Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging allows non-invasive functional and structural evaluation of diabetic kidney disease.

Background: We sought to develop a novel non-contrast multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) protocol employing several complementary techniques in a single scan session for a comprehensive functional and structural evaluation of diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Methods: In the cross-sectional part of this prospective observational study, 38 subjects ages 18‒79 years with type 2 diabetes and DKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15‒60 mL/min/1.73 m] and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (HVs) underwent mpMRI.

Using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy for Diagnosis of Malnutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5-Is It Useful?

Objective: Malnutrition is common in chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) and has negative clinical impacts. The aim of the present study is to evaluate bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) in diagnosing malnutrition in CKD5 including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients (CKD5D) using cutoff values for fat-free mass index (FFMI) according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used as a reference method.

Results of renal artery revascularization in the post-ASTRAL era with 4 years mean follow-up.

To investigate contemporary results of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). A multicentre retrospective study analysing all patients treated with PTRA for primary symptomatic renal artery stenosis (RAS) between 2010 and 2013 at four tertiary centres. Procedures during the preceding four years were counted to evaluate for change in PTRA frequency.

Renal transplant biopsy complications: assessment of risk factors and potential of desmopressin to decrease risk of hemorrhage.

Background: Renal transplant biopsies are essential in nephrology; however, they are invasive and complications can occur.

Purpose: To explore the risk of transplant kidney biopsy (TxB) complications in relation to possible preventive effects of desmopressin prophylaxis.

Material And Methods: A total of 515 consecutive TxB (375 patients, median age 53 years) were analyzed.

A prospective observational study of iron isomaltoside in haemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease treated for iron deficiency (DINO).

Background: Iron deficiency is frequent in haemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and intravenous iron is an established therapy for these patients. This study assessed treatment routine, effectiveness, and safety of iron isomaltoside (IIM) 5% (Diafer®) in a HD cohort.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 198 HD patients converted from iron sucrose (IS) and treated with IIM according to product label and clinical routine.

Treatment of iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease: A prospective observational study of iron isomaltoside (NIMO Scandinavia) .

Aims: Iron deficiency is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Appropriate iron substitution is critical and intravenous iron is an established therapy for these patients. The objective of this study was to assess treatment routine, -effectiveness, and safety of iron isomaltoside (Monofer, Pharma-cosmos A/S, Holbaek, Denmark) in CKD patients in clinical practice.

Long-term outcome of stenting for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and the effect of angiographic restenosis.

Background: Symptomatic renal artery stenosis (RAS) is mainly treated with pharmacological blood pressure control, sometimes with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). It is unclear if PTRA benefits these patients over time.

Purpose: To determine long-term renal function, morbidity, and mortality in patients with symptomatic RAS treated with PTRA, and whether long-term outcomes are associated with angiographic restenosis.

Split renal function in patients with unilateral atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis-effect of renal angioplasty.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) on split renal function (SRF) in patients with unilateral atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutively examined patients at our centre with significant ARAS undergoing PTRA during 2002-07. A significant ARAS was defined as a lesion with a trans-stenotic mean arterial pressure gradient of at least 10 mmHg or a diameter stenosis >50% on angiography.

Desmopressin (Octostim®) before a native kidney biopsy can reduce the risk for biopsy complications in patients with impaired renal function: A pilot study.

Aim: To evaluate whether the administration of desmopressin alters the risk for renal biopsy complications.

Methods: A multicenter registry containing 576 native kidney biopsies (NKb) with a serum creatinine above 150 μmol/L in 527 patients (372 men and 155 women, median age 61 years) was used. Most of the data were prospective.

Brain natriuretic peptides in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and effects of renal angioplasty.

Background: We hypothesized that plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) would be elevated, and adiponectin concentrations reduced, in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and that BNPs might be used to identify patients who would benefit from percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA).

Methods: Data were collected before renal angiography in 91 patients with hypertension and suspected ARAS (significant ARAS; n=47, and non-RAS; n=44) and in 20 healthy controls (C). In ARAS patients analyses were repeated four weeks after PTRA.

A study of clinical complications and risk factors in 1,001 native and transplant kidney biopsies in Sweden.

Background: In Sweden, native and transplant kidney biopsies are usually performed in major renal medical centers.

Purpose: To clarify risk factors in native and transplant kidney biopsies to improve patient safety.

Material And Methods: A total of 1001 biopsies (in 352 women and 565 men) were included.

Lipoprotein abnormalities in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Background: Patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) have a high risk of cardiovascular death. The primary aim was to characterize abnormalities in apolipoprotein (Apo)-defined lipoprotein (Lp) subclasses in patients with ARVD.

Methods: Baseline measurements were performed on 42 patients with ARVD 4 weeks after renal angioplasty (PTRA).

Achievement of recommended treatment targets for bone and mineral metabolism in haemodialysis patients using paricalcitol: an observational study.

Objective: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common problem among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on haemodialysis. This study was conducted to assess the use, effectiveness and safety of intravenous paricalcitol in haemodialysis patients with various degrees of SHPT.

Material And Methods: This observational, multicentre, prospective study was conducted in 14 Swedish dialysis centres from May 2007 to June 2008 and included 92 haemodialysis patients with a diagnosis of SHPT associated with CKD.

Accuracy of colour duplex sonography for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis.

Objective: To examine the diagnostic value of novel velocimetric colour duplex sonography indices in the screening of renal artery stenosis (RAS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutively studied patients at our centre with suspected RAS, and a colour duplex sonography carried out at less than 4 months (mean 34 days) before renal angiography during a 6-year period (2002-2007). A significant RAS was defined as an at least 60% stenosis on angiography or a transstenotic mean arterial pressure gradient of at least 10 mmHg or both.

Variations in graft and patient survival after kidney transplantation in Sweden: caveats in interpretation of center effects when benchmarking.

Benchmarking and comparisons between transplantation centers are becoming more common. A crude comparison indicated a 50% difference in patient survival between centers in Sweden. A 'task group' was formed to refute or confirm and learn from this observation.

Survival and quality of life after renal angioplasty: a five-year follow-up study.

Objective: Renal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) treatment of renal artery stenosis has been performed worldwide since 1978, but it is still a matter of debate as to what extent the patients benefit from the procedure in terms of quality of life and long-term survival.

Material And Methods: Of 139 patients referred for renal angioplasty owing to hypertension or pending uraemia, 105 were subsequently treated with PTA. Eighty-eight patients survived for 5 years.

Renal angioplasty causes a rapid transient increase in inflammatory biomarkers, but reduced levels of interleukin-6 and endothelin-1 1 month after intervention.

Objective: To examine prospectively whether inflammatory biomarkers and endothelin (ET)-1 are increased in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS), and to investigate how treatment with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) affects these variables during the first month after intervention.

Methods: One hundred patients with suspected RAS undergoing renal angiography were included. PTRA was performed if the trans-stenotic mean arterial pressure gradient was>or=10 mmHg.

Baroreflex effectiveness index and baroreflex sensitivity predict all-cause mortality and sudden death in hypertensive patients with chronic renal failure.

Objectives: Impaired arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has been associated with cardiac mortality and non-fatal cardiac arrests after a myocardial infarction. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) have a poor prognosis because of cardiovascular diseases, and sudden death is common. The aim of this study was to assess whether BRS or the baroreflex effectiveness index (BEI), a novel index reflecting the number of times the baroreflex is active in controlling the heart rate in response to blood pressure fluctuations, is associated with prognosis in CRF.