Provider use of preventive strategies for radiocontrast nephropathy in high-risk patients.

Background/aims: Radiocontrast nephropathy (RCN) is a common and costly form of acute renal failure. Current preventative strategies include the use of intravenous (IV) fluids and the discontinuation of nephrotoxic medications at the time of radiocontrast administration. We sought to determine whether providers employ these strategies in high-risk patients to limit the development of RCN.

Symptom burden, quality of life, advance care planning and the potential value of palliative care in severely ill haemodialysis patients.

Background: There has been little research on the potential value of palliative care for dialysis patients. In this pilot study, we sought (i) to identify symptom burden, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and advance directives in extremely ill haemodialysis patients to determine their suitability for palliative care and (ii) to determine the acceptability of palliative care to patients and nephrologists.

Methods: Nineteen haemodialysis patients with modified Charlson co-morbidity scores of > or =8 were recruited.

The effects of comorbid conditions on the outcomes of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Purpose: Dialysis patients frequently have comorbid conditions. We examined the effects of age and comorbid conditions on technique failure (i.e.