IgA nephropathy in Greece: data from the registry of the Hellenic Society of Nephrology.

Background: Natural history, predisposing factors to an unfavourable outcome and the effect of various therapeutic regimens were evaluated in a cohort of 457 patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and follow-up of at least 12 months.

Methods: Patients with normal renal function and proteinuria <1 g/24 h as well as those with serum creatinine (SCr) >2.5 mg/dL and/or severe glomerulosclerosis received no treatment.

Residual renal function in hemodialysis patients: the role of Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in its preservation.

Residual Renal function (RRF) has an important role in the overall morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) in preserving renal function in chronic proteinuric nephropathies is well documented. We test the hypothesis that enalapril (an ACEi) slows the rate of decline of RRF in patients starting hemodialysis.

An unusual cause of severe hyperkalemia in a dialysis patient.

Hyperkalemia is a common clinical problem in dialysis patients. We wish to present an unusual case of severe hyperkalemia caused by fragmentation haemolysis in a dialysis patient with a prosthetic aortic valve. A 45-year-old man with a 5-year history of end-stage renal disease under dialysis, a known history of paroxysmal atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia and aortic valve replacement, presented to our department with a recent history of palpitation and profound generalized muscle weakness.