Management of pain at arteriovenous fistula puncture: Cryotherapy versus lidocaine/prilocaine.

Pain at arteriovenous fistula (AVF) puncture is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of our work is to determine its frequency, to evaluate the efficiency of two techniques: anesthetic cream (Emla™) and cryotherapy, and to compare their efficiency. A prospective and interventional analytical study of HD patients was conducted in our structure.

Autodialysis in Morocco: how much longer can we wait?

Introduction: Autodialysis is the dialysis performed by the patient himself at a local center instead of a hemodialysis center. In Morocco, the practice of hemodialysis dates back to 1970; however, an autodialysis center does not yet exist. The objective was to assess the potential medical fitness and adherence of the patients to an autodialysis program.

Pulmonary hypertension: prevalence and risk factors.

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), defined as a systolic pulmonary artery pressure above 35 mm Hg, is another vascular disease entity recently described in patients receiving hemodialysis. It is a major problem due to its high prevalence and morbidity and mortality. Its pathophysiological mechanism is just known and the strategies for its supported not yet defined.

[Valvular calcifications in a patient on hemodialysis in Morocco].

Introduction: Valvular calcifications are one of the major cardiovascular complications of hemodialysis because of its prevalence and its predictive indices of morbidity and mortality. There are many risk factors associated with these calcifications. Our study aims to evaluate both the prevalence of valvular calcifications in our patients on hemodialysis and their risk factors.

[Falls among hemodialysis patients: Incidence and risk factors].

Falls and mineral and bones disorders are both implicated in the occurrence of pathological fractures in patients undergoing chronic dialysis. However, data on falls among this population are rare. We carried out a prospective study during four weeks and included 70 patients on chronic hemodialysis with the main objectives being to evaluate the incidence of falls and factors related to it.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and systemic lupus erythematosus: a rare and life-threatening association.

Introduction: The association between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is uncommon. Diagnosis is often difficult because of their clinical and biological similarities. The presence of TTP in SLE worsens the prognosis and causes high mortality in the absence of early therapeutic interventions.

Optimizing hypertension control in hemodialysis patients: a proposed management strategy.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the efficiency of a goal-oriented therapeutic strategy in lowering blood pressure and reducing the need for antihypertensive medications in 168 patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

Methods: Patients were managed initially by achieving optimal dry weight. After reduction of the dry weight, patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension were dialyzed using a 1.

[Acute renal failure secondary to the transurethral resection of the prostate syndrome].

Objective: Complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) related to hypotonicity and hypervolemia were well described in the literature. However acute renal failure, known to be a clinical presentation of some TURP syndromes was less discussed.

Methods: We report a case of oliguric acute renal failure as a major complication after TURP, with a discussion of a possible mechanism for the disorder.

Chronic lead poisoning: a "forgotten" cause of renal disease.

Chronic lead nephropathy occurs as a result of years of lead exposure. Nowadays, with the induction of high standards for industrial hygiene, symptomatic lead intoxication has become extremely rare. We report a case of chronic lead nephropathy in a 59-year-old man who worked in a battery-recycling unit and was diagnosed with plumbism during a regular health screening few years ago.

Heart valve calcifications in patients with end-stage renal disease: analysis for risk factors.

Background: The prevalence of valve calcification (VC) in end-stage renal disease patients is high and information regarding risk factors is scarce. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of VC in our maintenance haemodialysis (HD) population and to examine some possible aetiologic factors for its occurrence.

Methods: We studied 90 patients (47 women) on maintenance HD for more than 12 months.

Analysis of vascular access in hemodialysis patients: a report from a dialysis unit in Casablanca.

Vascular access (VA) for patients needing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) remains a major obstacle in the management of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We retrospectively analyzed 190 patients, (92 males and 98 females) who had been on HD for a period ranging from 12 to 240 months. Their mean age was 42.

Doppler echocardiograph evaluation of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been reported in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but data regarding its incidence and mechanisms are scarce. The aims of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of unexplained PH in long-term HD patients, and to examine some possible etiologic factors for its occurrence. The prevalence of PH was estimated by Doppler echocardiography in a cohort of 86 stable patients on HD via arteriovenous access for more than 12 months.