Outcome of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients on peritoneal dialysis: a national retrospective study based on two French registries (the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry and the French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network).

Background: Pathological features of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) include enlarged kidney volume, higher frequency of digestive diverticulitis and abdominal wall hernias. Therefore, many nephrologists have concerns about the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in ADPKD patients. We aimed to analyse survival and technique failure in ADPKD patients treated with PD.

Hemoglobin level variability in hemodialysis patients treated with epoetin-β during 1 year.

Aim: This analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and the factors associated with hemoglobin (Hb) variability during treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in France.

Methods: Hb variability was evaluated in a subgroup of hemodialysis (HD) patients of the French cohort DiaNE. Eligible patients had received epoetin-β at least 6 months before entering DiaNE, 12 months during DiaNE and had no missing monthly Hb measurements.

[Anemia management in French hemodialysis patients: DiaNE study results at 3 years (DiaNE2)].

The observational study DiaNE provides a current state of anemia management with Epoetine bêta in hemodialysis patients regarding European recommendations over a 3-year period in France. Patients still treated with Epoetine bêta twelve months after their inclusion in DiaNE were eligible for a 24-month extension phase entitled DiaNE 2. Data regarding 439 patients followed during three years, from M0 to M36, were analyzed.

[Is the management of anemia in hemodialysis patients improving in France? Results of the DiaNE study].

French and international clinical practice guidelines recommend a minimum hemoglobin level of 11 g/dl in patients with chronic kidney disease. Previous studies implemented between 1996 and 2003 showed that only 35 to 55% the patients reach this target. Dialysis NeoRecormon Epidemiology (DiaNE) is a one-year French multicentric observational study designed to follow a cohort of 1200 patients with ESRD treated with epoetin beta to assess the management of anemia in routine nephrologic practice.

Icodextrin-induced peritonitis: study of five cases and comparison with bacterial peritonitis.

Background: An epidemic of aseptic peritonitis related to the presence of peptidoglycan contaminant in some batches of icodextrin solution (Extraneal, Baxter Healthcare Corporation) occurred in Europe in the first six months of 2002.

Methods: By case-control study we examined the clinical and biologic features of 5 patients with icodextrin-induced peritonitis (group AP) and compared them with 7 patients with bacterial peritonitis (group BP) recruited in our clinical center between January and June 2002.

Results: Diagnosis of icodextrin-induced peritonitis was confirmed in all cases by a positive reintroduction test with contaminated batches of icodextrin.

Optimal anticoagulation strategy in haemodialysis with heparin-coated polyacrylonitrile membrane.

Background: Binding of polycationic unfractionated heparin onto the modified AN69 polyacrylonitrile membrane, whose surface electronegativity has been neutralized by layering polyethyleneimine (AN69ST), produces stable coating. We investigated whether the heparin-coated membrane was suitable for regular haemodialysis with low heparin doses.

Methods: Sheep were instrumented for extracorporeal circulation perfusing a dialyser equipped with either the AN69ST or the original AN69 membrane.

Detection of subclinical abdominal hernia by peritoneal scintigraphy.

This study investigated the incidence of subclinical abdominal hernia in patients starting peritoneal dialysis (PD). From April 1995 to August 1999, every new patient without clinical evidence of abdominal leakage underwent peritoneal scintigraphy. A total of 59 patients were enrolled in the study.

Kinetics of carbamylated haemoglobin in acute renal failure.

Background: Carbamylation of proteins by isocyanic acid, the reactive form of cyanate derived from urea, is increased in uraemia and may contribute to uraemic toxicity. Kinetics of carbamylation that may reflect uraemic toxicity is not clearly defined in acute renal failure (ARF).

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with ARF and 13 with chronic renal failure (CRF) were included in the study in order to determine changes in carbamylated haemoglobin concentration (CarHb) in ARF.

Assessment of radioisotopic micturating cystography for the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux in renal transplant recipients with acute pyelonephritis.

Background: The gold standard for documenting vesicoureteric reflux is direct (retrograde) micturating cystography (MC). In children, radioisotopic MC has been advocated for increased sensitivity and lesser radiation exposure. In renal transplant recipients, where reflux can induce acute pyelonephritis, this technique has not been evaluated.

Antihypertensive effect of amlodipine and lack of interference with cyclosporine metabolism in renal transplant recipients.

The catabolism of various calcium channel blockers through cytochrome P-450 is heterogeneous and may be modified by concomitant use of cyclosporin A. In an open study we investigated the antihypertensive effect and clinical tolerance of the dihydropyridine amlodipine and its effects on cyclosporine kinetics in stable hypertensive renal transplant recipients not taking corticosteroids. Ten adult hypertensive patients grafted for 21.

Cuprophane but not synthetic membrane induces increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels during hemodialysis.

Cytokine synthesis and secretion by blood mononuclear cells is a well-documented phenomenon in hemodialyzed patients. The present study was conducted in 17 chronically hemodialyzed patients to test the relative effect of uremic toxicity, membrane biocompatibility, dialysate composition, and the risk of endotoxinemia on the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The only significant parameter that influenced circulating TNF-alpha was the chemical characteristics of the dialyzer membrane.

[Evaluation of the frequency of acute renal insufficiency and therapeutic modalities in the nephrological milieu].

Due to lack of structured epidemiological studies, the incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) cannot be established in France. An empirical approach method based on answered questionnaire sent by mail to nephrology centers affiliated or not to universities has been used to estimate the frequency of ARF requiring dialysis in 1991. We postulated that the French population was homogeneously distributed among the different regions and that the response rate of 74% could be extrapolated to 100%.

[Mobile thrombus of the right heart and pulmonary embolism: diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Apropos of 12 cases].

The objectives of this report were to analyse clinical presentation, echocardiographic features and diagnostic and therapeutic problems posed by an unusual form of thrombo-embolic disease: mobile right heart thrombosis. Systematic echocardiography in 170 cases of severe pulmonary embolism identified mobile right thrombi in 12 cases. The auscultatory findings were abnormal in 6 cases, 3 showing signs of tricuspid obstruction.