Automated 3D ultrasound enables novice users to measure arteriovenous fistula maturation parameters with comparable accuracy to conventional duplex by trained sonographers: Results of a benchtop study.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are considered the preferred hemodialysis access but up to 50% of all AVF created in the United States never mature. Doppler ultrasound (DUS) is useful for predicting fistula maturity and impending fistula failure. DUS is resource-intensive and is associated with poor compliance rates in dialysis patients, ranging from 12% to 33%.

Practice Patterns for the Acceptance of Medically Complex Living Kidney Donors with Hematuria, Sickle Cell Trait, Smoking, Illegal Drug Use, or Urological Issues: A Multinational Survey.

 To review the practice patterns for the acceptance of medically complex living kidney donors (MCLKD) among the transplant providers of the international transplant community.  We distributed a survey globally, through major international transplantation societies, among nephrologists and transplant surgeons (TS). The survey contained questions regarding potential donors with microscopic hematuria, sickle cell trait, renal cysts, kidney stones, smoking, or illegal drug use.

Practice Patterns in the Acceptance of Medically Complex Living Kidney Donors with Obesity, Hypertension, Family History of Kidney Disease, or Donor-Recipient Age Discrepancy.

 To assess the practice patterns of the acceptance of medically complex living kidney donors (MCLKDs).  We distributed a survey to nephrologists and transplant surgeons (TS) across the world through major international transplant societies. The survey contained questions regarding obesity, abnormal blood glucose profile, mild hypertension, donor-recipient age discrepancy, or family history of kidney disease of unknown etiology.

ASDIN white paper: Management of cephalic arch stenosis endorsed by the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology.

Brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) makeup approximately one third of prevalent dialysis vascular accesses. The most common cause of malfunction with this access is cephalic arch stenosis (CAS). The accepted requirement for treatment of a venous stenosis lesion is ⩾50% stenosis associated with hemodynamically abnormalities.

Safe and effective HeRO graft placement: Technique and results.

Objectives: Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) grafts are used when venous outflow is inadequate to support conventional access. These have been perceived as complex to implant and being associated with high risk. We have evolved a defined protocol for insertion that minimizes morbidity and maximizes efficiency.

Acoustic pressure wound therapy for management of mixed partial- and full-thickness burns in a rural wound center.

Infection, pain, and cosmetically unacceptable scarring frequently complicate full-thickness burns. Outpatient management can be difficult without specialized care. A retrospective case series study was conducted in a rural wound center lacking specialized burn care to assess the clinical effectiveness of acoustic pressure wound therapy, a noncontact low-frequency, nonthermal ultrasound wound therapy that accelerates healing through positive pressure, stimulating fibroblasts, clearing bacteria and debris, and relieving pain.

Assessment of clinical pharmacist management of lipid-lowering therapy in a primary care setting.

Background: Pharmacists have been shown to positively impact the outcomes of care for treatment of many different kinds of disease states. In particular, pharmacist-run lipid clinics have enjoyed varying degrees of success, depending on the outcome assessed. At our hospital, when a patient is transferred to the pharmacist-coordinated lipid clinic, the primary care pharmacist is responsible for ordering and interpreting labs and prescribing and monitoring lipid-altering therapy.