Superior vena cava collapsibility index as a predictor of fluid responsiveness: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: The superior vena cava collapsibility index (SVC-CI) is a potential marker of fluid responsiveness (FR) in mechanically ventilated patients. Few studies reporting its diagnostic performance are currently available.

Material And Methods: A systematic search, using the PRISMA approach, was performed using the Medline and EMBASE databases.

Acute kidney injury secondary to urinary tract infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is a common, yet poorly investigated, complication of urinary tract infections (UTI) and urosepsis. A retrospective comparative analysis was performed, recruiting 101 KTRs with urosepsis, 100 KTRs with UTI, and 100 KTRs without history of UTI or sepsis. The incidences of AKI in the urosepsis and UTI groups were 75.

The impact of location and patency of the arteriovenous fistula on quality of life of kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) may remain patent after kidney transplantation (KTx), contributing to maladaptive cardiac remodeling. The flow in AVFs is associated with the diameter of its vessels and thus with the AVF location. The main objective of this study is to assess the influence of AVF location and its patency on the self-reported quality of life (QOL) of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with past history of hemodialysis.

The attitude of kidney transplant recipients towards elective arteriovenous fistula ligation.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are a source of various complications. Among previously hemodialyzed kidney transplant recipients (KTxR), the AVF may persist over time. The patients' decisions whether to ligate the functioning AVF may be prompted by many factors.

Systemic Inflammatory Markers Predict Detrimental Outcome of Urosepsis in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Urosepsis is a frequent cause of hospitalization among kidney transplant recipients (KTxR). Systemic inflammatory markers may reflect disease severity; nevertheless, their predictive value has not been evaluated in KTxRs.

Aims: We sought to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of blood-derived systemic inflammatory markers during urosepsis in KTxR.

Frailty and cognitive impairment are predictive of takotsubo syndrome following pacemaker implantation.

Background: Pacemaker (PM) implantation may cause acute emotional distress leading to takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Frailty and cognitive impairment are known to influence outcomes after surgical procedures. It is unclear whether they may also predispose to TTS following PM implantation.