Serial change in echocardiographic parameters and cardiac failure in end-stage renal disease.

Echocardiographic abnormalities are the rule in patients starting dialysis therapy and are associated with the development of cardiac failure and death. It is unknown, however, whether regression of these abnormalities is associated with an improvement in prognosis. As part of a prospective cohort study with mean follow-up of 41 mo, 227 patients had echocardiography at inception and after 1 yr of dialysis therapy.

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease: the Grace General Hospital experience.

After some patients were exposed to a blood product from a donor with Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, Winnipeg hospitals had to decide whether to inform them of the possibly minuscule health risk. The Salvation Army Grace Hospital decided to inform its patients, citing their fundamental right to facts regarding their own health; their need to make a responsible, informed decision regarding donation of their own blood or organs; and the need to maintain the trust and confidence of the public in the wake of the Krever inquiry.

Outcome and risk factors for left ventricular disorders in chronic uraemia.

Background: Left ventricular disease occurs frequently in dialysis patients. It may be manifest as concentric LV hypertrophy, LV dilatation with or without LV hypertrophy, or systolic dysfunction. Little is known concerning the clinical outcome and risk factors for these disorders.

Outcome and risk factors of ischemic heart disease in chronic uremia.

To determine the prognosis and risk factors for ischemic heart disease in chronic uremia, a cohort of 432 dialysis patients were followed prospectively from start of dialysis therapy until death or renal transplantation. Baseline demographic, clinical and echocardiographic data were obtained. After the initiation of dialysis laboratory data were collected at monthly intervals, and clinical and echocardiographic data at yearly intervals.