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Biomedical subjects

R Marcén

Publications and source records attributed to R Marcén.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Delayed graft function does not reduce the survival of renal transplant allografts.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of delayed graft function (DGF) in graft outcome when adjusted by the presence of acute rejection in the first month after transplantation. METHODS: A total of 437 cadaveric renal transplant patients on cyclosporine and steroids were included in the study. Variables related to donor, recipient, and graft were prospectively collected. RESULTS: The incidence of DGF was 44.4%. When patients dying with a functioning graft were censored, graft survival rates at 1 and 6 years were similar in patients with immediate function to those with DGF, when rejection was not present (96% and 81% vs. 95% and 83%, respectively). Rejection negatively influenced graft survival rates at 1 and 6 years, both in patients with immediate graft function (80% and 73%, P<0.05 vs. no DGF/no rejection) and more deeply in those with associated DGF (77% and 62%, P<0.001 vs. no DGF/no rejection). Rejection was more frequently diagnosed in patients with DGF than in those with immediate graft function (50% vs. 39.9%, P<0.05). Length of hospitalization was longer and the number of needle core biopsies was higher in patients with DGF or rejection. The presence of both complications had an additive effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that DGF did not adversely affect kidney graft survival in patients without rejection. However, it increased the length of hospitalization and the number of graft biopsies, thus increasing the cost of transplantation. Moreover, rejection was more frequent in patients with DGF, and it had a negative impact on graft outcome. Because the association of DGF and rejection gave the poorest outcome, an effort should be made to prevent both complications.

Adolescent

Effect of different membranes on amino-acid losses during haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: We analysed amino-acid losses during haemodialysis, their influence on plasma amino-acid concentration, and their possible effects on nutritional state. METHODS: Five patients were dialysed with three membranes: cuprophan (CUP), polysulphone (PS), and polyacrylonitrile AN69 (PAN). We compared anthropometric and biochemical parameters after 6 months in patients dialysed with CUP respect to patients with PAN. RESULTS: Total losses of amino acids were higher with PAN than with PS and CUP (6.1 +/- 2.3 vs 3.8 +/- 1.3, P < 0.05, and 3.7 +/- 1.3 g/session, P < 0.01 respectively). Losses of essential amino acids (EAA) and nonessential amino acids (NEAA) were also higher with PAN respect to PS and CUP (1.8 +/- 0.8 vs 1 +/- 0.3 and 0.8 +/- 0.3, and 4.3 +/- 1.6 vs 2.8 +/- 1 and 2.9 +/- 1.1 g/session, P < 0.05). The percentage reduction for plasma EAA and NEAA were lower with CUP respect to PS and PAN (11 +/- 5% and 20 +/- 14% vs 25 +/- 10% and 33 +/- 11%, and 30 +/- 11% and 25 +/- 17% respectively, P < 0.05). There was no difference in the nutritional state between patients with CUP and PAN. However, plasma valine in patients with PAN was lower than in those with CUP (1.88 +/- 0.12 vs 2.13 +/- 0.32 mg/dl) and almost reached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: New synthetic membranes are advantageous with respect to conventional ones, but a disadvantage is the higher amino-acid losses, especially with polyacrylonitrile. Long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of amino-acid losses on nutritional state in patients dialysed with these membranes.

