Time course of asymmetric dimethylarginine and symmetric dimethylarginine levels after successful renal transplantation.

Background: Although renal transplantation (Tx) improves the outcome of patients with renal disease, cardiovascular (CV) risk remains high. Recently, it was demonstrated that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels predict CV events and graft survival in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Little is known about the impact of renal Tx on the plasma levels of ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA).

Postimplantation X-ray parameters predict functional catheter problems in peritoneal dialysis.

Functional catheter problems are a major challenge for peritoneal dialysis (PD) programs. Here we performed a retrospective single-center study of 110 consecutive patients receiving a first PD catheter (swan neck double-cuff Missouri curled catheters, open surgical technique). Using postimplantation X-ray, the following categories were defined: swan neck angle (posterioanterio view (PA): under 45°, 45-90°, over 90°), inclination (angle between intramural part of catheter and horizontal line; lateral view: greater than/equal to 30°, under 30°), and the position of silicone bead relative to spine (PA view: L1-2, L3-4, lower) and catheter tip (PA view: hypogastric, umbilical, subcostal).

Intrarenal resistive index after renal transplantation.

Background: The intrarenal resistive index is routinely measured in many renal-transplantation centers for assessment of renal-allograft status, although the value of the resistive index remains unclear.

Methods: In a single-center, prospective study involving 321 renal-allograft recipients, we measured the resistive index at baseline, at the time of protocol-specified renal-allograft biopsies (3, 12, and 24 months after transplantation), and at the time of biopsies performed because of graft dysfunction. A total of 1124 renal-allograft resistive-index measurements were included in the analysis.

Serum concentrations of p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate, but not inflammatory markers, increase in incident peritoneal dialysis patients in parallel with loss of residual renal function.

Background: High serum concentrations of the protein-bound uremic retention solutes p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IndS) and inflammation are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease. Renal clearance contributes to up to 80% of the total clearance of PCS and IndS in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Cross-sectional studies evaluating the impact of residual renal function (RRF) on serum concentrations of PCS, IndS, and circulating inflammatory markers have yielded conflicting results.