[Natural history of HCV infection and risk of death in a cohort of patients on long-term hemodialysis].

Background: HCV infection represents the major cause of chronic liver disease in hemodialysis and renal transplant patients. The clinical course of liver disease in hemodialysis patients is generally asymptomatic. Only few studies describe the natural history of HCV infection in haemodialysis patients, showing an association between HCV infections and poor survival.

On-line haemodiafiltration with and without acetate.

Background: In patients on on-line convective treatments, given the considerable quantity of dialysis fluid re-infused, the small amount of acetate present in bicarbonate dialysis fluid as a pH stabilizing factor may allow a significant transfer of that anion to the patient, possibly inducing cytokine activation.

Methods: To verify this hypothesis, we performed on-line haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) with (3 mmol/l) and without acetate in dialysis fluid in a cross-over randomized order on 12 prevalent patients.

Results: In comparison with the pre-treatment values, plasma acetate levels were unchanged during and after acetate-free OL-HDF, while they were 5-6 times higher in the course of OL-HDF containing acetate in dialysis fluid; plasma acetate levels returned to basal values 2 h after the end of the procedure.

[On-line hemodiafiltration without acetate].

Purpose: The suitably filtered dialysate which is currently reinfused during on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF-OL) contains bicarbonate and small doses of acetate. The trend of acetataemia During "forced" convective treatments has never been studied. The gain in acetate secondary to the considerable quantities of fluids infused might have clinical significance in relation to the well-known side effects of this anion.

Dialysis water treatment systems and monitoring in Italy: results of a national survey.

Background: The risks connected with dialysis fluid contamination are well established. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated just how difficult it is to obtain permanently satisfactory quality standards. Therefore, dialysis centers must have effective and regular quality control programs, particularly with the growing and widespread use of online convective dialysis treatments.