[Superior Cava Vein stenosis in a hemodialysis patient with long-term central venous catheter and vascular graft: a case report].

Recently, the use of central venous catheters (CVC) as a vascular access in patients undergoing hemodialysis is significantly increased, mainly because of the aging of this population and the presence of several comorbidities. However, the implantation and the long stay of CVC are associated with many complications. Among them, central venous stenosis represents one of the most common problems that, if not properly diagnosed, could lead to vascular thrombosis and consequent vascular access malfunction.

[Nonconvulsive status epilepticus due to Fentanyl intoxication in hemodialysed patients: two case reports and review of the literature].

The management of the pain therapy (ischemic pain, neoplastic pain) in hemodialysis patients has become a frequent challenge in the last years. These patients often require the prescription of major analgesic drugs such as Opioids like Fentanyl, in order to control the pain. It is necessary to pay attention to the correct dosage and to the half life of these drugs, that results prolonged in the chronic renal insufficiency.

The nephrologist's anticoagulation treatment patterns/regimens in chronic hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is high in hemodialysis (HD) patients. It was suggested that oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), the choice treatment for reducing the thromboembolic risk in AF patients, increases the incidence of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in the HD population. Moreover, the therapy-related bleeding risk is particularly high in these patients.

[Surveillance of arteriovenous fistula: new answers to an old problem].

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surveillance is pivotal to early detection of stenosis, in order to avoid subsequent thrombosis. Access flow measurement is the method recommended by the available guidelines. With respect to grafts, in native AVF the best thresholds of access flow intervention, optimal timing of monitoring and cost-effectiveness are still debated.

The middle-arm fistula as a valuable surgical approach in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: American and European guidelines recommend the distal radial-cephalic fistula (dRCF) as the first and best hemodialysis access in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, this kind of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) shows a limited primary unassisted patency and frequently needs surgical revisions or angiographic procedures, or both. When dRCF is not feasible, guidelines suggest a proximal brachiocephalic AVF.

Alterations of atrial electrophysiology induced by electrolyte variations: combined computational and P-wave analysis.

Aims: Haemodialysis (HD) therapy represents a unique model to test in vivo, in humans, the effects of changes in plasma ionic concentrations. Episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) often occur during the treatment. We investigated the effects of HD-induced electrolyte variations on atrial electrophysiology by analysing ECG P-wave duration (PWd), which reflects atrial conduction velocity (CV), and simulated atrial action potential (AP).

Validation of QB stress test as a useful tool in the detection of native arteriovenous fistula stenosis: results after 22 months of follow-up.

Background: Access flow (QA) surveillance is the best method recommended for early stenosis detection, but in native arteriovenous fistula (AVF), the literature is conflicting about the real need for monthly monitoring of QA, as suggested by the K-DOQI Guidelines.

Methods: From 1 January 2006 to 31 October 2007 (mean 18.0 +/- 4.

Sudden death and associated factors in a historical cohort of chronic haemodialysis patients.

Background: In haemodialysis patients, deaths due to cardiovascular causes constitute a large proportion of total mortality and sudden cardiac deaths account for approximately 22% of all deaths. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of sudden cardiac death and associated risk factors in a cohort of haemodialysis patients.

Methods And Results: The 3-year cumulative incidence of death in a cohort of 476 patients on chronic haemodialysis treatment was 34.

Atrial fibrillation and morbidity and mortality in a cohort of long-term hemodialysis patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased mortality and hospitalization in the general population. Data about mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization in hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation are limited.

Setting & Participants: All patients (n = 476) in 5 dialysis centers in Lombardia, Italy, as of June 2003 were enrolled and followed up until June 2006 (median age, 69 years; median hemodialysis duration, 45.

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and associated factors in a population of long-term hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) is associated with cardiovascular structural modifications; moreover, during HD, rapid electrolytic changes occur. Both factors may favor the onset of atrial fibrillation.

Methods: To define the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and identify associated factors, 488 patients on long-term HD therapy (age, 66.