Anticoagulant use in patients with chronic renal impairment.

Patients with renal failure have an increased risk of both thrombotic and bleeding complications. A number of antithrombotic drugs undergo renal clearance. Therefore, estimation of renal function is necessary when prescribing these drugs to patients with renal dysfunction.

Defining conditions that lead to the retention of water: the importance of the arterial sodium concentration.

Background: A water diuresis occurs when a large volume of water is ingested rapidly. Nevertheless, water conservation is required to provide a source of water for evaporative heat dissipation throughout the day. Therefore, the objective was to define conditions that permit the retention of ingested water.

Evolution of naturally acquired hepatitis B immunity in the long-term hemodialysis population.

Background: Although the natural history of vaccination-induced hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies (Abs) is becoming clearer, little is known about naturally acquired immunity. Some assume that these patients never lose their Abs.

Methods: To document the natural history of HBV immunity, we prospectively followed up all naturally immune patients initiating hemodialysis (HD) therapy at St Michael's Hospital (Toronto, Canada).