Genetic studies in isolated bilateral clubfoot detected by prenatal ultrasound.

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of genetic investigations in case of isolated bilateral clubfoot detected by routine prenatal ultrasound. Pathogenic Copy Number Variations is about 3.9% in fetuses with isolated clubfoot (uni- or bilateral).

Improving clinical processes: one dialysis facility's experiences.

Northeast Louisiana Dialysis Center implemented continuous quality improvement (CQI) to improve the quality of care delivered to end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated by hemodialysis in their facility. The unit chose to address normalization of calcium and phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH), anemia, nutrition, adequacy of dialysis and dialyzer reuse as well as performance benchmarks by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) core indicators. This article presents the results obtained and the methodology used in this improvement effort.

Use of the spiral vein graft as an arterial substitute for secondary access.

A 30-year-old black male with end-stage renal disease of 8 years' duration had undergone 16 prior access operations and was still without an adequate access for dialysis. A spiral saphenous vein graft conduit was constructed from the left saphenous vein and used as a straight arterial conduit graft between the superficial femoral artery at Hunter's canal and the saphenofemoral vein junction in the groin. The spiral vein graft tube was used as the sole means of dialysis for the next consecutive 750 dialysis procedures over nearly 6 years without any complication.

Superiority of the internal jugular over the subclavian access for temporary dialysis.

We studied angiographically the access route 1-27 months after the insertion temporary dialysis catheters in 52 patients: 32 subclavian and 20 internal jugular. The two groups were statistically similar with respect to age, sex and race. The subclavian catheters were left in for a mean of 11.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase in patients with chronic renal failure.

Because of the suggestion that intestinal alkaline phosphatase was elevated in the serum of patients with chronic renal failure, we studied the serum of 42 patients undergoing hemodialysis with elevated enzyme activity. Using a sensitive and specific electroimmunoassay for the intestinal isoenzyme, 26 of 42 serum samples were positive, compared with 3 of 25 samples obtained from hospitalized patients with elevated phosphatase activity. The fractional amount of this isoenzyme was also higher, ranging from 1.

Axillary artery to iliac vein vascular access using an externally supported prosthetic graft. A new procedure for the recalcitrant secondary access patient.

The axillary artery-iliac vein graft using externally supported PTFE is a viable option for this difficult patient group. It is capable of functioning well for up to 12 months. Most importantly, despite numerous prior access procedures, the axillary artery and iliac vein in each case were amenable to the procedure.

Exercise training reduces depression and increases the performance of pleasant activities in hemodialysis patients.

This study compares the effects of a structured exercise training program to the therapeutic benefits of a 'support' group on the depressed mood and reduced performance of pleasant activities by hemodialysis patients. After 6 months of an aerobic exercise training program, the 10 exercisers showed a significant increase in maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and a significant decrease in dysphoric mood when compared to 7 patients attending the support group. Support group participants reported a significant decrease in pleasant activities while there was no change in the exercisers.

Does strict phosphorus control precipitate renal osteomalacia?

Hyperphosphatemia leads to the development of osteitis fibrosa in patients with chronic renal failure. In contrast, crippling osteomalacia may appear in uremic patients who are hypophosphatemic or aluminum intoxicated or who undergo total or subtotal parathyroidectomy. Thus, strict phosphorus control by use of aluminum-containing gels may ameliorate renal osteitis fibrosa, but may potentiate the development of osteomalacia.

Comparison of the effects of prazosin versus propranolol on plasma lipoprotein lipids in patients receiving hemodialysis.

A prospective, crossover study was used to evaluate the effects of prazosin and propranolol on lipid metabolism in 10 hypertensive patients receiving long-term hemodialysis therapy. Adequate blood pressure control was achieved with either agent (mean predialysis blood pressure was 144/77 mm Hg). Total triglyceride levels increased by 27 +/- 4 percent during propranolol therapy but decreased during prazosin therapy by 8 +/- 2 percent (p less than 0.

