Preventing dialysis hypotension: a comparison of usual protective maneuvers.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P G Gerlag.
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A 66-year-old man developed a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) with acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia, fragmented red cells in the blood film and elevated serum LDH following a capnocytophaga canimorsus (DF-2) infection after a dog bite. He was treated with antibiotics, plasmapheresis and hemodialysis. Although hematologic values improved, the patient remained hemodialysis-dependent for six months. In the literature several cases of renal failure following capnocytophaga canimorsus septicemia have been described, caused by hypotension or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In our patient there were no signs of hypotension or extensive DIC. A few case reports described HUS and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) following DF-2 sepsis.
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Severe congestive heart failure (CHF) is often characterised by fluid retention. A (chronic) state of overhydration has a negative influence on both the quality of life and prognosis of these patients. Therefore, the use of diuretics remains a cornerstone in the treatment of heart failure. However, diuretic resistance, a failure to correct the hydration state adequately with the use of conventional dosages of loop diuretics, is a frequently occurring complication in the treatment of advanced stages of CHF. Several intra- and extrarenal mechanisms may be involved in the development of diuretic resistance. An important pathophysiological mechanism leading to diuretic resistance seen after chronic use of loop diuretics is the functional adaptation of the distal tubule. Studies in animals demonstrate that the sodium reabsorption capacity of this nephron segment increases significantly when the sodium delivery to this segment is augmented, as is the case during administration of loop diuretics. The use of combinations of diuretics acting on different segments of the nephron appears to be an effective option in the treatment of diuretic resistance. Several combinations have been used; however, the combination of a loop diuretic and a thiazide drug acting on the distal tubule appears to be the most effective. However, since the use of this combination may lead to serious adverse effects such as hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis and dehydration, careful monitoring of the patient of combination diuretic therapy is necessary.
Three patients with chronic heart failure, men aged 29, 78 and 69 years, developed severe dyspnoea and oedema in spite of reduced sodium and fluid intake and medication including furosemide. Heart failure may become 'resistant to diuretics' due to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic causes. High-dose continuous intravenous administration of a loop diuretic may afford relief in such cases, if necessary in combination with a thiazide derivative, an ACE inhibitor, an inotropic agent or an extracorporal technique. Monitoring and correction of the state of hydration of a patient with chronic heart failure may improve the prognosis and the quality of life.
BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that correction of metabolic acidosis might improve the nutritional state of acidotic haemodialysis (HD) patients partly because of a reduced oxidation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). AIM: We investigated whether bicarbonate (Bic) supplementation in acidotic HD patients results in increased plasma levels of BCAA. METHODS: In a longitudinal study (run-in period, 2 months; study period, 6 months), the effect of Bic supplementation on plasma levels of BCAA was studied in 12 acidotic HD patients (7 men, 5 women, mean age 54 +/- 18 years) with a predialysis bicarbonate (Bic) concentration smaller or equal to 22 mmol/l. Bic was supplemented by increasing Bic concentration of the dialysate and by oral Bic supplementation. RESULTS: Predialysis Bic increased significantly during the study period (18.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 23.1 +/- 11.5 mmol/l). There was no change in nutritional parameters. However, plasma levels of the BCAA valine, leucine, and isoleucine increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In haemodialysis patients with metabolic acidosis, Bic supplementation over a 6-months period resulted in an increase in plasma levels of BCAA. Further study is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind, and the clinical importance of the observed changes in plasma BCAA levels.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In a retrospective study the medical records of 122 patients aged over 65 years at the start of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in our dialysis centre were analysed. RESULTS: The mean age at the start of RRT was 72.7 +/- 5.7 years (range 65.0-90.3). Seventy-six percent were treated with haemodialysis, 21% with haemofiltration and 3% with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. There was no significant difference in survival between the different modes of treatment. The median survival was 23.8 months, the actuarial survival rates at 2, 5 and 7 years were 50, 27 and 18%, respectively. Patients aged between 65 and 75 years had a median survival of 36.4 months, patients above 75 years of 12.5 months (P = 0.009). Patients with tubulo-interstitial nephritis had a significantly longer survival than patients with other renal diseases. When chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or peripheral vascular disease was present, there was a significantly shorter survival. There was no difference in survival between patients with malignancy, cardiac diseases, diabetes mellitus or cerebrovascular diseases before the start of RRT and others. After the start of RRT there was a significant increase of infectious and psychiatric disease. During the study period 70% died, most frequently from cardiovascular causes (28%), discontinuation of dialysis treatment (28%) or infection (19%). CONCLUSIONS: We think that both survival and quality of life in elderly patients during RRT are acceptable, and that neither age nor comorbidity should be a contraindication to RRT.
OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of high dose furosemide as a continuous infusion was compared with a bolus injection of equal dose in patients with severe heart failure. BACKGROUND: The delivery rate of furosemide into the nephron has been proved to be a determinant of diuretic efficacy in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In a randomized crossover study we compared the efficacy of a continuous infusion of high dose furosemide (mean daily dosage 690 mg, range 250 to 2,000) versus a single bolus injection of an equal dose in 20 patients with severe heart failure. The patients received an equal dosage, either as a single intravenous bolus injection or as an 8-h continuous infusion preceded by a loading dose (20% of total dosage). RESULTS: Mean (+/- SEM) daily urinary volume (infusion 2,860 +/- 240 ml, bolus 2,260 +/- 150 ml, p = 0.0005) and sodium excretion (infusion 210 +/- 40 mmol, bolus 150 +/- 20 mmol, p = 0.0045) were significantly higher after treatment with continuous infusion than with bolus injection, despite significantly lower urinary furosemide excretion (infusion 310 +/- 60 mg every 24 h, bolus 330 +/- 60 mg every 24 h, p = 0.0195). The maximal plasma furosemide concentration was significantly higher after bolus injection than during continuous infusion (infusion 24 +/- 5 micrograms/ml, bolus 95 +/- 20 micrograms/ml, p < 0.0001). Short-term, completely reversible hearing loss was reported only after bolus injection in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in patients with severe heart failure, high dose furosemide administered as a continuous infusion is more efficacious than bolus injection and causes less ototoxic side effects.
OBJECTIVE: We studied the synergism between high-dose furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide in patients with severe congestive heart failure and impaired renal function showing diuretic resistance to a daily dose of furosemide of at least 250 mg. DESIGN AND SETTING: An open study. A general hospital in The Netherlands. METHODS: In 20 patients with severe congestive heart failure (stage III-IV according to the New York Heart Association) with an oedematous mass of more than 5 kg and a proven diuretic resistance to high-dose furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (25-100 mg daily) was added to the medication for 3-12 days, leaving the other medication unchanged. After correction of the hydration state, hydrochlorothiazide was withdrawn. Variables included body weight, serum electrolytes, renal function and natriuresis. RESULTS: Addition of hydrochlorothiazide resulted in a mean (+/-standard deviation) body weight reduction of 6.7 +/- 3.3 kg per patient. Mean daily urine volume increased from 1899 +/- 958 ml to 3065 +/- 925 ml (P < 0.001). Fractional sodium excretion increased significantly from 3.5 +/- 3.2% to 11.5 +/- 9.0% (P < 0.001). The most important side effect of this combination therapy appeared to be hypokalaemia. Mean endogenous creatinine clearance decreased (not significantly) from 32.7 +/- 22.5 ml. min-1.1.73 m-2 to 27.6 +/- 22.5 ml. min-1.1.73 m-2. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of hydrochlorothiazide to high-dose furosemide is a powerful diuretic tool, even in patients with a significantly reduced renal function. Because of its potentially dangerous side effects (hypokalaemia), it should be used in a carefully controlled setting.
OBJECTIVE: Survival is the ultimate outcome measure in renal replacement therapy (RRT) and may be used to compare performance among centres. Such comparison, however, is meaningless if the influences of comorbidity, age and early deaths are not considered. We therefore studied survival rates on RRT in seven centres in Europe after taking into account the influence of age, early deaths, primary renal diagnoses, and comorbidity. DESIGN: A retrospective survival analysis was carried out on 1407 patients who commenced RRT in seven centres across five European countries during a 7-year period. Patients were stratified into low-, medium- and high-risk groups based mainly on comorbidity and to a lesser extent on age at commencement of RRT. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox's proportional hazards model were used to compare survival. RESULTS: Before risk stratification overall 2-year survival across the seven centres ranged from 60.2 to 85.3% (69.3-89.9%) after excluding early deaths) masking a range of survivals of 27.4% for the high-risk group with the worst survival to 100% in the low-risk group with the best survival. After excluding early deaths 2-year survival in the low risk groups (n=622) was greater than 90% in all centres. Multivariate analysis showed that the mortality risk increased four fold from low- to medium- and a further 1.6-fold from medium- to high-risk group. However, despite this adjustment for comorbidity and age there still remained a significant difference in survival among some centres, i.e. a 'centre effect' which ranked the centres. CONCLUSION: Risk stratification diminishes the variance in survival between centres but a centre effect remains despite adjusting for age and comorbidity. Multicentre prospective studies are urgently required to identify the reasons for this apparent centre effect.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefits and problems of chronic intermittent treatment with haemofiltration or haemodialysis or both in patients with severe chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV) and oedema refractory to pharmacological treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective case-cohort study. A general hospital in The Netherlands. PATIENTS: The results of chronic intermittent treatment with haemofiltration (n = 10) or haemodialysis (n = 2) were analysed in patients with severe chronic heart failure, predominantly due to coronary heart disease, and oedema refractory to a pharmacological regimen including high dose frusemide. INTERVENTION: Patients had an average of 25 (SD 38) treatments. RESULTS: There was improvement of NYHA class IV to III in seven patients. However, this was not reflected in a decrease in hospital admission: only two patients could be managed as outpatients. The median survival after start of the treatment was 24 days (varying from 0 to 393 days). In four patients the treatment was discontinued after discussion with the patient and family. CONCLUSIONS: The use of chronic intermittent haemofiltration and haemodialysis is of limited value in end stage chronic heart failure with oedema, refractory to maximal conventional treatment.
