Long-Term Impact of Arteriovenous Fistula Ligation on Cardiac Structure and Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A 5-Year Follow-Up Observational Cohort Study.

Background: The long-term effects of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) ligation on cardiovascular structure following kidney transplantation remain uncertain. A prospective randomized, controlled trial (RCT) examined the effect of AVF ligation at 6 months on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-derived parameters in 27 kidney transplant recipients compared with 27 controls. A mean decrease in left ventricular mass (LVM) of 22.

Gastrointestinal symptom burden and dietary intake in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can present a significant burden to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but the reported prevalence is inconsistent.

Objective: To examine the GI burden and dietary intake in patients with CKD with or without dialysis.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 216 adults, recruited from outpatient and dialysis clinics, with CKD stage 4 or 5 not receiving dialysis (CKD-ND), or receiving haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Arginine Metabolites as Biomarkers of Myocardial Ischaemia, Assessed with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Kidney Disease.

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Myocardial oxygenation and perfusion response to stress, using oxygen-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (OS-CMR) and stress T1 mapping respectively, are impaired in CKD patients with and without known coronary artery disease (CAD). Endothelial dysfunction, assessed by circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homoarginine (HMA), promotes atherosclerosis.

A Randomized Trial on the Effect of Phosphate Reduction on Vascular End Points in CKD (IMPROVE-CKD).

Background: Hyperphosphatemia is associated with increased fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), arterial calcification, and cardiovascular mortality. Effects of phosphate-lowering medication on vascular calcification and arterial stiffness in CKD remain uncertain.

Methods: To assess the effects of non-calcium-based phosphate binders on intermediate cardiovascular markers, we conducted a multicenter, double-blind trial, randomizing 278 participants with stage 3b or 4 CKD and serum phosphate >1.

BK virus-associated nephropathy in a lung transplant patient: case report and literature review.

Background: BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) is a relatively common cause of renal dysfunction in the first six months after renal transplantation. It arises from reactivation of the latent and usually harmless BK virus (BK virus) due to immunosuppression and other factors including some that are unique to renal transplantation such as allograft injury. BKVAN is much rarer in non-renal solid organ transplantation, where data regarding diagnosis and management are extremely limited.

Effects of Allopurinol on the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Elevated serum urate levels are associated with progression of chronic kidney disease. Whether urate-lowering treatment with allopurinol can attenuate the decline of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with chronic kidney disease who are at risk for progression is not known.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, we randomly assigned adults with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease and no history of gout who had a urinary albumin:creatinine ratio of 265 or higher (with albumin measured in milligrams and creatinine in grams) or an eGFR decrease of at least 3.

Comprehensive evaluation of a prospective Australian patient cohort with suspected genetic kidney disease undergoing clinical genomic testing: a study protocol.

Introduction: Recent advances in genomic technology have allowed better delineation of renal conditions, the identification of new kidney disease genes and subsequent targets for therapy. To date, however, the utility of genomic testing in a clinically ascertained, prospectively recruited kidney disease cohort remains unknown. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of genomic testing within a national cohort of patients with suspected genetic kidney disease who attend multidisciplinary renal genetics clinics.

Effects of Arteriovenous Fistula Ligation on Cardiac Structure and Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remain high in recipients of a kidney transplant. The persistence of a patent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after transplantation may contribute to ongoing maladaptive cardiovascular remodeling. The ability to reverse this maladaptive remodeling by ligation of this AVF is unknown.

End-stage renal failure is associated with impaired coronary microvascular function.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease. Studies investigating the disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease have occurred predominantly in the peripheral vasculature, often used noninvasive imaging modalities, and infrequently recruited patients receiving dialysis. This study sought to evaluate invasive coronary dynamic vascular function in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF).

Do arteriovenous fistulas increase cardiac risk?

An effectively functioning arteriovenous fistula is the life line for patients on long-term hemodialysis, and for most an upper limb, native vessel fistula has significant short- and long-term advantages. There are, however, situations where a fistula has deleterious effects, including the relatively uncommon problem of severe heart failure exacerbated in particular by high-flow fistulas. There is also increasing evidence that a fistula can add to the already high burden of cardiovascular risk in patients with advanced kidney disease, including by promoting water and salt retention, and by inducing or worsening left ventricular hypertrophy.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients receiving dialysis: A systematic review.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of all gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms reported by dialysis patients, as well as the tools being used for diagnosis. GI symptoms are commonly reported in patients having haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), but there are multiple definitions and assessment tools reported in the literature.

Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was undertaken using five databases (Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Psycinfo and Web of Science) between 1996 and 2017.

Bowel health in chronic kidney disease: Patient perceptions differ from clinical definitions.

Background: The bowel health of those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be affected by medications, fluid/dietary allowances, reduced activity and pre-existing medical conditions. Patient perceptions of their bowel health can differ from those of health care professionals and the burden of gastrointestinal symptoms could be inaccurately reported.

Methods: Adults with CKD, including those undergoing haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant from four South Australian hospitals enrolled in the study.

Developing the future Indigenous health workforce: The feasibility and impact of a student-led placement programme in remote Indigenous communities.

Objective: To describe and evaluate a programme where medical students designed and implemented Indigenous health placements for students with an interest in rural/Indigenous health.

Design, Setting And Participants: In 2011, a student-led programme at the University of Adelaide was set up to give medical students the opportunity to undertake outreach trips and clinical placements in remote Indigenous communities. Twenty-four medical students attended trips to remote communities between 2012 and 2014.

The Impact of Arteriovenous Fistulae for Hemodialysis on the Cardiovascular System.

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is critical for the provision of optimal chronic hemodialysis. Its creation causes significant hemodynamic alterations in cardiovascular parameters, and can result in progressive left and right heart failure. Despite successful kidney transplantation, many patients retain a functional AVF indefinitely, which may contribute to ongoing adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Nocardiosis presenting as a lung mass in a kidney transplant recipient.

Nocardiosis is a potentially life-threatening disease in renal transplant recipients. It is an uncommon infection with high lethality if left untreated. We report a case of a 67 year-old kidney transplant recipient who developed pulmonary nocardiosis and presented with pleural effusion along with an underlying lung mass, which was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole in conjunction with a reduction in immunosuppressive therapy.

The deleterious effects of arteriovenous fistula-creation on the cardiovascular system: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study.

Aim: Arteriovenous fistula-formation remains critical for the provision of hemodialysis in end-stage renal failure patients. Its creation results in a significant increase in cardiac output, with resultant alterations in cardiac stroke volume, systemic blood flow, and vascular resistance. The impact of fistula-formation on cardiac and vascular structure and function has not yet been evaluated via "gold standard" imaging techniques in the modern era of end-stage renal failure care.

Beneficial cardiovascular remodeling following arterio-venous fistula ligation post-renal transplantation: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study.

Despite improvements in survival following renal transplantation, high rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remain. Persistence of arterio-venous fistulae (AVF) may contribute to maladaptive cardiovascular remodeling and poor health outcomes in this cohort. Utilizing recent advances in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), we prospectively evaluated alterations in cardiac and vascular structure and function six months after elective ligation of AVF, following stable, successful renal transplantation.

Dramatic improvement in decompensated right heart failure due to severe tricuspid regurgitation following ligation of arteriovenous fistula in a renal transplant recipient.

Arteriovenous (AV) fistulas with high blood flow rate are necessary for adequate hemodialysis, but they can also cause significant hemodynamic changes, including raised cardiac output, left ventricular hypertrophy and occasionally overt cardiac failure (Basile et al., Nephrol Dial Transplant, 23, 2008, 282; Unger et al., Am J Transplant, 4, 2004, 2038).

Effects of uric acid-lowering therapy on renal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Non-randomized studies suggest an association between serum uric acid levels and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this systematic review is to summarize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the benefits and risks of uric acid-lowering therapy on renal outcomes.

Methods: Medline, Excerpta Medical Database and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched with English language restriction for RCTs comparing the effect of uric acid-lowering therapy with placebo/no treatment on renal outcomes.