Platelet GP IIIA polymorphism HPA-1 (PLA1/2) is associated with hypertension as the primary cause for end-stage renal disease in hemodialysis patients from Greece.

Human platelets carry membrane glycoproteins that control platelet aggregation and activation. A number of clinical studies have suggested that certain polymorphisms of genes encoding these proteins increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. The frequency of gene polymorphisms for the four most common platelet glycoproteins (HPA 1, 2, 3 and 5) was examined and correlated with the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Greek patients on HD.

Prognostic utility of impedance cardiography measurements in elderly hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease.

Aim: We evaluated the utility of impedance cardiography (IC) in elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Patients And Methods: Seventy-five HD patients (30 with CAD) participated. IC cardiac output (ICCO), systemic vascular resistance and pulse pressure (PP) were calculated at baseline, and 30 and 180 days after study entry.

Mediterranean diet and prevention of coronary heart disease in the elderly.

There are now several scientific studies that relate this traditional dietary pattern with the incidence of coronary heart disease, various types of cancer, and other diseases. The past years have several observational and clinical studies suggested the mechanisms by which this traditional diet may affect coronary risk. This review underlines the importance of the Mediterranean dietary patterns in the prevention of coronary heart disease.

Cardiorenal syndrome at different stages of chronic kidney disease.

The central concept of the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is that the heart and the kidney should be regarded not solely as individual organs but rather as a dipole with multiple interconnections. The interplay between the heart and the kidney seems complex and multifactorial: cardiac output, regulation of extracellular volume, blood pressure and renal sodium handling are the major parameters that determine the crosstalk between the 2 organs. These basic parameters are controlled through mediators (renin-angiotensin system, endothelin) and the relevant antagonists (natriuretic peptides).

Unusual clot formation following insertion of central double lumen catheter for hemodialysis.

Background: We report a case of a patient with chronic renal failure (CRF) due to fibrillary glomerulonephritis, who was admitted to our Hospital with fever accompanied by chills, of two days duration. Due to aggravation of his CRF, accompanied by severe metabolic acidosis, an internal jugular double lumen central vein catheter was inserted, through which he was hemodialyzed.

Methods: Blood cultures were negative.

Incidence and risk factors of coronary artery disease in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of coronary heart disease (CAD) in patients (pts) with end stage renal disease (ESRD) maintained on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and its association with the presence of predisposing factors. The study included 171 dialysis pts (107 male (M) and 64 female (F)). Mean age of pts was 67+/-13 years, mean time on dialysis 52.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in hemodialysis.

Background: Recently, the concept of the metabolic syndrome (MS) has emerged in an effort to group and study as a whole several cardiovascular risk factors. The definition of the metabolic syndrome requires the presence of 3 or more of the following parameters: high blood pressure (>/= 130/85), waist circumference >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women, HDL<50 mg/dL in men and <40 mg/dL in women, serum triglycerides >150 mg/dL and fasting blood glucose >/= 110 mg/dL.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of the MS and the specific patient characteristics in a cohort of hemodialysis patients.

Incidence and risk factors of coronary heart disease in elderly patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Aim: To determine the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients (pts) over 65 years (y) and its relation to common risk factors.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 128 hemodialysis (HD) pts (80 M and 48 F), mean age 73+/-6.5 years, mean time on HD 44.

Uremic pruritus.

Renal itch is a localized or generalized itch, affecting patients with Chronic Renal Failure, where there is no primary skin disease and no systemic or psychological dysfunction that might cause pruritus. Uremic pruritus (UP) is an unpleasant sensation, rarely appearing in earlier stages of chronic kidney disease. Renal transplantation is the definite solution for that problem.

Pregnancy outcome in women with pre-existing lupus nephritis.

The aim of the present study was to assess the fetal and maternal outcome in a cohort of patients with lupus nephritis. Twenty-four pregnancies in 22 women with lupus nephritis occurring between 1991 and 2000 were analysed retrospectively. Lupus nephritis was biopsy proven before pregnancy in all cases.

Association of serum nitric oxide levels with depressive symptoms: a study with end-stage renal failure patients.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a soluble gas produced by the activity of an enzyme found in neurons. It has been implicated in a great number of normal physiological functions (such as noradrenaline and dopamine release, memory and learning, regulation of the cerebrovascular system, modulation of wakefulness, modulation of nociception, olfaction, food intake and drinking) as well as pathologies (Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease, cerebral ischemia, stroke). Two reports have addressed the involvement of NO in depression.

Membranous glomerulonephritis: a morphometric study.

Archival material from 45 renal biopsies with a diagnosis of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) were studied by computer-aided image analysis in order to evaluate the prognostic significance of glomerular and interstitial morphometry in MGN. The control group consisted of thirty seven normal renal biopsy specimens. The surface area, the perimeter, the major axis length and the shape factor of renal glomeruli as well as the percentage of the interstitial fibrosis were measured.

Complications of vascular access in hemodialysis (HD)--aged vs adult patients.

Reports on the success of permanent vascular access in elderly HD patients vary considerably. We reviewed the records of 149 patients [62F and 87M] aged 20-89 years old (median 59) who were on hemodialysis for 6-242 (49 median) months, and had undergone 202 vascular access procedures (177 Cimmino-Brescia fistulae and 25 PTFE grafts). Patients were divided into two groups according to the age they started HD.

Successful use of recombinant human erythropoietin in a pregnant woman with lupus nephritis.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) is broadly accepted as treatment for anemia in dialysis and nondialysis patients with chronic renal failure, but data regarding the safety and efficacy of this drug in pregnancy are limited. Maternal and fetal problems have been reported to be associated with anemia during pregnancy. On the other hand, anemia is a frequent feature of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Procollagen type-I in the serum and dialysate of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Procollagen-I carboxylterminal extension peptide (PICP) was determined in the serum and dialysate of 26 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and in the serum of 11 healthy controls. PICP serum levels were significantly higher in CAPD patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001).

Elimination kinetics of mezlocillin in normal and impaired renal function including the effects of dialysis.

The kinetics of 6-[(R)-2-[3-methylsulfonyl-2-oxo-imidazolidine-1-carboxamido]-2-phenyl-acetamido]-penicillanic acid sodium salt (mezlocillin, Baypen) in renal failure were studied in 23 patients, given 5 g as i.v. infusion.