Usefulness of urinary potassium to creatinine ratio to predict diuretic response in patients with acute heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) require intensification in the diuretic strategy. However, the optimal diuretic strategy remains unclear. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the role of urinary potassium to creatinine ratio (K/Cr) to predict diuretic and natriuretic response to thiazide or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in a cohort of patients with AHF and preserved ejection fraction (AHF-pEF).

Comparison of chlorthalidone and spironolactone as additional diuretic therapy in patients with acute heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) require intensification in the diuretic strategy. However, the optimal diuretic strategy remains unclear. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the effect of chlorthalidone compared with spironolactone on diuretic efficacy and safety profile in a cohort of patients with AHF and preserved ejection fraction (AHF-pEF).

Tumor lysis syndrome in solid tumors: Clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Introduction And Objective: Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is an uncommon complication in solid tumors following treatment initiation, and its spontaneous development (STLS) is exceptional. In this study, we analyse the main clinical and prognostic features of a case series with TLS and STLS.

Material And Methods: Observational retrospective study in which we included all patients with solid tumours diagnosed with TLS and STLS over a period of 16 years, according to Cairo-Bishop criteria.

Effects of a single, high oral dose of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on the mineral metabolism markers in hemodialysis patients.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. Low levels have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. We evaluated the administration of a high, single oral dose of 25-OH cholecalciferol (3 mg of Hidroferol, 180 000 IU) in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Home Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: Preliminary Results.

Healthcare for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) on conservative treatment very often poses healthcare problems that are difficult to solve. At the end of 2011, we began a program based on the care and monitoring of these patients by Primary Care Teams. ACKD patients who opted for conservative treatment were offered the chance to be cared for mainly at home by the Primary Care doctor and nurse, under the coordination of the Palliative Care Unit and the Nephrology Department.

Home care programme for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. A two-year experience.

Introduction:  Healthcare for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) on conservative treatment very often poses healthcare problems that are difficult to solve. Many patients are elderly and have mobility problems, and it is very difficult for them to travel to hospital. At the end of 2011, we began a programme based on the care and monitoring of these patients by Primary Care teams.

Are low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases or malignancies in renal transplantation?

Background: Observational studies in healthy people suggest an inverse relationship between 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D levels) and cardiovascular diseases and malignancies. We performed an observational prospective study in renal transplant recipients to investigate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on cardiovascular and malignancy risks.

Methods: From 389 renal transplant recipients, 331 with a functioning graft at 12 months were included in the study.

Changes in peritoneal membrane permeability and proteinuria in patients on peritoneal dialysis after treatment with paricalcitol − a preliminary study.

Background: Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have protein loss through peritoneal membrane (PM) and experience changes in permeability of the membrane. Paricalcitol is a selective vitamin D receptor activator with an effect upon systemic inflammation and an inhibitory effect upon the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

Methods: This study explores the possible effect of paricalcitol upon the PM in 23 patients on PD with high iPTH levels.

Recovery of renal function in patients receiving haemodialysis treatment.

The aim of this study was to review all cases of recovery of renal function in chronic haemodialysis patients, observed in the last ten years. During the study period, 218 chronic renal failure patients were managed on haemodialysis for a minimum of 90 days. In 17 cases (8%), it was possible to interrupt dialysis after 95 to 529 days.

Effects of oral paricalcitol on hyperparathyroidism and proteinuria in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Severe secondary hyperparathyroidism is a complication of chronic kidney disease. Paricalcitol is a vitamin D receptor activator with efficacy in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism that also has the minor side effects of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. As a pleiotropic effect, paricalcitol reduces proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 2-4.

Peritoneal protein losses in diabetic patients starting peritoneal dialysis: is there a relationship with diabetic vascular lesions?

During peritoneal dialysis (PD), a significant amount of protein is lost through the peritoneal membrane, and these losses could influence the patient's nutrition status. It has been reported that peritoneal protein loss (PPL) is greater in diabetic (D) patients than in nondiabetic (ND) patients, but the topic is still controversial, and the factors involved are not totally defined. We studied 23 patients on continuous ambulatory PD (12 with diabetes) who had experienced no episodes of infection during the preceding months.