Skeletal muscle size and quality in healthy kidney donors, normal range and clinical associations.

The gold standard to estimate muscle mass and quality is computed tomography (CT) scan. Lower mass and density (intramuscular fat infiltration) of skeletal muscles are markers of sarcopenia, associated with increased mortality risk, impaired physical function, and poorer prognosis across various populations and medical conditions. We aimed to describe standard reference values in healthy population, prospective kidney donors, and correlate clinical parameters to muscle mass and density.

Reduction of peritoneal dialysis associated infections using a novel exit-site care practice.

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections are a significant obstacle leading to PD discontinuation. Since catheter related infections (CRI), defined as exit site infections and/or tunnel infection, can progress to peritonitis, vigorous efforts are implemented in CRI prevention. Following an increased CRI rate in our institution, partially related to environmental organisms found in water distribution systems, we hypothesized that exit site care that includes prevention of water exposure-related pathogens may reduce CRI.

Long-Term Outcomes of Nephrectomy Before Kidney Transplantation in Patients With Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Background: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disorder. In most patients, the disease progresses to end stage kidney disease, which is treated preferably by kidney transplantation. In certain clinical circumstances, a pretransplant nephrectomy is indicated.

Heart failure with improved ejection fraction: patient characteristics, clinical outcomes and predictors for improvement.

Background: Heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) is a recently recognized entity presenting a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Our aim was to characterize the profile of HFimpEF patients and evaluate predictors for EF lack of improvement among heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients.

Methods: We included ambulatory HFrEF patients (EF≤40%) between January 1, 2015, and September 1, 2022, with two consecutive echocardiography exams at least 6 months apart.

Temporal trends in acute decompensated heart failure outcomes: A single-center 11-year retrospective analysis.

Background: Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) is associated with frequent hospitalizations, posing a significant health and economic burden globally. Despite advancements in heart failure management, studies delineating temporal trends in ADHF outcomes are sparse.Methods: in this retrospective analysis, ADHF patients admitted to Shamir Medical Center from 2007 to 2017 were categorized into two cohorts: early (2007-2011) and recent (2012-2017).

Use of lung ultrasound to assess volume status and its association with physical examination in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Defining the optimal hydration status in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is challenging, and the quest for an objective accurate method continues. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a well-validated technique to estimate volume status. Previous studies examining the relationship between LUS and physical examination demonstrated conflicting results.

Inflammation-Associated Tubulopathy in Patients with Acute Bacterial Infections.

Background: Acute kidney injury associated with the underlying inflammatory process of an acute bacterial infection affects patient morbidity and mortality. Clinicians use creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) to assess this renal injury, however, these measures may lag behind and change only once significant kidney injury has occurred. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is up-regulated by inflammation and infection and may serve as an early detection biomarker of kidney injury.

The safety of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and trends in clinical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Background: The safety and impact of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent LVAD Heart Mate 3 (HM3) implantation at a single medical center and received SGLT2-I therapy following surgery was conducted. LVAD parameters, medical therapy, laboratory tests, echocardiography, and right heart catheterization (RHC) study results were recorded and compared before and after initiation of SGLT2-I.

Single versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in patients with impaired renal function.

Objective: The optimal strategy for surgical revascularization in patients with impaired renal function is inconclusive. We compared early and late outcomes between bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) and single ITA (SITA) grafting in patients with renal dysfunction.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all the patients with multivessel disease and impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60mL/min/1.

The Long-Term Outcome of Kidney Transplant Recipients in the Eighth Decade Compared With Recipients in the Seventh Decade of Life.

Background: With the aging of the population, more older patients are being considered for kidney transplantation; therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the risks and benefits of transplantation in this population. This study aimed to assess long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in a cohort of patients who underwent kidney transplantation at age >70 years, compared with patients aged 60 to 69 years at transplantation.

Methods: Included in the study were 261 consecutive kidney transplant recipients: 52 were aged >70 years, and 209 were aged 60 to 69 years at transplantation.

The Clinical Significance of LDL-Cholesterol on the Outcomes of Hemodialysis Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

: Dyslipidemia is one of the most important modifiable risk factors in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in the general population, but its importance in the hemodialysis (HD) population is uncertain. : This retrospective cohort study includes HD patients hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the period 2015-2020 with lipid profile data during ACS. A control group with preserved kidney function was matched.

Renal Tubular CD24 Upregulation Aggravates Folic Acid Induced Acute Kidney Injury: A Possible Role for T Regulatory Cells Inhibition in Mice.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by cell death and inflammation. CD24 is a protein induced during tissue damage and is not expressed in mature renal tissue. We explored the role of CD24 in the pathogenesis of folic acid-induced AKI (FA-AKI) in mice.

Significance of Anteroseptal Late Gadolinium Enhancement Among Patients With Acute Myocarditis.

Anteroseptal location of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with acute myocarditis (AM) detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance may indicate an independent marker of unfavorable outcomes according to recent data. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and inhospital outcomes in patients with AM with positive LGE based on its presence in the anteroseptal location. We analyzed data from 262 consecutive patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of AM with positive LGE within 5 days of hospitalization (n = 425).

[KIDNEY FUNCTION AFTER LIVING KIDNEY DONATION AND PARAMETERS ASSOCIATED WITH IT].

Introduction: Following nephrectomy for the purpose of kidney donation, the donor has an inevitably reduced renal mass and function. Living kidney donors exhibit a higher risk of end stage renal disease, but the absolute risk is low.

Aims: To assess the changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after living donation, and assess the parameters associated with it.

Medical cannabis for pain management in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis: randomized, double-blind, cross-over, feasibility study.

Background: Chronic pain is prevalent but difficult to treat in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Effective and safe analgesics are limited in this patient population. Our aim in this feasibility study was to evaluate the safety of sublingual oil based medical cannabis for pain management in patients undergoing HD.

The burden of heart failure in cardiac intensive care unit: a prospective 7 years analysis.

Aims: The profiles of patients at cardiac intensive care units (CICU) have evolved towards a patient population with an increasing number of co-morbid medical conditions and acute heart failure (HF). The current study was designed to illustrate the burden of HF patients admitted to CICU, and evaluate patient characteristics, in-hospital course and outcomes of CICU patients with HF compared with patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods And Results: A prospective study including all consecutive patients admitted to the CICU at a tertiary medical centre between 2014 and 2020.

The Use of Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Decision-supporting Tool in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Most dyspneic patients in internal medicine departments have co-morbidities that interfere with the clinical diagnosis. The role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels is well-established in the acute setting but not in hospitalized patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the additive value of BNP tests in patients with dyspnea admitted to medical wards who did not respond to initial treatment.

Sex related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of heart failure: A sub analysis of heart failure disease management study.

Aims: This is a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial on heart failure (HF) disease management (DM) in which patients with HF ( = 1,360; 27.5% women) were assigned randomly to DM ( = 682) or usual care (UC) ( = 678). Study intervention did not significantly affect the rate of hospital admissions or mortality.