Recovery of Severe Acute Kidney Injury in a Patient with COVID-19: Role of Lung Ultrasonography.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is recognized as a complication of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) can be a useful tool in the management of COVID-19 pneumonia when interpreted correctly. However, the role of LUS in management of severe AKI in the setting of COVID-19 remains to be defined.

Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 and Acute Kidney Injury.

Rationale & Objective: Outcomes of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are not well understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the survival and kidney outcomes of these patients.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Acute kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

The rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with patients hospitalized with Covid-19, and associated outcomes are not well understood. This study describes the presentation, risk factors and outcomes of AKI in patients hospitalized with Covid-19. We reviewed the health records for all patients hospitalized with Covid-19 between March 1, and April 5, 2020, at 13 academic and community hospitals in metropolitan New York.

Medication discrepancies in late-stage chronic kidney disease.

Background: Late-stage chronic kidney disease (LS-CKD) can be defined by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 0-30 mL/min. It is a period of risk for medication discrepancies because of frequent hospitalizations, fragmented medical care, inadequate communication and polypharmacy. In this study, we sought to characterize medication discrepancies in LS-CKD.

Epidemiology and Challenges to the Management of Advanced CKD.

Advanced CKD is a period of CKD that differs greatly from earlier stages of CKD in terms of treatment goals. Treatment during this period presents particular challenges as further loss of kidney function heralds the need for renal replacement therapy. Successful management during this period increases the likelihood of improved transitions to ESRD.

Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate: A Novel Iron Replacement Agent in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Management of anemia remains an integral component in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. In addition to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, iron-replacement agents remain a key strategy for anemia treatment in this patient population. Ferric pyrophosphate citrate (FPC), a novel iron-replacement agent, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2015 for use in adult patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD).

Bone Parameters and Risk of Hip and Femur Fractures in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Background And Objectives: Patients on hemodialysis have a high rate of hip fractures. In this study, we performed a contemporary analysis of mineral and bone parameters and their relationship to hip and femur fracture risk.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Patients on hemodialysis treated between 2000 and 2013 in Fresenius Medical Care North America facilities were included.

Update on the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program.

The End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program continues to evolve and expand. In this article, we will review the program's structure and critically assess the clinical metrics in place. In addition, we will discuss upcoming program changes to help prepare dialysis facilities and nephrologists to meet new proposed metrics.

Novel iron-based phosphate binders in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Purpose Of Review: Management of hyperphosphatemia remains an integral component in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. In addition to dietary restriction and dialysis, oral phosphate binders remain a key strategy in the control of serum phosphorus levels in this population. We review two new oral phosphate binders that are currently marketed in the United States.

Challenges and opportunities in late-stage chronic kidney disease.

There is increasing recognition that chronic diseases are a major challenge for health delivery systems and treasuries. These are highly prevalent and costly diseases and frequency is expected to increase greatly as the population of many countries ages. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not received the same attention as other chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure; yet, the prevalence and costs of CKD are substantial.

Increasing hip fractures in patients receiving hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Background/aims: Dialysis patients are at increased risk for hip fractures. Because changes in treatment of metabolic bone disease in this population may have impacted bone fragility, this study aims to analyze the longitudinal risk for fractures in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: Using the United States Renal Data System database from 1992 to 2009, the temporal trend in hip fractures requiring hospitalization was analyzed using an overdispersed Poisson regression model.

Treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease patients with cancer.

Treatment of anemia remains an important component in the care of patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) remains a key anemia treatment strategy in this patient population. However, anemia management in this group can become more complicated by prior or current history of malignancy.

Longitudinal predictors of uremic pruritus.

Objective: Pruritus is a common problem among hemodialyzed patients. Its causes are poorly understood, and, as a result, itching is often attributed to elevated serum phosphorus and other disorders of bone and minerals. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between pruritus and common tests of bone and mineral disease.

Meeting the 2012 QIP (Quality Incentive Program) clinical measures: strategies for dialysis centers.

The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services end-stage renal disease Quality Incentive Program (QIP) is a pay-for-performance program that reduces dialysis center payments by up to 2% for suboptimal patient care. In January 2012, the performance year began for payment year 2014, bringing significant changes to the QIP by introducing 6 quality indicators (3 clinical measures and 3 reporting measures) and a new scoring methodology. To succeed under the new QIP, dialysis facilities must meet 3 clinical measures that assess anemia management, hemodialysis adequacy, and vascular access type in patients receiving dialysis treatment, as well as 3 reporting measures that involve the reporting of dialysis safety events, attestation of administering a patient satisfaction survey, and attestation of patient mineral metabolism monitoring.

Ranolazine, tacrolimus, and diltiazem might be a hazardous combination in a transplant patient.

We report a case of a renal transplant patient who was maintained on tacrolimus and diltiazem therapy and developed tacrolimus toxicity leading to reversible acute kidney injury when started on ranolazine. A 62-year-old Caucasian male status post renal transplant in 2009 (on prednisone and tacrolimus) was evaluated for ischemic heart disease and was initiated on ranolazine 500 mg tablets twice daily, which was later increased to 1000 mg twice daily. After 2 weeks, he developed fatigue, loss of appetite, tremors, and decreased urine output and was admitted to our hospital.