Publications by authors named "Efstathios Xagas"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how common hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression is among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) on low doses of glucocorticoids, highlighting that 27.5% had low cortisol levels.* -
  • It found that KTRs with low cortisol levels tended to be older and longer post-transplant, with cortisol levels positively correlating with other hormones like ACTH and DHEAS.* -
  • Despite increased HPA axis suppression in these patients, the study concluded that it was not linked to metabolic disorders like hypertension or diabetes, suggesting ACTH could be a useful biomarker for monitoring HPA activity.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) in hemodialysis patients is linked to higher cardiovascular risks, particularly in those with intradialytic hypertension (IDH).
  • A study tested the effects of low (137 mEq/L) versus standard (140 mEq/L) dialysate sodium concentrations on BPV among 29 IDH patients through a crossover design.
  • Results showed that while mean blood pressure was lower with low sodium, BPV levels did not significantly differ between the two sodium concentrations, suggesting the need for further research into different interventions for managing BP and BPV in these patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that often leads to kidney problems, with lupus nephritis affecting nearly 50% of patients and requiring careful classification for effective treatment.
  • - Traditional treatments focus on immunosuppressive therapies like glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide, but there hasn’t been significant improvement in complete remission rates, and many patients still progress to end-stage kidney disease.
  • - Newer therapies such as belimumab and voclosporin show promise for better renal outcomes, and maintaining ongoing treatment alongside lifestyle changes is essential to manage lupus nephritis effectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Intradialytic hypertension (IDH) is linked to higher cardiovascular risks and this study aimed to investigate how different dialysate sodium concentrations affect blood pressure in IDH patients.
  • The research involved 29 patients who underwent hemodialysis with both low (137mEq/L) and standard (140mEq/L) sodium concentrations, measuring their blood pressure and weight changes during the process.
  • Results showed that patients on low dialysate sodium had significantly lower blood pressure levels over 48 hours, indicating that this approach could be effective in managing blood pressure for patients with IDH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have a higher risk of suffering from severe Coronavirus (COVID-19) compared to the general population. Studies have shown impaired immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines in this high-risk population; thus, SOT recipients have been prioritized globally for primary and booster doses. We analyzed 144 SOT recipients who had previously received two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA1273 vaccine, and who were subsequently vaccinated with a booster dose of the mRNA1273 vaccine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Since December 2019, kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have experienced a great impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Preliminary data in KTRs suggest that the Omicron variant, which has been dominant since December 2021, is more infectious than the previous ones but is associated with reduced risk of severity and low lethality rates. The purpose of our study was to assess the disease course and outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in KTRs during the Omicron-surge.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Kidney transplantation (KTx) is associated with improved blood pressure (BP) levels for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) without evoking significant changes in donors. However, there is a paucity of studies offering simultaneous detailed evaluation of BP profiles over time in transplant donor-recipient pairs. The aim of the present study was the parallel evaluation of ambulatory BP levels and trajectories in KTRs and their respective living kidney donors in the short and mid-term following KTx.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Blood pressure variability (BPV) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor in CKD. Kidney transplantation (KTx) is associated with improved BP levels for kidney transplant recipient (KTRs), without evoking significant changes in donors. The aim of this study was to assess the short- and mid-time effects of KTx and donation on short-term BPV in KTRs and their respective living kidney donors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Chronic kidney disease patients, especially those on hemodialysis, are at the highest risk of a severe course and death from COVID-19. Moreover, they appear to have suboptimal response in both cellular and humoral immunity after vaccination. The present study investigated humoral and cellular response and safety after two doses of either of the two authorized mRNA vaccines in a cohort of 310 patients on maintenance dialysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) display higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than the general population. Increased short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study is to investigate sex differences in short-term BPV in KTRs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor in both kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is considered the gold-standard method for hypertension management in these subjects. This is the first study evaluating the full ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile and short-term BP variability (BPV) in KTRs versus CKD patients without kidney replacement therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Preliminary data suggest similar ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels in KTRs and haemodialysis (HD) patients. This is the first study comparing the full ambulatory BP profile and short-term BP variability (BPV) in KTRs versus HD patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Due to their higher risk of developing life-threatening COVID-19 disease, solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have been prioritized in the vaccination programs of many countries. However, there is increasing evidence of reduced immunogenicity to SARS-CοV-2 vaccination. The present study investigated humoral response, safety, and effectiveness after the two mRNA vaccines in 455 SOT recipients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The present study presents the clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 disease in relation to the humoral response in fully vaccinated solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Our patient cohort consists of 455 SOT recipients, vaccinated with one of the 2 approved mRNA vaccines. The antibody response was measured 1 month after the second dose, and previously infected patients have been excluded.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) control is worse in men compared with women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and this may partially explain the faster CKD progression in men. This is the first study investigating possible sex differences in prevalence, control and phenotypes of hypertension in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with office-BP and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 136 male and 69 female stable KTRs who underwent office-BP measurements and 24-h ABPM.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Hypertension is the most prominent risk factor in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). No study so far assessed in parallel the prevalence, control, and phenotypes of blood pressure (BP) or the accuracy of currently recommended office BP diagnostic thresholds in diagnosing elevated ambulatory BP in KTRs.

Methods: 205 stable KTRs underwent office BP measurements and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), are at increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. The spectrum of arterial remodeling in CKD and ESRD includes atheromatosis of middle-sized conduit arteries and, most importantly, the process of arteriosclerosis, characterized by increased arterial stiffness of aorta and the large arteries. Longitudinal studies showed that arterial stiffness and abnormal wave reflections are independent cardiovascular risk factors in several populations, including patients with CKD and ESRD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF