[Significance of arterial stiffness parameters for predicting cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study].

Unlabelled: Previous studies demonstrated that different parameters of arterial stiffness are related to cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. The relative prognostic value of these parameters has not previously been evaluated in one cohort.

Patients And Methods: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, carotid augmentation index, carotid pulse pressure and carotid-brachial pulse pressure amplification were measured in 98 patients before and after hemodialysis.

[Experiences with Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter].

Unlabelled: Peritoneal dialysis is a generally accepted method for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. Two main techniques for the insertion of the peritoneal catheter are known: open surgery and the laparoscopic-assisted technique.

Aim: To describe our surgical procedure and implantation technique and to determine the outcome of our patients who underwent the conventional and the laparoscopic assisted placement of a catheter.

Arterial stiffness in hemodialysis: which parameter to measure to predict cardiovascular mortality?

In previous studies, different parameters of arterial stiffness were related to cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients, but their relative prognostic value has not previously been evaluated in 1 cohort. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), the carotid augmentation index, carotid pulse pressure (CPP) and carotid-brachial pulse pressure amplification (AMP) were measured in 98 patients before and after hemodialysis. Patients were followed for a median of 29 months (1-34) and the association of these parameters with cardiovascular mortality were assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regressions.

Validation of arteriograph - a new oscillometric device to measure arterial stiffness in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Background: Measuring arterial stiffness (augmentation index (AI), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV)) in hemodialysis (HD) patients has prognostic significance. To assess its validity, the new oscillometric Arteriograph device (AI(A), PWV(A)) was compared to the validated PulsePen tonometer (AI(P), PWV(P)).

Methods: AI and PWV were measured in 98 patients with both devices before HD.

[Osteoprotegerin: regulator, protector and marker].

Experimental and clinical trials in the field of bone biology helped to clarify the role of receptors, which belong to the tumor necrosis factor family, such as osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (RANK), in the regulation of bone remodeling. The ligand of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (RANKL) is a stimulator of bone resorption, while osteoprotegerin is the soluble "decoy" receptor to RANKL, protecting thereby bone from resorption. Pathological states of bone remodeling (like osteoporosis) are associated with imbalance in the activity of osteoprotegerin and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB.

Serum osteoprotegerin level, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and cardiovascular survival in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a marker and regulator of arterial calcification, and it is related to cardiovascular survival in haemodialysis patients. The link between OPG and aortic stiffening--a consequence of arterial calcification--has not been previously evaluated in this population, and it is not known whether OPG-related mortality risk is mediated by arterial stiffening.

Methods: At baseline, OPG and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured in 98 chronic haemodialysis patients who were followed for a median of 24 months.

Effect of sevelamer on aortic pulse wave velocity in patients on hemodialysis: a prospective observational study.

Aortic stiffening and aortic calcification are risk factors for cardiovascular events in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and these 2 risk factors are interrelated. Sevelamer decreases aortic calcification but its effect on aortic stiffness has not been investigated previously. Thirteen HD patients commencing sevelamer treatment and 13 matched controls were followed for 11 months.