Feasibility and Safety of Percutaneous Kidney Biopsy in Small Kidneys: Breaking the Paradigm.

Introduction: The percutaneous kidney biopsy (PKB) is an essential tool in nephrology; small kidney size has been a relative contraindication to PKB and there is limited data on the safety and utility of performing PKB in this setting. Our aim was to describe the complications of PKB in small kidneys and to assess if kidney biopsy results have an impact on medical decisions and outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive, and observational study.

Exploring kidney biopsy findings in congenital heart diseases: Insights beyond cyanotic nephropathy.

Background: The association between congenital heart disease and chronic kidney disease is well known. Various mechanisms of kidney damage associated with congenital heart disease have been established. The etiology of kidneydisease has commonly been considered to be secondary to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), however, this has only been demonstrated in case reports and not in observational or clinical trials.

Classification of Acute Rejection Episodes in Kidney Transplantation: a Proposal Based on Factor Analysis.

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is considered the ideal treatment for end-stage renal disease. Acute rejection can influence graft survival. The aim of this study was to propose a classification system for acute rejection based on factor analysis.

A pilot study on the impact of a low fructose diet and allopurinol on clinic blood pressure among overweight and prehypertensive subjects: a randomized placebo controlled trial.

Fructose and sodium intake have been associated with hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Although various mechanisms are involved, fructose causes hypertension partly through rising intracellular and serum uric acid. To date, there are no studies in adults that have evaluated the impact of low fructose diets and allopurinol on prehypertensive and overweight subjects.

Determination of peritoneal phosphate transport as a tool for controlling serum phosphorus.

Background: Hyperphosphataemia (serum phosphorus ≥5.5mg/dl) is an independent mortality factor for the dialysis population. We compared phosphorus, creatinine and urea peritoneal transport to demonstrate differences and indicate the relevance of these parameters in the control of serum phosphorus.

Association between peritoneal protein excretion, peritonitis and D/P phosphate, in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Introduction: There is a relationship between increased transfer of solutes (increased D/P creatinine) and decreased ultrafiltration, increased mortality and risk of technique failure in peritoneal dialysis patients. High rates of solute transport are associated with increased peritoneal protein excretion (PPE) and this has been associated with an increased risk of peritonitis. Our objective was to evaluate the possible association between the PPE, the number of episodes of peritonitis and the D/P phosphate.

Aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism and renal histopathologic changes in kidney transplant patients receiving a calcineurin inhibitor.

Introduction: Aldosterone participates in the pathogenesis of calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity (CIN), producing renal vasoconstriction and transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) expression. The objective of this study was to assess aldosterone polymorphisms and relationships to plasma aldosterone levels and the development of renal histological lesions in kidney transplant patients.

Material And Methods: Patients with kidney graft biopsy were divided according to the presence or absence of CIN.

[Salt-sensitive hypertension].

Individuals with elevated blood pressure are at increased risk for cardiovascular events and death. Almost 50% of essential hypertension is salt-sensitive, this characteristic increases and becomes more prevalent with age. Salt sensitivity has been linked to an increased risk for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, proteinuria, and a blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure ("non-dipping").

[Pharmacologic treatment of patients with arterial hypertension. Parameters to be considered when choosing a therapeutic approach].

The decision to treat, or not treat, uncomplicated mild hypertension should be based on a formal estimate of absolute cardiovascular risk and not on an arbitrary blood pressure threshold. The decision to initiate pharmacologic treatment requires consideration of the degree of blood pressure elevation, the presence of target organ damage, and the presence of clinical cardiovascular disease or other risk factors. Special considerations include demographic characteristics, concomitant diseases that may be beneficially or adversely affected by the antihypertensive agent chosen, quality of life, cost, and use of other drugs that may lead to drug interactions.