydration. The correlation between B-lines Score (BLS) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was also evaluated.

[Different methods to manage dry weight in hemodialysis patients].

Estimating the euvolemia and dry weight of hemodialysis patients still represents a challenge for the nephrologist, since both dehydration and hyperhydration are associated with intradialytic events and cardiovascular complications in the short and long term. Despite the need for a precise and objective definition of the dry weight for the individual patient on dialysis, this is usually determined on a clinical basis. To obtain greater sensitivity the dosage of natriuretic peptides, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and, more recently, Lung Ultra-Sound (LUS) can all be used.

Home blood pressure measurement as a systematic tool for clinical practice in CKD patients: a real-world picture.

Background: Arterial hypertension is very common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and its prevalence increases with lowering estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Blood pressure (BP) control is a cornerstone in the treatment of CKD patients but still most treatment decisions are based on office BP measurement (OBPM). The aim of this cross-sectional, retrospective study is to investigate the prevalence of hypertension phenotypes in CKD patients and whether different home (HBPM) or OBPM are associated with a different CKD stage and cardiovascular comorbidities.