Resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents is associated with arterial microcalcification in early hemodialysis patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between arterial microcalcification (AMiC) and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) hyporesponsiveness in hemodialysis patients. The presence of AMiC was confirmed by pathologic examination of von Kossa-stained arterial specimens acquired during vascular access surgery. We assessed the ESA hyporesponsiveness index (EHRI), defined as the weekly ESA dose per kilogram body weight divided by the hemoglobin level.

Impact of arterial microcalcification of the vascular access on cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Gross vascular calcification seen on imaging studies is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and is a significant predictor for cardiovascular mortality in HD patients. We have reported that arterial microcalcification (AMiC) of the vascular access is associated with increased aortic stiffness. This study investigated the impact of vascular access AMiC on cardiovascular mortality in HD patients.

Renal artery thrombosis secondary to sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in acute pyelonephritis.

There are some reports of renal vein thrombosis associated with acute pyelonephritis, but a case of renal artery thrombosis in acute pyelonephritis has not been reported yet. Here we report a case of renal artery thrombosis which developed in a patient with acute pyelonephritis complicated with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 65-year-old woman with diabetes was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis complicated with sepsis.

IL-6 is an independent risk factor for resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in hemodialysis patients without iron deficiency.

Anemia is a common complication in dialysis patients because of their relative erythropoietin deficiency. Despite treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), some patients experienced ESA hyporesponsiveness. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory factors that affect ESA hyporesponsiveness and investigated the relationships between hepcidin, inflammatory markers, and the iron profiles of hemodialysis patients.

Acute coronary syndrome mimicking atypical stress-induced cardiomyopathy in a patient with panhypopituitarism.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is frequently confused with acute coronary syndromes. We encountered a 64-year old female patient with panhypopituitarism initially suspected as atypical stress-induced cardiomyopathy due to her history and initial echocardiographic findings. She was finally diagnosed as non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction based on the findings of coronary angiogram, intravascular ultrasound and subsequent echocardiogram.