Safety and efficacy of Single-Pass Albumin Dialysis (SPAD), Prometheus, and Molecular Adsorbent Recycling System (MARS) liver haemodialysis vs. Standard Medical Therapy (SMT): meta-analysis and systematic review.

Introduction: Because not all liver dysfunction patients are suitable for transplantations and there is a shortage of grafts, liver support therapies have gained interest. In this regard, extracorporeal albumin dialysis devices such as single-pass albumin dialysis (SPAD), Prometheus, and molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) have been valuable in supplementing standard medical therapy (SMT). However, the efficacy and safety of these devices is often questioned.

Management of bacteraemia (SAB) in the oncology patient: Further evidence supports prompt removal of central venous catheters and shorter duration of intravenous antimicrobial therapy.

Background: bacteraemia (SAB) is associated with relatively high risk of complications and high levels of mortality. Internationally, SAB management guidelines lack consensus and especially so regarding oncology patients. This is likely a reflection of insufficient randomised control trials (RCT) and the diversity of SAB patient populations.

Interns as medical educators: student and intern experiences from the intern-delivered teaching program at University Hospital Limerick.

Background: The acquisition and assimilation of knowledge through history-taking and clinical skills practice are core aspects of training for medical students. Interns, who have recently graduated and have entered into clinical practice, are uniquely positioned to assume a pivotal role in student education.

Aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate feedback from both students as well as intern tutors on the intern-delivered teaching program at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) from 2015 to 2016.

Temporal trends in acute kidney injury across health care settings in the Irish health system: a cohort study.

Background: Complete ascertainment of the true rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) and emerging trends are essential for planning of preventive strategies within health systems.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from 2005 to 2014 using data from regional laboratory information systems to determine incidence rates of AKI and severity Stages 1-3 in the Irish health system. Multivariable models were developed to explore annual trends and the contributions of demographic factors, clinical measures, geographic factors and location of medical supervision expressed as adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

A comparative analysis of survival of patients on dialysis and after kidney transplantation.

Background: Kidney transplant survival benefits are not observed for around 8 months after transplantation because of a higher complications rate in early post-transplant periods. This study compares survival of patients awaiting transplantation with survival of transplant recipients and non-listed dialysis patients in Ireland.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, the relative-risk (RR) of death was assessed with time-dependent, non-proportional hazards analysis, with adjustment for age, cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), time from first treatment for ESKD to placement on the waiting list and year of initial placement on the list.

Linking acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease: the missing links.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered to be a major public health problem around the globe, and it is associated with major adverse clinical outcomes and significant health care costs. There is growing evidence suggesting that AKI is associated with the subsequent development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While recovery of kidney function occurs in the majority of patients surviving an AKI episode, a large number of patients do not recover completely.

Outcomes of kidney transplantation in Alport syndrome compared with other forms of renal disease.

Introduction: Alport syndrome is an inherited renal disease characterized by hematuria, renal failure, hearing loss and a lamellated glomerular basement membrane. Patients with Alport syndrome who undergo renal transplantation have been shown to have patient and graft survival rates similar to or better than those of patients with other renal diseases.

Methods: In this national case series, based in Beaumont Hospital Dublin, we studied the cohort of patients who underwent renal transplantation over the past 33 years, recorded prospectively in the Irish Renal Transplant Registry, and categorized them according to the presence or absence of Alport syndrome.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after a dancing session: a case report.

Introduction: Stress-induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiomyopathy which presents in a manner similar to that of acute coronary syndrome. This sometimes leads to unnecessary thrombolysis therapy. The pathogenesis of this disease is still poorly understood.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from colonic carcinoma presenting as Brown-Séquard syndrome: a case report.

Introduction: Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis is very rare. The majority are discovered incidentally during autopsy. Most symptomatic patients present with rapidly progressive neurological deficits and require immediate examination.