A nephrology trainee can define the fluid status through lung ultrasonography and inferior vena cava measurements in hemodialysis patients: an observational study in a single center.

Aims: The determination of ideal weight in hemodialysis patients remains a common problem. The use of Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is an emerging method of assessing the hydric status of hemodialysis patients. LUS combined with Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) ultrasonography can define the fluid status in hemodialysis patients.

A Rare Case of Extensive Eggshell Intestinal Wall Peritoneal Calcification in a Long-Term Continuous Peritoneal Dialysis Patient.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but rather serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis. The etiology of EPS is multifactorial, with long-term peritoneal dialysis, multiple peritonitis episodes, and uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism considered to be major risk factors for this often life-threatening condition. We report a case of a 55-year-old female patient with Down syndrome and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) with extensive intestinal peritoneal calcifications and a rather uncomplicated long follow-up.

Transient Hyperphosphatasemia in an Adolescent and an Adult Renal Transplant Patient.

Background: In renal transplant patients receiving immunosuppression, a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) might be indicative of liver or bone diseases caused by many factors. In infancy and early childhood, a transient and therefore benign increase in ALP often has been described, usually during a course of infectious disease. Rarely, transient hyperphosphatasemia occurs in adults.

Associations of serum sclerostin and Dickkopf-related protein-1 proteins with future cardiovascular events and mortality in haemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Sclerostin and Dickkopf-related protein-1 (Dkk-1) proteins are inhibitors of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin bone pathway. Sclerostin but not Dkk-1 is associated with increased arterial stiffness. This study examined the prognostic significance of sclerostin and Dkk-1 levels for cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients.

Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an under-recognized clinical entity in men with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and studies on renal transplant recipients, patients on dialysis, and patients starting dialysis report different prevalence rates and severity of ED among these groups.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and severity of ED in patients with ESRD, assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function-15 and International Index of Erectile Function-5.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies assessing the prevalence of ED in ESRD individuals.

Microcirculatory function deteriorates with advancing stages of chronic kidney disease independently of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Endothelial dysfunction and capillary rarefaction are established cardiovascular risk factors. Nailfold video capillaroscopy provides a thorough assessment of capillary density and functional reserve.

New Insights into the Role of FGF-23 and Klotho in Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Alterations of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and Klotho levels are considered to be the earliest biochemical abnormality of chronic kidney disease - mineral and bone disease (CKDMBD) syndrome. Moreover, emerging data suggests that the dysregulated FGF-23 and Klotho axis has many effects on the cardiovascular (CV) system and contributes significantly to the increased CV morbidity and mortality rates of CKD patients. This review examines recent evidence on the role of FGF-23 and Klotho in the development and progression of CV complications of uremia namely cardiac hypertrophy, uremic cardiomyopathy, and atherosclerotic and arteriosclerotic vascular lesions.

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) for erectile dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial assessing the impact of energy flux density (EFD) and frequency of sessions.

The impact of energy flux density (EFD) used on low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) for erectile dysfunction (ED) has not been explored. Our aim was to compare EFD 0.05 versus 0.

Soluble Klotho is associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis.

Background: Klotho is a transmembrane protein acting as a co-receptor for FGF-23 and thus exerts clinical actions on mineral metabolism. The association of secreted Klotho with outcomes in CKD patients is unclear. This study examined the relation between plasma Klotho and cardiovascular events in dialysis patients, accounting for common and CKD-MBD related risk factors, arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists for Nephroprotection: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.

Background: The use of single RAS-blockade is currently the recommended first-line treatment for proteinuric diabetic or non-diabetic nephropathy, as these agents were repeatedly shown in studies with hard renal outcomes to retard the progression of renal injury. However, CKD will continue to progress on optimum single RAS-blockade, and other options to ameliorate renal injury were explored. Dual RAS-blockade was associated with an increased risk of adverse-events with no apparent benefits and, therefore, is currently abandoned.

A Comparative Study of Short-Term Blood Pressure Variability in Hemodialysis Patients with and without Intradialytic Hypertension.

Background: Short-term blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis. Patients with intradialytic hypertension have high risk of adverse outcomes. Whether BPV is increased in these patients is not clear.

Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing 2 Treatment Protocols and the Impact of Repeating Treatment.

Background: There is lack of evidence-based optimization of the protocol for low-intensity shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, the safety and efficacy of repeating shockwave therapy have not been explored.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of 6 and 12 treatment sessions within a 6-week treatment period and investigate the effect of repeat treatment after a 6-month period in a 2-phase study.