A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study of the efficacy and safety of droxidopa in patients with intradialytic hypotension.

Introduction: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is the most common complication of hemodialysis (HD), and it plays a significant role in the morbidity and mortality associated with maintenance HD.

Methods: This was a placebo-controlled, parallel-group study evaluating efficacy and safety of droxidopa in improving intradialytic blood pressure (BP) responses in 85 adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and prone to IDH. Following screening and baseline periods, patients received 400 mg or 600 mg droxidopa, or placebo, orally 1 hour before HD for 4 weeks.

Perioperative topical bovine thrombin exposure is not associated with hemodialysis graft thrombosis.

Arteriovenous (AV) graft use as hemodialysis access remains highly prevalent, with a consequent high thrombosis rate. The magnitude of this problem requires that all potentially modifiable risk factors for graft thrombosis be thoroughly investigated. During graft surgery, topical bovine thrombin is often administered, which can lead to the development of antibovine thrombin antibodies and subsequent hemostatic changes.

Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in a renal allograft recipient: review of the clinical spectrum of disease in solid organ transplant patients.

Background: Ehrlichiosis is a recently described zoonotic infection with two major expressions: human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). The organisms associated with HGE and HME have been detected in a tick vector in several regions of United States and cases of ehrlichiosis have been reported in the general population.

Methods: We report a case of HGE in a renal allograft recipient and review the clinical spectrum of disease in solid organ transplant recipients and the epidemiological basis for risk.

AT1 receptor subtype mediates the inhibitory effect of central angiotensin II on cerebrospinal fluid formation in the rat.

The effect of central administration of angiotensin II (AII) on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formation was studied in pentobarbital-anesthetized, artificially-ventilated rats. CSF production was measured by the ventriculocisternal perfusion method with Blue Dextran 2000 as the indicator. Baseline value of CSF production was 3.