It has been suggested that hemodynamic instability and impaired vascular reactivity during combined ultrafiltration-hemodialysis are related to bioincompatibility factors such as dialysate-derived contaminants or the dialyzer. The study presented here investigated whether vascular reactivity could be improved by the use of sterile dialysate. Forearm vascular resistance and venous tone (measured by strain-gauge plethysmography) as well as arterial blood pressure (by Dinamap) and heart rate (by electrocardiogram) were measured in ten stable dialysis patients (age range, 28 to 71 yr) during 2 h of combined ultrafiltration-hemodialysis (bicarbonate; ultrafiltration rate 1.0 L/h). In addition, a dialysate sample was obtained for culture and limulus amebocyte lysate testing while blood was withdrawn for the estimation of plasma bactericidal/permeability increasing factor (measured by ELISA) and the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor p75 (measured by ELISA). Patients served as their own control, comparing dialysis with nonsterile and sterile dialysate. No bacterial growth was observed in sterile dialysate, whereas all samples were positive for Pseudomonas in culture in nonsterile dialysis. All limulus amebocyte lysate tests were negative. Bactericidal/permeability increasing factor tended to increase during nonsterile dialysis (P = 0.063) and remained unchanged during sterile dialysis. In both treatments, tumor necrosis factor receptor p75 increased significantly (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in hemodynamic parameters between the treatment modalities. Despite use of sterile dialysate, forearm vascular resistance remained unchanged whereas venous tone decreased significantly. These results indicate that vascular reactivity during combined ultrafiltration-hemodialysis is not improved by the use of sterile dialysate.
Ten haemodialysis (HD) patients with a median residual creatinine clearance (CLCR) of 1.9 ml.min-1 x 1.73 m-2 (range 0.6-5.3) were treated with oral furosemide (F) 2.0 g. Overall-efficiency (O-E, daily sodium excretion/total urinary F) and total-efficiency (delta-E, increase in daily sodium excretion/total urinary F) were measured on the last 24 hours of each interdialysis interval. In addition, O-E was measured during the complete interdialysis interval in 10 HD patients with a median CLCR of 5.6 ml.min-1 x 1.73 m-2 (range 0.7-6.8) treated for 1 year with a fixed oral dose of F between 250-1000 mg (median 625 mg). In the short study the median O-E was 10.6 mmol.mg-1 (range 1.9-22.0) and delta-E 6.2 mmol.mg-1 (range 1.3-11.2). The fractional excretion of sodium FENa was significantly increased from 9.6% (range 4.1-22.9) to 27% (range 14.6-56.2) during F treatment. A positive correlation was found between the basal FENa and delta-E. In the long-term study median O-E was 6.4 mmol.mg-1. O-E and FENa showed no change over time although median RCC decreased from 5.6 to 1.9 ml.min-1 x 1.73 m-2 and median F excretion from 11.8 to 7.5 mg per day. It can be concluded that diuretic efficiency in haemodialysis patients is dependent on FENa and the state of hydration during the interdialysis interval.
OBJECTIVES: To assess fistula patency and complication rates in braciocephalic elbow fistulas of both the Gracz and the side-to-side configuration. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. METHODS: Life table patency and complications of 50 Gracz fistulas and 23 side-to-side elbow fistulas created between 1988 and 1993 were reviewed. RESULTS: The cumulative patency for the elbow fistulas was 84% after 1 year and 78% after 3 years. No difference was found between the Gracz fistula and the side-to-side elbow fistula. Stenosis was the most frequent indication for revision and thrombosis was the most frequent cause of fistula failure. CONCLUSION: The elbow fistula has a long patency with few complications and performs as well as wrist fistulas and better than the graft fistulas reported in the literature. The Gracz elbow fistula has results as good as the side-to-side elbow fistula. Graft fistulas should be reserved for tertiary procedures only.
