Creatinine- vs. cystatin C-based equations compared with 99mTcDTPA scintigraphy to assess glomerular filtration rate in chronic kidney disease.

Background: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), accurate estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is mandatory. Gold standard methods for its estimation are expensive and time-consuming. We compared creatinine- versus cystatin C-based equations to measure GFR, employing (99m)Tc-DTPA scintigraphy as the gold standard.

["Malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome" in chronic hemodialysis].

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and inflammation are usually common and concurrent conditions in maintenance dialysis patients and associated with poor prognosis. Low appetite and hypercatabolic states are common features. In dialysis patients, the former has been suggested to be secondary to inflammation; however, the evidence is not conclusive.

Elevated pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponin T and malnutrition inflammatory score in chronic hemodialysis patients with overt cardiovascular disease.

Background: We assessed the relationship between pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), troponin T (TropT) and nutritional status.

Methods: A total of 48 chronic hemodialysis patients were grouped according to the presence [group A (GA); n = 24] or not [group B (GB)] of cardiovascular disease.

Results: Compared to GB subjects, GA subjects were older, had been on hemodialysis for a longer period and had higher prevalences of vascular grafts, hypertension and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) [GA vs.

H1N1 infection and the kidney in critically ill patients.

Background: Acute renal failure due to viral infections is rare. We assessed the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically compromised patients due to the H1N1 influenza virus.

Methods: All patients with a PCR -confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 influenza infection admitted to the intensive care unit between May and July 2009 were retrospectively studied.

[Acute kidney injury in severe sepsis].

Sepsis affects 40% of critically ill patients, with a reported mortality of approximately 30% in severe sepsis, raising to 75% when acute kidney injury ensues, which occurs in about 20-51% of cases. The present study consists on a one-year prospective, observational, longitudinal trial undergone in 80 severe septic patients to determine the risk of development of acute kidney injury and its relationship with mortality; the association of the clinical course and blood parameter variations with mortality; the severe sepsis mortality rate; an eventual correlation between death and septic focus, and to assess mortality predictibility based on initial creatinine levels and final variations. Two groups were defined: Dead (n=25) and Not-dead (n=55).