Outcomes of Pregnancies After Kidney Transplantation: Lessons Learned From CKD. A Comparison of Transplanted, Nontransplanted Chronic Kidney Disease Patients and Low-Risk Pregnancies: A Multicenter Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) may restore fertility in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The reasons why maternofetal outcomes are still inferior to the overall population are only partially known. Comparison with the CKD population may offer some useful insights for management and counselling.

Pregnancy outcomes after kidney graft in Italy: are the changes over time the result of different therapies or of different policies? A nationwide survey (1978-2013).

Background: Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice to restore fertility to women on renal replacement therapy. Over time, immunosuppressive, support therapies and approaches towards high-risk pregnancies have changed. The aim of this study was to analyse maternal-foetal outcomes in two cohorts of transplanted women who delivered a live-born baby in Italy in 1978-2013, dichotomized into delivery before and after January 2000.

Abdominal aortic calcification is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is reported as a predictor for cardiovascular events in general population and in hemodialysis patients. At present, there are no AAC data in peritoneal dialysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of AAC score on cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Advances in the technology of automated, tidal, and continuous flow peritoneal dialysis.

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) has undergone substantial growth in recent years because of an increased demand for higher doses of peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment and a need to improve quality of life for patients. The evolution of this treatment is closely linked with the development of new automatic machines and with recent advances in prescription and monitoring of PD treatment. In the present article, we describe the characteristics of the new generation of APD cyclers with particular regard to adequacy targets and safety.

Rational choice of peritoneal dialysis catheter.

The peritoneal catheter should be a permanent and safe access to the peritoneal cavity. Catheter-related problems are often the cause of permanent transfer to hemodialysis (HD) in up to 20% of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients; in some cases, these problems require a temporary period on HD. Advances in connectology have reduced the incidence of peritonitis, and so catheter-related complications during PD have become a major concern.

A new home based bioimpedance system for PD.

Fluid overload and uncontrolled hypertension may be considered important mortality risk factors in peritoneal dialysis (PD) population. Even malnutrition is highly prevalent in PD patients. It is now well established that lower levels of serum markers of nutrition such as albumin, creatinine, and prealbumin are associated with increased mortality in PD patients [Fein, P.

Evolution of technology for automated peritoneal dialysis.

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is important for the further penetration of PD in the dialysis marketplace. Long dwell, equilibration PD (CAPD) has limited applicability in many patients due to inadequate solute clearance or fast membrane transport characteristics. Providing large volumes of dialysate over circumscribed hours is highly labor intensive without an automated system.

Integration of peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of uremia.

The real integration of a specific therapy into the renal replacement program is represented by the possibility of easy and free patient transfer from one treatment to another without restrictions. In the case of peritoneal dialysis we feel that its integration in the therapeutic approach of uremia represents an ethical obligation for the physician, a clinical opportunity for the patient and a good cost/benefit solution for care givers. A full conviction that peritoneal dialysis represents a real therapeutic option for ESRD patients is necessary to achieve a real integration of this therapy in the uremia treatment program.