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G C Cancarini

Publications and source records attributed to G C Cancarini.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Clinical aspects of peritoneal sclerosis.

Peritoneal sclerosis (PS) occurs in various clinical situations in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients. Some degree of PS is often present in long-term PD patients, generally without clinical or functional consequences. At the other end of the spectrum of PS there is Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP). Though infrequent, it is very severe. SEP is not a complication exclusive to PD; it is a syndrome related to many diseases of abdominal organs, some drugs and abdominal surgery. Remarkably, in many cases, the first symptoms of SEP appear months or years after the change from PD to HD has occurred. Today there is no full agreement about the microscopical findings of SEP or about the name of this syndrome: SEP or Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS). The main etiopathogenetic factor for PS is the poor biocompatibility of PD solutions. In the etiopathogenesis of SEP, other factors in addition to the PD fluids have been suggested as possible causes (peritonitis, drugs, disinfectants, etc.). This paper reviews all the clinical aspects of PS and SEP: pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and therapy.

Animals↗

[Guidelines of the Italian Society of Nephrology. Peritoneal dialysis Guidelines].

The adequate dosage of peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been defined (using unrandomized and uncontrolled studies) asKt/V = 2, with a total (peritoneal + renal) creatinine clearance = 60 mL/min. The recent prospective, randomized ADEMEX study, suggests targets of 1.8 and 54 mL/min respectively. Dialysis must also be adequate to control fluid removal, phosphate levels, nutritional status, and hypertension. The targets for automated PD (APD) should be either 10% more than CAPD or similar, depending on the time of blood sample collection either immediately at the end of the automated exchanges or 6 to 8 hours after. A peritoneal equilibration test should be done 1 to 2 months after the start of PD, yearly, and when peritoneal permeability or ultrafiltration changes occurr. Residual renal function must be protected as long as possible by avoiding nephrotoxic drugs and excessive dehydration. Every effort must be taken in the attempt to maintain a good nutritional status and to diagnose as soon as possible any changes toward malnutrition. Hypertension has a high prevalence in PD patients and has negative effects on both cardiovascular status and patient survival. However, anti-hypertensive therapy should avoid hypotension, mainly in older patients, who are more at risk for cerebrovascular accident. Hyperparathiroidism must be controlled by diet, phosphate binders, and calcitriol supplement, but attention must be paid to avoid cardiac and vascular calcifications. Peritonitis and exit-site infection should be prevented by all means available. In the case of infection, empiric antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible and then adapted according to the antibiogram.

Catheterization↗

CAPD viability: a long-term comparison with hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term viability of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) to that of hemodialysis (HD). DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients of our institution starting dialysis between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1993, and surviving for at least 2 months. PATIENTS: Five hundred and seventy-eight new patients (51.3% on CAPD and 48.6% on HD). MAIN OUTCOMES STUDIED: Cox-adjusted assessment of patient and technique survival, and of technique success. Differences in results for two successive periods of time. RESULTS: Patient survival did not differ between CAPD and HD after adjusting for age and comorbidity, and significantly improved in the second part of the follow-up (1987-1993). Technique failure was significantly higher on CAPD, in which it was inversely related to age. The probability of a patient continuing on the first method of dialysis ("technique success") was significantly lower on CAPD than on HD, but the difference decreased progressively with age and disappeared in patients > or = 75 years. CONCLUSION: CAPD is as effective as HD in preserving life in uremic patients in the long-term, and gives better results in the older elderly. In adults, the lower technique success rate may not be a problem for patients with access to a good transplantation program; for others, this drawback must be weighed against the advantages of home treatment.

Adolescent↗

A randomized controlled trial of a bicarbonate- and a bicarbonate/lactate-containing dialysis solution in CAPD.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bicarbonate- and bicarbonate/lactate-based PD fluids. DESIGN: A randomly allocated prospective controlled trial lasting eight weeks. SETTING: Five renal units in Europe. PATIENTS: Individuals who have been treated by CAPD for at least three months and who have had at least one month's therapy with 40 mmol/L lactate PD fluid. Those with recent infection, diabetes or other serious illness are excluded. Forty-seven individuals have entered the study so far. INTERVENTIONS: Patients are randomly allocated to three groups. Group 1 receive 40 mmol/L lactate dialysate, Group 2 are given 38 mmol/L bicarbonate fluid and Group 3 are tested with a 25 mmol/L bicarbonate and 15 mmol/L lactate dialysate. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure is the plasma bicarbonate level. Adverse events and ease of use of the two-chambered bags used by Groups 2 and 3 are also being assessed. RESULTS: To date, plasma bicarbonate levels have been the same in all treatment groups up to the end of the trial period. There are no differences in serum lactate levels. No side effects are attributable to the test fluids. The patients have managed the two-chambered bags successfully. CONCLUSION: This trial is still ongoing, but to date, neutral bicarbonate based fluids have been as effective as lactate dialysate in treating uremic acidosis.

Adult↗

Clinical evaluation of a peritoneal dialysis solution with 33 mmol/L bicarbonate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new peritoneal dialysis solution with 33 mmol/L bicarbonate. DESIGN: In an acute, prospective, randomized cross-over study, 8 patients were randomized in two groups of 4. On the first study day, the first group performed two consecutive 4-hour exchanges with a dialysis solution containing 35 mmol/L lactate: the first exchange with 13.6 g/L and the second with 38.6 g/L dextrose. On the second study day, the same type of exchanges were performed with bicarbonate. The second group underwent the same treatment, but used bicarbonate solutions on the first day and control solutions on the second study day. Thirty-three patients participated in a 2-month prospective and randomized study. After a 4-week baseline period using solutions containing 40 mmol/L lactate, the patients were dialyzed with either 33 mmol/L bicarbonate solutions or 40 mmol/L lactate solutions. SETTING: Peritoneal dialysis units at the University Hospital of Brescia and the Niguarda Hospital of Milan, Italy. RESULTS: Acute study: Control and bicarbonate solutions had similar effects on blood chemistries and peritoneal transport. Chronic study: Mean venous bicarbonate concentrations remained unchanged in the control group (26.6-27.2 mmol/L), but decreased significantly in the bicarbonate group from 28.8 mmol/L at the start of the study to 23.0 mmol/L after 2 months of bicarbonate administration. Other biochemical parameters remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: A peritoneal dialysis solution with a bicarbonate level of 33 mmol/L does not adequately correct uremic acidosis.

Adult↗