Adult

The impact of malnutrition in morbidity and mortality in stable haemodialysis patients. Spanish Cooperative Study of Nutrition in Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: When assessed by single biochemical measurements, malnutrition in dialysis patients is associated with increased mortality, but there are few data evaluating abnormalities in anthropometry or composite nutritional scores and outcome. The aim of our study was to ascertain the prevalence and severity of malnutrition in 761 stable patients from 20 haemodialysis centres and its influence in morbidity and mortality after one year of follow-up. METHODS: Malnutrition was estimated by scoring four anthropometric indexes; body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC); three biochemical measurements; serum albumin, serum transferrin and total lymphocyte count; and clinical examination. Mortality and hospitalizations were collected prospectively during the year of follow-up. RESULTS: A moderate/severe degree of malnutrition was presented by 51.6% of male and 46.3% of female patients. TSF was moderate-severely decreased in 41% without differences between males and females. MAMC was moderately decreased in 19.8% of males and in 8.1% of females (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the predictors of malnutrition were: age > 65 years (OR = 1.96, CI: 1.22-3.14), male sex (OR = 1.95, CI: 1.24-3.07), comorbidity index (OR = 1.23, CI: 1.03-1.45), time on dialysis (OR = 1.13, CI: 1.08-1.18), duration of dialysis (OR = 0.73, CI: 0.63-0.85) and PCR related to ideal body weight (OR = 0.17, CI: 0.06-0.50). After 1 year of follow-up, data from 442 patients were available. A total of 68 patients died (15.4%) with cardiovascular diseases being the most frequent cause of death (57.3% of the cases). The predictors of mortality were: age (OR = 1.06, CI: 1.03-1.09), cardiovascular disease (OR = 2.13, CI: 1.19-3.83), neurological disease (OR = 2.96, CI: 1.41-6.15), nephroangiosclerosis (OR = 2.34, CI: 1.10-4.98) and total lymphocyte count (OR = 0.93, CI: 0.87-0.98). Hospitalization was needed in 44% of patients. The comorbidity index, serum albumin and age were the predictive factors of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Protein-calorie malnutrition is frequent in haemodialysis patients. Fat depletion predominated in both sexes. Duration of dialysis and protein catabolic rate related to ideal body weight was the only predictor which could be influenced by a nutritional intervention. Morbidity appeared to be influenced by the comorbidity index and age was the strongest predictor of mortality. The only nutritional measurements predictive of morbidity and mortality were serum albumin and total lymphocyte count respectively. Therefore, the influence of malnutrition in morbidity and mortality can not be definitively stated.

Adolescent

Acute cardiovascular effects of intravenous cyclosporine.

The acute effects of intravenous (i.v.) cyclosporine A (CsA) on blood pressure and other haemodynamic parameters were examined in 8 patients with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis (HD). The study was performed after the mid-week haemodialysis session, when the patients were on their dry body weight. Each patient received an i.v. infusion of 5 mg/kg of CsA in 120 ml of 5% dextrose in water during 2 hours. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were monitored by the Holter system. An echocardiogram (M-mode 2-dimensional and Doppler sonography) was performed using an automatic device (Ultramark 6) before CsA administration, at 30, 60 and 120 minutes during CsA infusion, and at 30 minutes thereafter. SBP, DBP and calculated peripheral vascular resistance (CPVR) increased significantly in respect to basal values at 120 and 150 minutes (SBP: basal 130 +/- 21, 120 min: 136 +/- 20, 150 min: 140 +/- 18, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively. DBP: basal 80 +/- 9, 120 min: 86 +/- 13, 150 min: 88 +/- 13, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively. CPVR: basal 1000 +/- 228, 120 min: 1178 +/- 305, 150 min: 1236 +/- 270 dyne/s/cm5, p < 0.01). However, systolic volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) showed significant decreases from the basal values (SV: basal 103 +/- 29, 120 min: 85 +/- 22, 150 min: 85 +/- 17, p < 0.05. CO: basal 8.2 +/- 2, 120 min: 7.3 +/- 1.1, 150 min: 7 +/- 1.2 l/min, p < 0.05). In conclusion, CsA infusion produces a significant elevation of blood pressure, which seems to be mediated by a direct action on peripheral vascular resistance.

Adolescent

Effectiveness of intravenous administration of Fe-gluconate-Na complex to maintain adequate body iron stores in hemodialysis patients.

