Suppression of renal vein renin profiles by mannitol prophylaxis: implications in the evaluation of renovascular hypertension.

Renal arteriography with concomitant renal vein renin profiling remains the diagnostic standard for evaluating the anatomic and physiologic significance of stenotic renal artery lesions in hypertensive patients. False-negative renal vein renin profiles with failure of lateralization in patients with anatomically apparent high-grade stenosis complicate the diagnostic process. Mannitol is frequently administered prophylactically to minimize the risk of dye nephropathy in these patients.

Successful treatment of postparathyroidectomy hypocalcemia using continuous ambulatory intraperitoneal calcium (CAIC) therapy.

Severe, recalcitrant hypocalcemia and hungry bone syndrome can complicate parathyroidectomy in end-stage renal disease patients. Treatment with prolonged and massive doses of intravenous calcium, with calcitriol supplementation, is often necessary, but potentially dangerous and may prolong hospitalization. Three CAPD patients (including 1 with malabsorption) were safely treated by adding 1 to 3 ampules (10-30 mL) of 10% calcium gluconate solution to each bag of dialysate for up to 29 months.

Plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate levels and clinical correlations in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) was measured by a specific method in 45 stable, chronic hemodialysis patients and 13 normal adults. Despite oral pyridoxine supplements (1 to 5 mg/day) a majority (64%) of patients had low levels. The difference between normals (8.