Standardizing Blood Pressure Measurements in Pediatric Hemodialysis: a Collaborative Journey.

Purpose Of Review: This manuscript details the development and execution of a quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed at standardizing blood pressure (BP) measurement practices in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) units across a national dialysis collaborative.

Recent Findings: Although there are recommendations for the detection and treatment of hypertension in the pediatric population, currently there is no data or recommendations specific to the methodology of measuring blood pressure in a pediatric hemodialysis setting. In 2016, the Standardizing Care to Improve Outcomes in Pediatric End Stage Kidney Disease (SCOPE) Collaborative assembled a dedicated working group to thoroughly examine BP measurement practices across participating pediatric HD centers and, drawing from current research, to establish a standardized best practice for BP measurement in pediatric HD patients both in-center and at home.

Good outcomes for arteriovenous fistula with buttonhole cannulation for chronic hemodialysis in children and adolescents.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred access for chronic hemodialysis (HD) in children and adolescents, but central venous catheter use is still high.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of children and adolescents with AVF created between January 2003 and December 2015 was performed to assess primary failure (PF), maturation time, functional primary and functional cumulative patency, and potential risk factors for AVF dysfunction.

Results: Ninety-nine AVF were created in 79 patients (54% male; 7-24 years; 16-147 kg) by experienced surgeons.

Facilitators of and Barriers to Lifestyle Support and eHealth Solutions: Interview Study Among Health Care Professionals Working in Cardiac Care.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant health threat and reduce both people's life expectancy and quality of life. Healthy living is a key component in the effective prevention and treatment of CVD. However, health care professionals (HCPs) experience difficulties in supporting lifestyle changes among their patients.

Preserved Cerebral Oxygenation with Worsening Global Myocardial Strain during Pediatric Chronic Hemodialysis.

Background: Cerebral and myocardial hypoperfusion occur during hemodialysis in adults. Pediatric patients receiving chronic hemodialysis have fewer cardiovascular risk factors, yet cardiovascular morbidity remains prominent.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of pediatric patients receiving chronic hemodialysis to investigate whether intermittent hemodialysis is associated with adverse end organ effects in the heart or with cerebral oxygenation (regional tissue oxyhemoglobin saturation [rSO2]).

Financial Incentives for Healthy Living for Patients With Cardiac Disease From the Perspective of Health Care Professionals: Interview Study.

Background: A promising new approach to support lifestyle changes in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the use of financial incentives. Although financial incentives have proven to be effective, their implementation remains controversial, and ethical objections have been raised. It is unknown whether health care professionals (HCPs) involved in CVD care find it acceptable to provide financial incentives to patients with CVD as support for lifestyle change.

Left ventricular strain and left atrial strain are impaired during hemodialysis in children.

We aimed to investigate intradialytic changes in ventricular and atrial function using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in pediatric hemodialysis (HD). Children with HD vintage > 3 months were enrolled, and echocardiography was performed prior to, during, and after HD. STE was analyzed using GE EchoPAC.

Correlation of Venous Oxygen Saturations from Noninvasive Hematocrit Monitoring Using Blood Gas Measured Oximetry in Chronic Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients.

Introduction: Noninvasive hematocrit monitoring (NIVHM) during pediatric hemodialysis (pedHD) provides data in real time regarding changes in hematocrit and blood volume and also provides venous oxygen saturations. The latter has been proposed to indicate changes in tissue oxygen consumption. It is not known how well NIVHM oxygen saturations (O2sat) approximate blood gas measured oximetry saturation (mO2sat) in the course of pedHD.

Cinacalcet for secondary hyperparathyroidism in end-stage renal disease patients below age 5 years .

Background: Management of chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is challenging. While the use of calcimimetics is well-studied in adults on dialysis, few studies have been performed in pediatrics. Little is known about the use of cinacalcet in young children with ESRD.

The effectiveness of various computer-based interventions for patients with chronic pain or functional somatic syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Computer-based interventions target improvement of physical and emotional functioning in patients with chronic pain and functional somatic syndromes. However, it is unclear to what extent which interventions work and for whom. This systematic review and meta-analysis (registered at PROSPERO, 2016: CRD42016050839) assesses efficacy relative to passive and active control conditions, and explores patient and intervention factors.

Faster rate of blood volume change in pediatric hemodialysis patients impairs cardiac index.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension and myocardial stunning are proposed as contributing to the pathogenesis of increased cardiovascular disease burden and death in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Noninvasive cardiac output measurements provide a dynamic, real-time assessment of hemodynamic parameters. We investigated intradialytic changes in hemodynamic parameters in pediatric outpatients receiving chronic HD and determined patient and treatment risk factors associated with such intradialytic changes.

Increasing Vaccination Rates in a Pediatric Chronic Hemodialysis Unit.

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk for serious complications from vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Despite this risk, vaccination rates remain low. The barriers to vaccination in the pediatric population on dialysis are multifactorial.

Using a non-invasive method in chronic hemodialysis pediatric patients to estimate hemoglobin.

Background: Maintaining hemoglobin (Hgb) levels within a target range is difficult. Non-invasive hematocrit monitoring (NIVH) continuously monitors both the hematocrit and percent change in intravascular blood volume in real time. Based on the data reported here, NIVH can be utilized as a tool for anemia management in pediatric hemodialysis patients.