A novel dose regimen of cinacalcet in the treatment of severe hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

During the recent years, cinacalcet has markedly improved the management of hyperparathyroidism in patients on hemodialysis. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no specific studies addressing the dose regimen of cinacalcet. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of cinacalcet on the achievement of targets in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism in two different dosage schedules.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for acute hyperlipidemic pancreatitis: a case series.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used for the treatment of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis (HLP) with variable results. Eight patients with acute HLP were studied and treated with TPE, in addition to dietary fat restriction and lipid lowering agents. TPE lowered plasma levels of amylase (723.

Intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly suppresses parathyroid hormone in hemodialysis patients.

Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism is difficult because of the interrelationship of parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of intravenous administration of alfacalcidol once weekly versus twice weekly in patients with severe hyperparathyroidism. Twenty-one hemodialysis patients with intact parathyroid hormone >88 pmol/L were divided into two groups.

The superior vena cava syndrome: late presentation after hemodialysis catheter removal.

The superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is due to obstruction of the SVC and may present by dyspnea, chest pain, cough, headache, dysphasia, and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure; however, the affected patients can be asymptomatic. Numerous collateral veins are often seen on the upper chest, arms and neck. The syndrome may be caused by prolonged use of indwelling catheters, but is an infrequently reported complication in the hemodialysis patients.

Viability of home peritoneal dialysis: experience with 100 patients from an Arab population.

Background: The viability of home peritoneal dialysis (HPD) is being debated in Arab countries. We therefore undertook the present study to assess the viability of HPD in the Arab culture.

Patients And Methods: A total of 100 patients with end-stage renal failure were treated with HPD during the period January 1996 to October 2001.

Outcome and survival in different peritoneal dialysis modalities.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been accepted as a treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease, yet experience with PD in Arab countries is limited. This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome and survival of different PD modalities. All patients managed at the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Kuwait between August 1982 and December 2003 using PD for three months or more were included in the study.

Does parathyroid hormone affect erythropoietin therapy in dialysis patients?

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) during treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with hyperparathyroidism.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 118 patients with stage 5 renal failure on dialysis therapy were selected for this study. Anemia was treated with rHuEPO.

Blood pressure control in haemodialysis patients: an audit.

Objective: This audit was conducted to study the level of achievement of some criteria relevant to blood pressure control in haemodialysis patients and to evaluate if auditing process improves the quality of medical care given to these patients.

Methods: The records of all 105 patients on maintenance haemodialysis were included in the study. Five criteria relevant to blood pressure control were selected for auditing.

Hypercoagulability, a serious problem in patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis, and its correction after kidney transplantation.

Background: Recurrent vascular access thrombosis (VAT) resulting in failure to continue maintenance hemodialysis (HD) therapy is not an uncommon event. The cause of VAT in these circumstances remains uncertain. We describe results of our studies to identify changes in hemostatic balance in patients on maintenance HD therapy that probably contributed to a hypercoagulable state.