We performed a retrospective study of the clinical features, the pattern of the pre-treatment renal function loss, the renal morphology and the outcome in 92 patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies directed against proteinase 3 (aPR3; N = 46) or myeloperoxidase (aMPO; N = 46). Patients with aMPO had a higher median age than patients with a PR3 (63 and 56 years; P < 0.05). The mean (+/- SD) number of affected organs in the aPR3 group exceeded that of the aMPO group (3.9 +/- 1.4 and 2.2 +/- 1.1; P < 0.01). The prevalence of renal involvement did not differ between patients with aPR3 and aMPO (83% and 67%, respectively; NS). Pre-treatment renal function deteriorated significantly faster in aPR3- than in aMPO-associated renal disease. The kidney biopsies from patients with aPR3 showed a higher activity index (10.2 +/- 3.8 and 7.3 +/- 3.2; P < 0.03) and a lower chronicity index (4.5 +/- 2.6 and 7.0 +/- 3.1; P < 0.02) than biopsies from patients with aMPO. The kidney survival at two years was 73% in patients with aPR3- and 61% in patients with aMPO-associated renal disease (NS). We conclude that renal function generally deteriorates faster in aPR3- than in aMPO-associated renal disease. This goes together with more active renal lesions in patients with aPR3 and more chronic renal lesions in patients with aMPO. Despite these differences, there is no difference in outcomes between both antibody groups.
In five patients (4 men aged 34, 20, 22 and 29 years, and a woman of 34 years) tubulo-interstitial nephritis developed during treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) containing drugs for colitis ulcerosa, proctocolitis or Crohn's disease. Two patients had an impaired renal function before treatment with 5-ASA medication. In all patients there was only an incomplete recovery of renal function after cessation of the therapy. It is therefore necessary to monitor renal function regularly in patients receiving 5-ASA containing preparations.
PURPOSE: Wrist fistulas are increasingly difficult to establish in the aging hemodialysis population. We assessed fistula patency and occlusion rate in elbow fistulas compared with wrist and graft fistulas. METHODS: We analyzed all 104 fistulas created in all 68 patients who underwent hemodialysis during October 1993 at the St. Joseph General Teaching Hospital, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. Life-table patency and complications were analyzed for 31 elbow fistulas, 56 wrist fistulas, and 17 polytetrafluoroethylene or saphenous vein graft fistulas. RESULTS: The patency rate for elbow fistulas was 93% at 1 year and 80% at 3 years. Wrist fistulas had a patency rate of 76% at 1 year and 65% at 3 years. Graft fistulas had a poorer patency rate: 69% at 1 year and 62% at 3 years. There were significantly more failures in the wrist fistulas (p < 0.02). Thrombosis accounted for most fistula failures. Venous stenosis was the most frequent indication for revision. The high incidence of concomitant diseases was not related to fistula outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The elbow fistula performed better than the wrist fistula. Liberal use of the elbow fistula is justified, especially when the epifascial veins or the radial artery at the wrist is in poor condition. Graft fistulas should be reserved for tertiary procedures.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of treatment with continuous intravenous infusion of furosemide (F) in patients with refractory congestive heart failure. DESIGN: Open uncontrolled dose-response study. SUBJECTS: Patients with congestive heart failure (those with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III and IV with an assessed amount of oedema of more than 5 kg and diuretic resistance were included [n = 10]). Diuretic resistance was defined as: failure to lose weight and/or inappropriate urinary sodium excretion (50 mmol 24 h-1) despite bed rest for a period of 2-3 days, salt and water restriction, orally and intravenously administered furosemide in a dose of 250 mg day-1, digoxin, and when possible an ACE inhibitor. Included patients were treated with continuous F infusion at a delivery rate of 20 mg-1 over 24 h. The infusion rate was gradually heightened up to a maximum dose of 160 mg h-1. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Daily physical examination, history of side-effects, determination of serum electrolytes and 24-h electrolyte excretion during treatment with furosemide. RESULTS: Weight loss (mean +/- SD; 12.5 +/- 5 kg) and relief of symptoms was achieved in all patients. Mean (+/- SD) 24-h sodium output rose from 19 +/- 16 mmol 24 h-1 (n = 10) on oral therapy with 250 mg F to 137 +/- 85 mmol 24 h-1 (n = 8) during 80 mg h-1 and to 268 +/- 124 mmol 24 h-1 (n = 3) on the maximal dose of 160 mg h-1. CONCLUSION: Continuous infusion of F under careful monitoring of the patient is a safe, controllable and efficient treatment in patients with severe congestive heart failure and diuretic resistance.