Acid-base abnormalities and liver dysfunction.

In addition to the kidneys and lungs, the liver also plays an important role in the regulation of the Acid-Base Equilibrium (ABE). The involvement of the liver in the regulation of ABE is crucial because of its role in lactic acid metabolism, urea production and in protein homeostasis. The main acid-base imbalance that occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis is Respiratory Alkalosis (RAlk).

The Effect of Dialysis Modality and Membrane Performance on Native Immunity in Dialysis Patients.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by immune activation with development of chronic inflammation. However, immune deficiency also exists in CKD patients. The number and the activity of Natural Killer cells (NK-cells) are influenced by the biocompatibility of various dialysis membranes.

Patient clearance time (tp) with different vascular access types.

Background/aims: The dialysis delivered dose is limited by the rate at which urea can be transferred from the different body compartments. The time needed to clear the peripheral compartments of the body has been called the patient clearance time (tp). The aim of the study was to compare delivered dialysis dose using the tp index between patients dialyzed through a permanent central venous catheter (CVC) and patients with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF).