A randomized n-of-1 study comparing blood pressure measured on a clothed arm and on an arm with a rolled-up sleeve.

Background: Blood pressure [BP] should be measured using a bare upper arm with an appropriately sized cuff. In practice, it is more convenient to measure BP on a bare arm below a rolled-up sleeve or on a sleeved arm.

Aim: A n-of-1 randomized controlled trial was performed to assess the difference between BP measurements over a sleeve or below a rolled-up sleeve.

Economic evaluation of different treatment modalities in acute kidney injury.

Background: Major controversy exists regarding the preferred treatment option for acute kidney injury (AKI). The purpose of this study was to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) versus intermittent renal replacement therapy (IRRT) and conservative (CONS) AKI treatment in Belgium.

Methods: An area-under-the-curve model based on survival analysis was used to estimate costs and health outcomes using a 2-year time horizon.

Renal replacement therapy is an independent risk factor for mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Introduction: Outcome studies in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) have focused on differences between modalities of renal replacement therapy (RRT). The outcome of conservative treatment, however, has never been compared with RRT.

Methods: Nine Belgian intensive care units (ICUs) included all adult patients consecutively admitted with serum creatinine >2 mg/dl.

Outcome of acute kidney injury with different treatment options: long-term follow-up.

Background And Objectives: The multicenter Stuivenberg Hospital Acute Renal Failure 4 study investigated outcome in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) stratified according to disease severity by the Stuivenberg Hospital Acute Renal Failure score. Patients in need of renal replacement therapy (RRT) received intermittent RRT or continuous RRT. This study investigated long-term mortality, renal function, comorbidity, and quality of life.

Intermittent versus continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury patients admitted to the intensive care unit: results of a randomized clinical trial.

Background: There is uncertainty on the effect of different dialysis modalities for the treatment of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This controlled clinical trial performed in the framework of the multicentre SHARF 4 study (Stuivenberg Hospital Acute Renal Failure) aimed to investigate the outcome in patients with AKI, stratified according to severity of disease and randomized to different treatment options.

Methods: This was a multicentre prospective randomized controlled trial with stratification according to severity of disease expressed by the SHARF score.

Aliskiren, a novel orally effective renin inhibitor, provides dose-dependent antihypertensive efficacy and placebo-like tolerability in hypertensive patients.

Background: Stopping the detrimental effects of the renin-angiotensin system at the most upstream point of the cascade offers theoretical advantages for cardiovascular protection. This study compares the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of the novel oral renin inhibitor aliskiren with placebo and an active comparator.

Methods And Results: The study was a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active-comparator 8-week trial in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension (mean sitting diastolic blood pressure [DBP] > or =95 and <110 mm Hg).

Pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin and its metabolites after single and multiple dosing in hypercholesterolaemic haemodialysis patients.

Background: Patients with chronic renal failure commonly suffer from a secondary form of complex dyslipidaemia, and may benefit from lipid-lowering treatment. Atorvastatin has been shown to reduce efficiently the levels of atherogenic lipoproteins also in patients with renal failure, but pharmacokinetic data in haemodialysis patients are lacking.

Methods: In this study, hypercholesterolaemic haemodialysis patients received 40 mg (n=12) or 80 mg (n=11) atorvastatin once daily, first as a single dose and then continuously for 2 weeks.