[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura - a rare diagnosis].

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) characterized by a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia, due to platelet consumption. Microthrombi form in small vessels, leading to organ ischemia, most commonly in the central nervous system (CNS). The pathophysiology of TTP is related to a deficiency of ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13), an enzyme that cleaves the von Willebrand multimer.

Validating a Simplified Lung Ultrasound Protocol for Detection and Quantification of Pulmonary Edema in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Objectives: Pulmonary edema is a common clinical problem and lung ultrasound (LUS) presents an efficient method for evaluating this pathology. This study aims to investigate if a clinically efficient LUS protocol can quantify the level of extravascular lung fluid in patients receiving hemodialysis, and to develop a simplified B-line scoring system based on this protocol.

Methods: A simple 8-area LUS approach was used for the assessment of the extravascular fluid status in patients before, during, and after receiving hemodialysis.

High doses of cholecalciferol alleviate the progression of hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD Stages 3-4: results of a 12-week double-blind, randomized, controlled study.

Background: Calcidiol insufficiency may accelerate the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). We tested the effect of a substantial increase in calcidiol on mineral metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Ninety-five patients with CKD Stages 3-4, parathyroid hormone (PTH) above 6.