Arterial stiffness: hemodialysis versus hemodiafiltration.

Background And Aims: Arterial stiffness seems to be influenced by the dialysis method, but studies are sparse and the results discordant. High substitution volume online hemodiafiltration appears to have beneficial cardiovascular effects in dialysis patients, but its effects on arterial stiffness are not investigated. We aimed to analyze arterial stiffness parameters in high substitution volume post-dilution online hemodiafiltration and compare results to high-flux hemodialysis.

Osteoprotegerin and uremic osteoporosis in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a powerful inhibitor of osteoclast activity, and it plays an important role in bone metabolism. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, the relationship between OPG and bone mineral density (BMD) is important, but remains unclear yet. The study objective was to assess the OPG role related to uremic osteoporosis in HD patients.

The metabolic hormone FGF21 is associated with endothelial dysfunction in hemodialysis patients.

Purpose: Finding new, reliable biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis (HD) patients is of utmost importance. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been recently associated with atherosclerosis in the general population. The relationship between markedly elevated FGF21 levels in HD patients and endothelial dysfunction is unknown.

Soluble CD40 ligand in haemodialysis patients: survival impact and cardiovascular prognostic role.

Context: Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40l) can predict cardiovascular events (CVE) and mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients (short-, medium-term follow-up studies).

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between sCD40l and survival, CVE and mortality in HD patients on long-term follow-up.

Methods: We registered 46 HD patients' baseline characteristics, mortality and CVE for 108 months.

Malondialdehyde can predict survival in hemodialysis patients.

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Kidney disease is associated with increased oxidative stress (OS), a nontraditional CV risk factor. Few studies evaluate the effect of OS markers on CV events (CVE) and survival in HD patients.

Mineral and bone disorders, morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal failure patients on chronic dialysis.

Background And Aim: In spite of numerous interventions, the control of mineral disturbances remains poor in end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients. Chronic kidney disease - mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) represent an important cause of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between mineral and bone disorders (MBD) and their components impact on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CDV) mortality and morbidity in chronic dialysis patients.

Nitroglycerin mediated dilation evaluated by ultrasound is associated with sTWEAK in hemodialysis patients.

Aims: The main cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients is cardiovascular disease. Ultrasound assessment of the brachial artery dysfunction is easily achievable and can non-invasively detect atherosclerosis in various stages. In HD patients the cardiovascular risk profile is different and the determinants of brachial arterial function can be distinct comparing with general population.

The association of high sCD163/sTWEAK ratio with cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients.

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Transmembrane proteins that circulate as soluble form such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and CD163 have been proposed in previous studies as CVD biomarkers in chronic kidney disease patients. In HD patients, since studies are scarce, the role of these proteins is not completely understood.

Survival after parathyroidectomy in chronic hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: The life for end-stage renal disease patients has remarkably improved in the last years. Although mineral and bone disorders remain as unsolved complication, in severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), the ultimate treatment is parathyroidectomy (PTX). It is an old treatment, but there are still insufficient data regarding survival after PTX.

Role of osteoprotegerin in vascular disorders of the end-stage renal disease patients.

Aim: To assess the osteoprotegerin (OPG) relationship with cardiovascular complications in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: The study included 87 HD patients. Clinical characteristics, ankle-arm index (AAI), OPG and mineral markers levels were recorded.

DNA methylation: hemodialysis versus hemodiafiltration.

Aberrant DNA methylation is an emerging characteristic of chronic kidney disease including dialysis patients. It appears to be associated to inflammation. We compared the global DNA methylation status in 10 control subjects compared to 80 dialysis patients (N = 40 on-line hemodiafiltration, N = 40 high-flux hemodialysis) in relation to the dialysis technique and inflammation.

FGF-23, vascular calcification, and cardiovascular diseases in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients have bad prognosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent their main threatening complication. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-23) has been associated with all kinds of evil consequences, including cardiovascular morbidity, but some studies demonstrated the contrary. Therefore, it is important to know whether FGF-23 is associated with cardiovascular risk or protection.

