Subclavian hemodialysis catheter infections: a prospective, randomized trial of an attachable silver-impregnated cuff for prevention of catheter-related infections.

Objective: To determine if an attachable silver-impregnated cuff is effective in reducing subclavian hemodialysis catheter-related infections.

Design: Prospective, randomized, nonblinded study.

Setting: Community teaching hospital.

Subclavian hemodialysis catheter infections.

One hundred sixteen subclavian hemodialysis catheter placements in 88 patients were prospectively evaluated for catheter-related infections. Semiquantitative culture techniques and a rigid infection control protocol were used. The overall catheter colonization rate was 21.

Mesenteric ischemia in chronic dialysis patients.

6 chronic dialysis patients with acute mesenteric ischemia are described. 3 had nonocclusive infarctions, and 3 had occlusive disease. 5 of the patients had episodes of severe hypotension or hypovolemia immediately before the onset of abdominal symptoms.

Renal failure in Wegener's granulomatosis: recovering following dialysis and cyclophosphamide-prednisone therapy.

Two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and severe renal failure are described. Both patients required hemodialysis for control of uremic symptoms. Cyclophosphamide-prednisone therapy successfully controlled the extra-renal manifestations of their disease and reversed the renal failure so that dialysis could be discontinued.

Autosomal or X-linked recessive syndrome of congenital lymphedema, hypoparathyroidism, nephropathy, prolapsing mitral valve, and brachytelephalangy.

Two brothers were found to have an unusual congenital syndrome of lymphedema, pulmonary lymphagiectasia, hypoparthyroidism, hereditary nephropathy, prolapsing mitral valve, and other somatic abnormalities.