Increase of continuous treatments and regional citrate anticoagulation during renal replacement therapy in the ICUs of the North-West of Italy from 2007 to 2015.

Background: Few reports have addressed the change in renal replacement therapy (RRT) management in the Intensive care Units (ICUs) over the years in western countries. This study aims to assess the trend of dialytic practice in a 4.5-million population-based study of the northwest of Italy.

Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis Undergoing Renal Replacement Therapy in Intensive Care Units: A Five-Million Population-Based Study in the North-West of Italy.

Background: Metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a severe complication of drug administration with significant morbidity and mortality. So far no study in large population areas have examined the incidence, clinical profile and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI)-MALA patients admitted in intensive care units (ICUs) and treated by renal replacement therapy (MALA-RRT).

Methods: Retrospective analysis over a 6-year period (2010-2015) in Piedmont and Aosta Valley regions (5,305,940 inhabitants, 141,174 diabetics treated with metformin) of all MALA-RRT cases.

Dabigatran overdose: case report of laboratory coagulation parameters and hemodialysis of an 85-year-old man.

Dabigatran is an oral direct inhibitor indicated for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Unlike warfarin, dabigatran's observed therapeutic window and minimal drug-to-drug interaction suggest that laboratory test and dose adjustments are not necessary; nevertheless, circumstances of excessive anticoagulation, decreased kidney function, and instances of significant bleeding and thrombosis require laboratory assessment. In order to gather experience in the management of global [activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) with extended endpoint] and specific [ecarin chromogenic assay (ECA) and diluted thrombin time (dTT)] laboratory coagulation tests in patients receiving dabigatran with untoward effects, we describe a case in which hemodialysis was used in attempt to remove dabigatran in a patient with excessive anticoagulation, rectal bleeding, and severe anemia.

[The effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and intermittent haemodialysis (IHD) in the treatment of dabigatran overdose. Case report].

A 85-year-old man, with CKD (e-GFR 35 mL/min), had been given Dabigatran (a direct thrombin inhibitor) at 110 mg daily dose because of atrial fibrillation. Due to intercurrent diarrhea and dehydration, renal function worsened (e-GFR 11 mL/min) and Dabigatran excretion decreased, thereby inducing drug overload. In this case, Dabigatran must be removed by dialysis, but the most appropriate schedule is still undefined.

Dermatan sulfate: an alternative to unfractionated heparin for anticoagulation in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the standard anticoagulant in regular dialysis treatments (RDTs), despite the fact that it may induce thrombocytopenia, dyslipidemia, allergy and osteoporosis. Dermatan sulfate (DS) selectively inhibits thrombin, does not inhibit F-Xa and does not interfere with platelets (PLTS). Here we described an original protocol for the use of DS as anticoagulant in RDT and compared its effects with those of UFH.

[Application of guidelines in clinical practice: a multicenter analysis of the treatment of membranous glomerulonephritis in Piedmont, Italy].

The treatment of membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is controversial, especially in cases of no response to first-line treatment or multiple relapses. The Clinical Nephrology Group of Piedmont carried out a multicenter analysis of the treatment of patients affected by MGN in 15 nephrology units in Piedmont. The first treatment is usually started after a waiting period of 3-6 months in case of proteinuria in the nephrotic range but normal or slightly impaired renal function.

Long-term, low-dose, intravenous vitamin C leads to plasma calcium oxalate supersaturation in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Ascorbate supplementation for patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT) is advised to obviate deficiency and improve epoetin response in those with functional iron deficiency. However, clear-cut safety concerns regarding hyperoxalemia are still poorly understood. This study tries to establish safety/efficacy profiles of ascorbate and oxalate during long-term intravenous ascorbate supplementation.

AGXT gene mutations and their influence on clinical heterogeneity of type 1 primary hyperoxaluria.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by a deficiency of alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), which is encoded by a single copy gene (AGXT). Molecular diagnosis was used in conjunction with clinical, biochemical, and enzymological data to evaluate genotype-phenotype correlation. Twenty-three unrelated, Italian PH1 patients were studied, 20 of which were grouped according to severe form of PH1 (group A), adult form (group B), and mild to moderate decrease in renal function (group C).