High-tone external muscle stimulation in endstage renal disease: effects on quality of life in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Objective: High-tone external muscle stimulation (HTEMS) has been shown to ameliorate painful peripheral neuropathy of dialysis patients. We hypothesized that HTEMS could also lead to improved parameters of health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: 25 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients (17 men/8 women, mean age 62.

Variation of clinical and laboratory features in chronic dialysis patients treated with high-flux hemodialysis after switching to online hemodiafiltration.

Purpose: The study of online hemodiafiltration (HDF) benefits over high-flux hemodialysis (HD) raises great interest. The purpose was to compare clinical and laboratory parameters in patients treated with HD who were switched to HDF.

Methods: Forty-eight HD patients (study group) were switched to HDF, while other 521 patients remained on HD as a control group.

The influence of vitamin E supplementation on erythropoietin responsiveness in chronic hemodialysis patients with low levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase.

About 12-15 % of hemodialysis patients have a poor response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The aim of this prospective study was to examine the influence of oxidative stress and vitamin E supplementation on rHuEPO responsiveness in chronic hemodialysis patients. Sixty-five hemodialysis patients treated with rHuEPO were studied.

Intercellular adhesion molecule, plasma adiponectin and albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aims: Our study addressed the influence of early inflammatory stages of diabetic kidney disease: leukocyte adhesion and monocyte activation (as assessed by intercellular leukocyte adhesion molecule-ICAM-1 and monocyte chemoatractant protein-MCP-1) on the degree of albuminuria. Plasma levels of adiponectin, a possible anti-inflammatory counteracting mechanism, were also studied in correlation to the above-mentioned cytokines.

Methods: 79 consecutive type 2 diabetic outpatients and 46 controls were included.

Vascular calcifications and renal osteodystrophy in chronic hemodialysis patients: what is the relationship between them?

Introduction: Vascular calcifications (VCs) and renal osteodystrophy (ROD) are frequently seen together and represent the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Some studies suggest a pathogenic link between them, but there is no consensus as yet regarding this issue. The main objective of our study was to establish whether there is any relation between VCs and ROD in our HD patients.

Once-every-2-weeks and once-weekly epoetin beta regimens: equivalency in hemodialyzed patients.

Background: Currently, less frequent than once-weekly subcutaneous epoetin administration regimens were shown to be equally effective and safe as once-weekly schedules in stable predialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. Bioequivalency of once-every-2-weeks and once-weekly subcutaneous administration of the same total dose of epoetin beta for the maintenance phase of anemia treatment in stable iron-replete long-term hemodialysis patients therefore was investigated prospectively.

Methods: Two hundred seven stable selected hemodialysis patients without diabetes, acute illness, significant inflammation, malnutrition or hyperparathyroidism administered once-weekly subcutaneous epoetin beta and preserving stable hemoglobin levels between 10 and 12 g/dL (100 and 120 g/L; difference between maximum and minimum of 3 subsequent levels View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The success story of peritoneal dialysis in Romania: analysis of differences in mortality by dialysis modality and influence of risk factors in a national cohort.

Background: This report describes the status of renal replacement therapy (RRT), particularly continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), in Romania (a country with previously limited facilities), outlines the fast development rate of CAPD, and presents national changes in a European context.

Methods: Trends in the development of RRT were analyzed in 2003 on a national basis using annual center questionnaires from 1995 to 2003. Survival data and prognostic risk factors were calculated retrospectively from a representative sample of 2284 patients starting RRT between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2001 (44% of the total RRT population investigated).

Nephrology and renal replacement therapy in Romania--transition still continues (Cinderella story revisited).

Unlabelled: INTRODUCTION. This report describes the current status of nephrology and renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Romania, a country with previously limited facilities, highlighting national changes in the European context.

Methods: Trends in RRT development were analysed in 2003, on a national basis, using the same questionnaires as in previous surveys (1991, 1995).