Feasibility, safety, and tolerability of two modalities of plasma exchange with albumin replacement to treat elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease in the AMBAR study.

Background: In the Alzheimer Management by Albumin Replacement (AMBAR) study, mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients were treated with a plasma exchange (PE) program. Feasibility and safety of PE in this specific population are poorly understood and were analyzed in detail in this study.

Methods: Qualified patients were treated with 6 weeks of weekly conventional therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with albumin replacement followed by monthly low-volume plasma exchange (LVPE) for 12 months.

Neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and quality-of-life assessments in Alzheimer's disease patients treated with plasma exchange with albumin replacement from the randomized AMBAR study.

Introduction: We report the effects of plasma exchange (PE) with albumin replacement on neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in a phase 2b/3 trial (Alzheimer's Management by Albumin Replacement [AMBAR] study).

Methods: Three hundred forty-seven patients were randomized into placebo (sham-PE) and three PE-treatment arms with low/high doses of albumin, with/without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Specific test measurements were performed at baseline; month 2 (weekly conventional PE); months 6, 9, and 12 (monthly low-volume PE [LVPE]); and month 14.

Secondary antibody deficiency is associated with development of infection in kidney transplantation: Results of a multicenter study.

Background: We performed a multicenter study to assess the association between secondary antibody deficiency (immunoglobulin G [IgG] hypogammaglobulinemia combined with low levels of specific antibodies) and development of infection in kidney transplantation.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed 250 adult kidney recipients at four centers. The assessment points were before transplantation and 7 and 30 days after transplantation.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial of plasma exchange with albumin replacement for Alzheimer's disease: Primary results of the AMBAR Study.

Introduction: This phase 2b/3 trial examined the effects of plasma exchange (PE) in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Three hundred forty-seven patients (496 screened) were randomized (1:1:1:1) into three PE treatment arms with different doses of albumin and intravenous immunoglobulin replacement (6-week period of weekly conventional PE followed by a 12-month period of monthly low-volume PE), and placebo (sham).

Results: PE-treated patients performed significantly better than placebo for the co-primary endpoints: change from baseline of Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL; P = .

COVID-19: clinical course and outcomes of 36 hemodialysis patients in Spain.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence about the optimal management of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and even less is available in patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy than in the general population. In this retrospective, observational, single-center study, we analyzed the clinical course and outcomes of all maintenance hemodialysis patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from March 12th to April 10th, 2020 as confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Plasma exchange in acute attacks of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system: clinical outcomes and predictors of response.

Background: Plasma exchange (PLEX) is a therapeutic option in the treatment of acute attacks of Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System (DDCNS). Factors related with PLEX response are not well established.

Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study.

Efficacy of Evolocumab vs low-density lipoprotein cholesterol apheresis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and high cardiovascular risk (EVOLAFER01).

Unlabelled: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis has been considered the last option to treat refractory hyperlipidemia in patients with familiar hypercholesterolemia (FH). Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody which has shown significant reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) serum levels and cardiovascular events. The aim of the study was to examine the comparative impact of LDL-apheresis vs Evolocumab vs the combination of both LDL-apheresis and Evolocumab on lipid and lipoprotein parameters, and other metabolic/inflammatory measures.

Donor-derived invasive aspergillosis after kidney transplant.

The risk of transmission of infectious diseases from allograft to recipient is well known. Viruses and bacteria are the most frequent causes of transmissible infections. Donor-derived invasive aspergillosis is rare and occurred under particular circumstances.

Efficacy and Safety of Plasma Exchange with 5% Albumin to Modify Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Amyloid-β Concentrations and Cognition Outcomes in Alzheimer's Disease Patients: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Studies conducted in animal models and humans suggest the presence of a dynamic equilibrium of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma compartments.

Objective: To determine whether plasma exchange (PE) with albumin replacement was able to modify Aβ concentrations in CSF and plasma as well as to improve cognition in patients with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, patient- and rater-blind, controlled, parallel-group, phase II study, 42 AD patients were assigned (1 : 1) to PE treatment or control (sham) groups.

Mineral metabolism disorders, vertebral fractures and aortic calcifications in stable kidney transplant recipients: The role of gender (EMITRAL study).

Background And Objectives: The relationship between mineral metabolism disorders, bone fractures and vascular calcifications in kidney transplant recipients has not been established.

