An unorthodox pathophysiology of severe cases of COVID-19 the weak heme hypothesis.

Important amount of severe cases is the main concern in COVID-19 pandemic. It could be the running cause of the burn out of the health system in many countries. The aim of this paper is to suggest a pathophysiologic hypothesis to explain the main characteristics of severe cases of COVID-19 and its underlying conditions.

Usefulness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in chronic kidney disease: The moroccan experience.

Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension (HTN) is very common and widely recognized to accelerate the progression of CKD and increase the risk for cardiovascular events. Accumulated data indicate that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is better in detecting HTN than office blood pressure (BP) measurement. The goal of this study is to describe the ABPM characteristics in a group of CKD and hypertensive patients.

Utility of a blood volume monitor in the management of anemia in dialysis by computing the total hemoglobin mass.

Introduction: The degree of interdialytic weight gain and ultrafiltration may influence anemia results in dialysis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of a blood volume monitor (BVM) in the management of renal anemia and its ability to avoid the variability of hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin values (Hb) depending on plasma volume through a simple method of monitoring the total hemoglobin mass (M ).

Methods: Predialysis blood samples for measurement were drawn at both the midweek treatment and the beginning-of-the-dialysis-week treatment in 30 patients.

The cost-utility of treating anemia with continuous erythropoietin receptor activator or Epoetin versus routine blood transfusions among chronic hemodialysis patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the cost-utility of treating anemic dialysis patients with continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) once monthly or Epoetin Beta (EpoB) thrice weekly compared with a reference strategy of managing anemia with red blood cell transfusion (RBCT).

Methods: Cost-utility analysis study design. Decision analysis model, National health care payer, over 1 year with the publicly funded health care system.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator Once Monthly versus Epoetin Thrice Weekly for Anaemia Management in Chronic Haemodialysis Patients.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) once monthly to epoetin beta (EpoB) thrice weekly to maintain haemoglobin (Hb) within the range 10.5-12 g/dL.

Late care in marathon runs leading to exertional heat stroke with multiple organ failure.

Background: Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is still a main cause of death in sport. Many of EHS complications could have been prevented if EHS had been recognized and treated early and properly.

Case Presentation: We report an unusual case of multiple organ failure caused by EHS due to intensive sportive activities in a hot environment with lack of primary care.

Commentary: the practice of dialysis in the intensive care unit in a developing country.

Introduction And Aims: In developing countries, little is known about renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. The aim of this study is to describe characteristics of patients, clinical practice of renal support and outcomes in intensive care units (ICU) in a developing country.

Methods: Patients who underwent RRT for AKI from May 2003 to July 2008, in four ICUs in our institution were included in this retrospective study.

Quantification of hemodialysis dose: what Kt/V to choose?

Background: Quantification of hemodialysis became more accurate and easier after the advent of ionic dialysance and the use of methods for estimating urea distribution volume (V). The aim of this study was to compare different methods of hemodialysis dose assessment: Kt/VDau (Daugirdas 2nd generation), Kt/VOCM (Kt by OCM (Online Clearance Monitor) and V by Watson), and Kt/VBCM 
(Kt by OCM and V by bio-impedance); and to assess the dialysis adequacy, defined by a Kt/V>1.4.

Serum tumor markers in hemodialysis patients.

Aims: The main objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on concentrations of five tumor markers (TMs): carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 (CA19-9), CA15-3, CA125, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a group of chronic hemodialysis patients (CHPs); and to study the influence of hemodialysis (HD) sessions on concentrations of the same TMs.

Methods: We compared TMs levels in CHP before HD sessions to a control group of 50 healthy volunteers, the dosages were determined before and immediately after the HD session Comparisons were made before and after correction for dialysis-induced hemoconcentrations.

Results: We enrolled 74 CHPs, all TM concentrations were higher in this group compared to control group, but this increase was significant for CEA (4.

Parameters to assess nutritional status in a Moroccan hemodialysis cohort.

Introduction: Malnutrition is common in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in affected patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and correlate the methods of nutritional assessment.

Methods: We evaluated the nutritional status of 40 prevalent HD patients by subjective global assessment (SGA) score, anthropometrics [body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), triceps skin-fold thicknesses (TSF), arm muscle circumference (AMC)], biochemical tests [normalized protein equivalent to total nitrogen appearance (nPNA), and pre-dialysis serum albumin and serum prealbumin levels] and bio-electrical impedance (BEI) analysis to estimate body composition [lean tissue index (LTI) and fat tissue index (FTI)].

A model to predict optimal dialysate flow.

Diffusive clearance depends on blood (Qb) and dialysate flow (Qd) rates and the overall mass transfer area coefficient (KoA) of the dialyzer. In this article we describe a model to predict an appropriated AutoFlow (AF) factor (AF factor = Ratio Qd/Qb), that is able to provide adequate Kt/V for hemodialysis patients (HDP), while consuming lower amounts of dialysate, water and energy during the treatment. We studied in vivo the effects of three various Qd on the delivered dose of dialysis in 33 stable HDP.

Assessment of dialysis adequacy guidelines implementation in a developing country.

Dialysis adequacy has been shown to have a significant impact on patient survival, but there are few data concerning the adequacy of the delivered hemodialysis dose in developing countries. To describe the level of implementation of dialysis practice guidelines in a dialysis center in Morocco, we retrospectively reviewed our 1-year experience of managing chronic hemodialysis patients (CHP), from May 2009 to May 2010. Demographic and biochemical data were collected, and the percentage of patients achieving targets recommended by the NKF-KDOQI guidelines were calculated.