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Biomedical subjects

E López de Novales

Publications and source records attributed to E López de Novales.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Multicenter study of darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of anemia secondary to chronic renal insufficiency on dialysis].

This Spanish single-arm, multicenter, prospective clinical trial assessed the maintenance of hemoglobin concentrations (Hb) between 10-13 g/dL with unit doses of darbepoetin alfa and the safety of the treatment in dialysis patients. Eight-hundred twenty-six patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) (94% receiving haemodialysis and 6% receiving peritoneal dialysis) previously maintained on stable recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) therapy with stable hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations (mean Hb concentration = 11.7 g/dL) were switched to darbepoetin alfa at a reduced dosing frequency for 24 weeks (a 20-week titration phase plus a 4-week treatment evaluation phase). Subjects receiving r-HuEPO two or three times weekly were switched to darbepoetin alfa once weekly, and those. who were receiving r-HuEPO once weekly were switched to darbepoetin alfa once every two weeks. The initial dose of darbepoetin alfa was determined from the r-HuEPO dose at inclusion into the study using a formula equating the peptide mass of the two molecules and rounding to the nearest available prefilled syringe dose. Overall, 86.8% of patients completed the 24-weeks of study. Changing the treatment from r-HuEPO to darbepoetin alfa and increasing the dose interval did not result in any clinically significant change in the Hb concentration. From base-line to the evaluation phase, the mean Hb fell 0.09 (95% CI, -0.2; -0.0) g/dl, with an increase of 0.19 (95% CI, 0.0;0.3) g/dL i.v. and a decrease of 0.22 (95% CI, -0.3; -0.1) g/dL s.c.). This maintenance of the mean Hb concentration was accompanied by a mean 9.8% reduction of the darbepoetin alfa dose (19.7% (95% CI, -24.9; -14.2) i.v. and 4.7% (95% CI, -8.5; -0.7) s.c. Treatment with darbepoetin alfa was well tolerated and no unexpected adverse events were reported. In conclusion, the replacement of previous r-HuEPO treatment by darbepoetin alfa in the therapy of anemia secondary to chronic renal failure in diaiyzed patients was effective, well tolerated, and decreased the frequency of dose administration compared with the previous r-HuEPO treatment. Darbepoetin alfa administered once weekly or once every two weeks maintained the baseline Hb levels whilst allowing dose reduction, which was higher in patients receiving i.v. darbepoetin alfa.

Aged↗

[Survival of myeloma patients treated with dialysis].

BACKGROUND: Renal failure is a common complication of myeloma. Renal replacement therapy in these patients is controversial due to poor survival outcomes and low tolerance to treatment. We reviewed our experience on patients with myeloma undergoing dialysis therapy at one centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1980 and 2000, 28 patients (21 men and 7 women) with myeloma were admitted to chronic dialysis programme and the following variables were analysed: sex, age when starting dialysis, lapse of time between diagnosis of myeloma and admission to dialysis (TD), disease stage, comorbity, mode of presentation, calcium, creatinine at diagnostic, albumin and Hb at the beginning of dialysis, and cause of death. We studied survival among these patients (Kaplan-Meier), identified predictors of survival outcome (Cox's regression) and compared survival between the two decades studied. RESULTS: Mean age was 65 years, median TD was 0.4 months, and modes of presentation were: end-stage renal failure (18 patients), acute renal failure (8), amyloldosis (2). Eleven patients (39%) had myeloma IgG, four (14%) IgA and thirteen (46%) had light chains. Kappa light chain was the most frequent one. In 75% of patients myeloma was at IIIb stage. Cause of death were: Cardiovascular disease (5 patients), infections (4), suspension of treatment (4), tumours (4), and others causes (2). Median survival for all patients was 16.8 months (range 0.4-78) and 25% survived over 39 months. Hb level was the only significant predictor in the multivariant analysis (p = 0.02). In the 80's median survival was 6.17 months versus 17 months in the 90's but this difference was not significant with long-rank test. CONCLUSION: Although survival of patients with myeloma treated with dialysis is still short, 25 percent survive over 3 years, being Hb level the only predictive factor. Moreover, we observed an improvement of survival in recent years.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

[Long-term effects of captopril versus nifedipine retard on the lipid profile of mild to moderate normolipidemic essential hypertension patients. In representation of the Eastern Andalouz Cooperative Study].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term (12 months) effects of captopril and nifedipine retard on the lipid profile of the non obese, non diabetic and normolipemic essential hypertensives. In a multicenter, randomised, open study we included 185 mild-moderate essential hypertensives responders to captopril (n = 96) or nifedipine retard (n = 89) in monotherapy, and with a total cholesterol between 200-239 mg/dl. No dietetic recommendations were given to the patients, except for moderate salt restriction. After 1 year follow-up, our results show that both drugs improved the lipid profile of the hypertensives. Patients with nifedipine retard showed a statistical significant decrease in the level of the total and LDL cholesterol and apoprotein B; while total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apoproteins significantly decreased in the group treated with captopril. The possible pharmacological mechanisms involved in these beneficial effects are discussed; concluding that these properties made much more attractive these drugs to be used as first step therapy in the essential hypertensives.

Adult↗

[Rapidly progressive glomerular disease treated with plasmapheresis (author's transl)].

A case of rapidly progressive glomerular disease with 100% of epithelial crescents completely enveloping each glomerulus, prolonged anuria and renal failure requiring dialysis. There were no indications of either streptococcal etiology or systemic disease. Improvement in renal function in response to plasmapheresis and immunosuppressants was spectacular. During two subsequent episodes of renal failure with diminished diuresis response to plasmapheresis was again striking. Assay for circulating immune-complex was always negative. No anti-basement membrane antibodies were found. Due to the lack of an adequate vascular access plasmapheresis was discontinued and the patient died 7 months after onset. Tendency to interstitial glomerular sclerosis was established with three renal biopsy specimens taken during progression of the disease. Intense metabolic acidosis suggestive of tubular acidosis, disproportionate to renal insufficiency presented during the last months. Pathologic and prognostic aspects as well as possible access for plasmapheresis are discussed.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