Method: We performed a cross-sectional study in 727 stable recipients from 28 Spanish transplant clinics. Mineral metabolism parameters, the semi-quantification of vertebral fractures and abdominal aortic calcifications were determined centrally.

Double filtration plasmapheresis in the treatment of pancreatitis due to severe hypertriglyceridemia.

Background: Severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) leads to major complications such as acute pancreatitis. Lipoprotein apheresis has been proposed as a therapeutic tool for decreasing triglyceride levels, although experience is limited.

Objective: To describe our experience with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) in patients with severe HTG and pancreatitis in the plasmapheresis unit of a tertiary hospital in Spain.

Predictive value of superficial cultures to anticipate tunneled hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection.

We performed a prospective study in patients with tunneled catheters to assess the validity of Gram stain and superficial culture for anticipating catheter exit-site infection and hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection. The sensitivity and negative predictive value were high, and we succeeded in identifying a subpopulation at low risk of infection.

Risk factors for graft loss and mortality after renal transplantation according to recipient age: a prospective multicentre study.

Background: To describe the causes of graft loss, patient death and survival figures in kidney transplant patients in Spain based on the recipient's age.

Methods: The results at 5 years of post-transplant cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, taken from a database on CVD, were prospectively analysed, i.e.

[Therapeutic plasmapheresis and experience in Alzheimer's disease].

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND AND STUDY DEVELOPMENT: Therapeutic apheresis is a treatment strategy aimed at removing and eliminating from blood those substances that are considered pathogenically responsible for a disease or its clinical manifestations. In a therapeutic plasmapheresis (plasma exchange), a volume of circulating plasma is extracted and usually substituted by a 5% albumin solution or, exceptionally, by fresh plasma. Beta-amyloid peptide (Alphabeta) is the main proteinaceous component of the extracellular senile plaque found in the brain parenchyma involved in memory function.

Early statin use is an independent predictor of long-term graft survival.

Background. Statin use in renal transplantation has been associated with a lower risk of patient death but not with an improvement of graft functional survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of statin use in graft survival, death-censored graft survival and patient survival using the data recorded on the Spanish Late Allograft Dysfunction Study Group.

Amyloid-targeted therapeutics in Alzheimer's disease: use of human albumin in plasma exchange as a novel approach for Abeta mobilization.

A clinical investigation program was carried out to replace endogenous albumin of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) with 5% Human Albumin Grifols(R) through a plasma exchange (PE) schedule, in order to alter the dynamic equilibrium between albumin-bound Abeta in plasma and Abeta in cerebrospinal fluid. In a pilot proof-of-concept study, 7 patients underwent 6 PE in 3 weeks and 1 year of follow-up. Plasma Abeta determinations demonstrated a variation pattern in levels in relation with the PEs.

Health-related quality of life of patients receiving low-toxicity immunosuppressive regimens: a substudy of the Symphony Study.

Objective: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with different low-toxicity regimens posttransplantation.

Methods: One hundred fifty-six patients were randomized to standard-dose cyclosporine A (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids or daclizumab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids with a low dose of CsA, tacrolimus (Low-Tac), or sirolimus. SF-36 Health survey was completed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Renal transplantation in the modern immunosuppressive era in Spain: four-year results from a multicenter database focus on post-transplant cardiovascular disease.

To evaluate cardiovascular disease (CVD) after renal transplantation we established a CVD database (no-intervention) including all patients transplanted among 2000-2002 in 14 hospitals from Spain (Renal Forum Group) (n=2600). They were prospective followed annually thereafter and we present herein the most important results concerning survival figures and CVD at four years. Mean recipient age was 49.

Renoprotective effects of losartan in renal transplant recipients. Results of a retrospective study.

Background/aims: Chronic allograft nephropathy is the main cause of late graft loss and nonimmunological factors, including hypertension and proteinuria, the principal etiological factors. In this context, blockage of the renin-angiotensin system could be helpful. The aim of the present study was to review the renoprotective efficacy of losartan in a large group of renal transplant patients undergoing long-term follow-up.

Hepatic and systemic haemodynamic changes after MARS in patients with acute on chronic liver failure.

Hyperdynamic circulation and portal hypertension characterize acute on chronic liver failure (AoCLF), partially because of circulating mediators. Molecular Absorbents Recirculating System (MARS) may remove some of these substances. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of MARS on portal pressure, systemic haemodynamic and endogenous vasoactive systems.