Dialysis Jeopardy!

Dialysis Jeopardy! was a fun and innovative dialysis quiz for conference attendees at the Annual Dialysis Conference 2024 held in San Diego. The event saw active participation from nephrology fellows, faculty, and allied health care professionals. The event provided an excellent opportunity for nephrology fellows to interact with faculty in a nonformal setting.

Pseudohyponatremia: Mechanism, Diagnosis, Clinical Associations and Management.

Pseudohyponatremia remains a problem for clinical laboratories. In this study, we analyzed the mechanisms, diagnosis, clinical consequences, and conditions associated with pseudohyponatremia, and future developments for its elimination. The two methods involved assess the serum sodium concentration ([Na]) using sodium ion-specific electrodes: (a) a direct ion-specific electrode (ISE), and (b) an indirect ISE.

Flummoxed by flux: the indeterminate principles of haemodialysis.

In haemodialysis (HD), unwanted substances (uraemic retention solutes or 'uraemic toxins') that accumulate in uraemia are removed from blood by transport across the semipermeable membrane. Like all membrane separation processes, the transport requires driving forces to facilitate the transfer of molecules across the membrane. The magnitude of the transport is quantified by the phenomenon of 'flux', a finite parameter defined as the volume of fluid (or permeate) transferred per unit area of membrane surface per unit time.

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) in pediatric patients on dialysis: systematic review and clinical practice recommendations.

Background And Objectives: Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) is a rare neurological complication, most commonly affecting patients undergoing new initiation of hemodialysis (HD), but can also be seen in patients receiving chronic dialysis who miss regular treatments, patients having acute kidney injury (AKI), and in those treated with continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Although the pathogenesis is not well understood, DDS is likely a result of multiple physiological abnormalities. In this systematic review, we provide a synopsis of the data available on DDS that allow for a clear picture of its pathogenesis, preventive measures, and focus on effective management strategies.

Home Dialysis in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Era.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had a significant impact on patients with end-stage kidney disease and their care, especially given the potential for severe coronavirus disease 2019 in those with a depressed immune status. Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis have been particularly affected by this pandemic because of their need to travel multiple times a week to receive treatment. Although patients on home dialysis are able to avoid such exposure, they face their own unique challenges.

Refractory orthostatic hypotension after creation of a brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistula.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are preferred vascular access in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, AVFs, can occasionally lead to clinically significant complications. Of these, cardiovascular complications have been well described in the literature.

Transition Between Different Renal Replacement Modalities: Gaps in Knowledge and Care-The Integrated Research Initiative.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have different options to replace the function of their failing kidneys. The "integrated care" model considers treatment pathways rather than individual renal replacement therapy (RRT) techniques. In such a paradigm, the optimal strategy to plan and enact transitions between the different modalities is very relevant, but so far, only limited data on transitions have been published.

Historical Milestones in Peritoneal Dialysis.

Two and a half centuries have passed since the therapeutic use of peritoneal cavity for the treatment of ascites by peritoneal lavage was reported. George Ganter was the first to describe the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in humans. This chapter will describe the various milestones in the field of PD achieved over the years.

A need for a paradigm shift in focus: From Kt/V to appropriate removal of sodium (the ignored uremic toxin).

Hemodialysis for chronic renal failure was introduced and developed in Seattle, WA, in the 1960s. Using Kiil dialyzers, weekly dialysis time and frequency were established to be about 30 hours on 3 time weekly dialysis. This dialysis time and frequency was associated with 10% yearly mortality in the United States in 1970s.

A case of hypothermia on CRRT.

A 64-year-old Asian man, with past medical history of hypertension, hypothyroidism, and hyperlipidemia, presented with 3 days history of fever associated with cough and worsening shortness of breath. Subsequent clinical course was complicated by acute lung injury leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring positive pressure ventilation, septic shock requiring inotropic support, and acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). On day 3 of CRRT, the patient developed significant hypothermia (temporal temperature 27.

Development, Validation, and Implementation of a Clinic Nurse Staffing Guideline.

Ensuring that the level of nurse staffing used to care for patients is appropriate to the setting and service intensity is essential for high-quality and cost-effective care. This article describes the development, validation, and implementation of the clinic technical skills permission list developed specifically to guide nurse staffing decisions in physician clinics of an academic medical center. Results and lessons learned in using this staffing guideline are presented.

Ethical issues in dialysis therapy.

Treatment for end-stage kidney disease is a major economic challenge and a public health concern worldwide. Renal-replacement therapy poses several practical and ethical dilemmas of global relevance for patients, clinicians, and policy makers. These include how to: promote patients' best interests; increase access to dialysis while maintaining procedural and distributive justice; minimise the influence of financial incentives and competing interests; ensure quality of care in service delivery and access to non-dialytic supportive care when needed; minimise the financial burden on patients and health-care system; and protect the interests of vulnerable groups during crisis situations.

Diagnostic Dilemma: A Case of Endogenous Peritonitis.

Endogenous peritonitis resulting from inflammation or perforation of an abdominal viscus-a result, for example, of diverticulitis, cholecystitis, or acute appendicitis-can be a complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), with significant morbidity and a high incidence of catheter loss.Here, we describe an end-stage renal disease patient on PD who presented with acute abdominal pain and who was diagnosed with uncomplicated PD peritonitis. His clinical course was complicated by development of eosinophilic peritonitis because of an allergy to vancomycin.

Pro: Higher serum bicarbonate in dialysis patients is protective.

Chronic metabolic acidosis is common in dialysis patients. Bicarbonate administration via the dialysate helps maintain the acid-base balance in these patients. Serum bicarbonate level in dialysis patients is determined by several factors that include dietary protein intake, nutritional status and dialysis prescription, etc.

History of the Buttonhole Technique.

The constant side method of access cannulation in hemodialysis, popularly known as the 'buttonhole' method, has an interesting history. Dr. Zbylut J.