Safely reducing haemodialysis frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) are at higher risk of developing worse outcomes if they contract COVID-19. In our renal service we reduced HD frequency from thrice to twice-weekly in selected patients with the primary aim of reducing COVID 19 exposure and transmission between HD patients.

Methods: Dialysis unit nephrologists identified 166 suitable patients (38.

Presentation of laboratory test results in patient portals: influence of interface design on risk interpretation and visual search behaviour.

Background: Patient portals are considered valuable instruments for self-management of long term conditions, however, there are concerns over how patients might interpret and act on the clinical information they access. We hypothesized that visual cues improve patients' abilities to correctly interpret laboratory test results presented through patient portals. We also assessed, by applying eye-tracking methods, the relationship between risk interpretation and visual search behaviour.

Transperitoneal Enucleation of a Kidney Transplant Allograft Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Development of malignancy after solid-organ trans?lant is a well-known long-term complication of immunosuppressive therapy. Thus far, there are no specific oncologic recommendations regarding management of de novo tumors in transplanted kidneys. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old male patient who developed a de novo renal cell carcinoma 6 years after the transplant procedure.

Complications and outcomes of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole as chemoprophylaxis for pneumocystis pneumonia in renal transplant recipients.

Background: Following a pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) outbreak in our nephrology unit, all transplant patients were offered chemoprophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) as the first line agent. A high rate of complications was noted. We aimed to quantify TMP-SMX associated adverse events and evaluate its prophylactic benefit in their light.

Rituximab for rescue and maintenance therapy in rapidly progressive life-threatening antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated systemic vasculitis.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitides (AASV) consists of small-vessel systemic inflammatory disorders which commonly affect the kidneys and without treatment have a poor prognosis. Rituximab is a novel biological agent which is being used experimentally in the management of AASV. This report presents the case of a young woman with rapidly progressive life-threatening AASV.

Role of renal function and cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP and Troponin) in determining mortality and cardiac outcome in atheromatous renovascular disease.

Background And Aims: Patients with atheromatous renovascular disease (ARVD) have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The cardiac markers N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin (cTnT) are easily measured, yet not widely used in renal patients as they are thought to be inaccurate in renal disease. We aimed to see if these markers could be used as prognostic indicators of cardiovascular events (CVEs) and death in ARVD.

Determinants of renal functional outcome in lupus nephritis: a single centre retrospective study.

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a rare disease but is the strongest predictor of poor outcome in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). It is associated with significant morbidity, with 10-20% of patients developing end stage renal failure. As there is a paucity of randomized clinical trial data in LN, and no consistent literature regarding baseline factors that predict renal outcome, we were prompted to analyse our centre's complete experience of managing LN.

Serious adverse incidents with the usage of low molecular weight heparins in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The aim of the study is to describe serious adverse events in patients with renal insufficiency administered low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs).

Methods: Systematic case note review from July 2002 to March 2003, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK, was used.

Results: Ten patients experienced an adverse incident on LMWH therapy.

Serum troponin T measurement in patients with chronic renal impairment predicts survival and vascular disease: a 2 year prospective study.

Background: Cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal failure patients is high and early risk stratification in these patients may aid clinical management improving outcomes. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is a component of the cardiac myocyte which is released into the circulation following myocardial necrosis. It has been shown to be of prognostic significance in patients with unstable angina.