Exercise training reduces coronary risk and effectively rehabilitates hemodialysis patients.

This study examines the effects of 12 months of endurance exercise training (cycling, walking and jogging) on lipid profiles, glucose metabolism, blood pressure, anemia and psychological function in 14 hemodialysis patients. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) increased 18% in the exercisers (p less than 0.01), but did not change in 11 controls.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic renal failure.

Endoscopy to evaluate upper gastrointestinal bleeding was done for 482 patients over a 42-month period. Fifty-nine patients (12%) had chronic renal failure and upper gastrointestinal bleeding; the remaining 423 did not have renal failure. Angiodysplasia of the stomach or duodenum was the most frequent source of bleeding in patients with renal failure.

Muscle protein turnover: effects of exercise training and renal insufficiency.

Chronic renal failure is associated with an enhanced catabolism of muscle protein. To determine the effect of exercise training and moderate renal insufficiency on net protein catabolism and protein synthesis in isolated epitrochlearis muscles, three-fourth nephrectomized and control rats were exercise trained or remained sedentary. Net muscle protein degradation was determined by measuring the rates of release of phenylalanine and tyrosine.

Abnormal cell-interactive properties of low-density lipoproteins isolated from patients with chronic renal failure.

Patients with renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis have accelerated rate of atherosclerosis. This, and the fact that chemically modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL) have a better capacity than native LDL to stimulate cholesteryl ester accumulation within macrophages in the vessel wall, led us to examine the possibility that some alteration in apo-LDL may take place in chronically uremic patients. We isolated LDL (d = 1.

Endurance exercise training. An effective therapeutic modality for hemodialysis patients.

These results demonstrate that some of the metabolic complications of chronic uremia treated with maintenance hemodialysis are related to the deterioration in physical fitness and strength that accompanies this chronic disease. Exercise training increased the physical work capacity, improved the lipid profile, normalized insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, and lowered the dose of antihypertensive medications required by some of the patients. These changes occurred in the absence of significant changes in diet or body weight.

Marked suppression of secondary hyperparathyroidism by intravenous administration of 1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol in uremic patients.

Current evidence suggests that administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 to patients with chronic renal insufficiency results in suppression of secondary hyperparathyroidism only if hypercalcemia occurs. However, since the parathyroid glands possess specific receptors for 1,25(OH)2D3 and a calcium binding protein, there is considerable interest in a possible direct effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion independent of changes in serum calcium. Recent findings indicate substantial degradation of 1,25(OH)2D3 in the intestine, therefore, it is possible that while oral administration of the vitamin D metabolite increases intestinal calcium absorption, the delivery of 1,25(OH)2D3 to peripheral target organs may be limited.

Unmasking artifactual increases in creatine kinase isoenzymes in patients with renal failure.

Previous reports have suggested that creatine kinase isoenzymes are elevated in patients with chronic renal failure and thus are less useful in the evaluation of chest pain in such patients. Our data in 88 patients with chronic renal failure receiving maintenance dialysis confirm this observation for total plasma creatine kinase. However, elevations in MB and BB creatine kinase, although statistically significant, were biologically unimpressive (5.

Cardiovascular and metabolic responses to submaximal exercise in hemodialysis patients.

Eight chronic hemodialysis (cHD) patients and six healthy sedentary controls (C) were exercised for 60 minutes at 52 +/- 8% (cHD patients) and 48 +/- 4% (C) of their maximal oxygen consumption levels. Plasma lactate levels at rest and during exercise were comparable in both groups. Respiratory exchange ratios were lower in cHD patients, but they increased during exercise to levels comparable to those of the C group.

Effects of prazosin and propranolol on blood pressure and plasma lipids in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Twenty patients receiving hemodialysis who had mild to moderate hypertension were treated with prazosin or propranolol to control predialysis hypertension. Effective blood pressure control was achieved with prazosin (mean dose 8.3 +/- 2.