The evolution of body iron stores was prospectively analyzed during a stable erythropoiesis period in 27 subjects (14 males and 13 females) on hemodialysis for more than 2 years in order to clarify the iron requirements of these patients and the effectiveness and safety of the administration of sodium ferric gluconate as a method to maintain adequate body iron stores. All patients had a stable hemoglobin level (variation < 1 g/dl). Sixteen subjects were on maintenance recombinant human erythropoietin therapy at regular doses. All patients received intravenous sodium ferric gluconate for 6 months (62.5 mg/month). The iron requirements were estimated as the difference between the amount of iron administered and the variation of body iron stores (calculated by the empirical formula of Cook and coworkers). The hemoglobin remained stable (basal 10.7 +/- 1.1, at 6th month 10.6 +/- 1 g/dl). Considering all cases, there were no significant variations in body iron stores (basal 457 +/- 273, at 6th month 451 +/- 316 mg). The patients were classified into three groups according to whether their body iron stores decreased (group A, n = 8), remained stable (group B, n = 11), or increased (group C, n = 8). There were no differences among groups concerning sex, age, time on hemodialysis, or erythropoietin therapy. However, there were statistically significant differences concerning their basal body iron stores (group A 457 +/- 228 mg. group B 563 +/- 146, and group C 230 +/- 297 mg; p < 0.05, analysis of variance). The iron needs, considering the total group, were 2.12 +/- 2 mg/day. There were no differences in iron requirements according to sex, but menstruating women had higher iron needs than the nonmenstruating ones (4.29 +/- 2 vs. 2.08 +/- 1.45 mg/day; p < 0.01). The iron requirements in patients on erythropoietin therapy were higher than in those without (2.63 +/- 1.59 vs. 1.88 +/- 1.68 mg/day; p < 0.05). However, excluding the menstruating women, the iron need in patients on erythropoietin were similar to those in subjects without this treatment (2.16 +/- 1.13 vs. 1.88 +/- 1.68 mg/day). All patients showed good compliance with an excellent tolerance. We have observed that in subjects on maintenance erythropoietin therapy, the iron requirements are stable. The administration of sodium ferric gluconate is safe and efficient in maintaining adequate body iron stores.

Adult

Effect of rHuEpo therapy in dialysis patients on endogenous erythropoietin synthesis after renal transplantation.

UNLABELLED: We have undertaken a prospective study to examine the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy during dialysis on Epo levels after renal transplantation and to evaluate the impact of this therapy on the immediate graft function. Between December 1991 and December 1993, 91 renal transplant recipients were studied. There were 34 females and 57 males and the mean age was 38 years. Forty-two patients were treated during dialysis with rHuEpo due to anemia and 49 patients did not receive it. Endogenous Epo (eEpo), hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit level and serum creatinine were determined on days 0, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60 and 180 after transplantation. Ferritin level was determined pretransplant and on day 60. RESULTS: Patients not treated with rHuEpo during dialysis experienced a transient increase in endogenous Epo after renal transplant that was not observed in treated patients (26 +/- 3.3 vs. 9 +/- 1.5 mU/ml, p < 0.001). The eEpo peak was similar in patients with early or delayed graft function (23 +/- 4.3 vs. 32 +/- 5.4 mU/ml, NS). The recovery of the anemia after a successful renal transplant took place in patients treated as well as those not treated with rHuEpo without significant differences. In the treated group, the pretransplant hematocrit level was similar in patients with early or delayed graft function (31 +/- 3.5% vs. 32 +/- 4.8%), but in the untreated group, the hematocrit level was lower in patients with early renal function (28.5 +/- 4% vs. 32 +/- 3%, p < 0.05). However, these patients also had a significantly shorter warm ischemia time (53 +/- 13.8 vs. 64 +/- 14.5 min). Fifty-two percent of the rHuEpo-treated patients and 36% of the untreated patients had delayed graft function. In conclusion, different courses of eEpo levels after renal transplant were observed depending on whether or not patients had been treated with rHuEpo during dialysis. Untreated patients experienced a transient increase which was not observed in the treated group. Immediate or delayed graft function did not modify eEpo levels. No association was found between rHuEpo therapy during dialysis and delayed graft function.

Adolescent

Treatment of posttransplant lymphocele with povidone-iodine sclerosis: long-term follow-up.

Percutaneous transcatheter sclerosis with iodate-povidone has been proposed as a treatment of posttransplant lymphocele. We treated 19 lymphoceles with iodate-povidone, 10 of them totally resolved and 6 promptly recurred. Three recurrences were treated conservatively and in 3 the treatment was repeated with success. Therefore, we have a low recurrence and retreatment rate. Our total resolution rate was 100%. Complications due to the treatment were rare. In the long term no patient has developed any renal or perirenal complication related to iodine sclerosis. We conclude that iodine sclerosis is a safe and effective treatment of posttransplant lymphocele. We think that surgical procedures must be reserved to collections adjacent to renal hilum or inaccessible for safe puncturing.

Follow-Up Studies

Evolution of serum erythropoietin after androgen administration to hemodialysis patients: a prospective study.

A prospective study of the evolution of serum erythropoietin level after androgen therapy was carried out in a group of 25 male patients on chronic hemodialysis treatment with nonferropenic anemia (serum ferritin > 50 ng/ml). The androgen used was nandrolone decanoate (200 mg/week intramuscularly, for 6 months). There was an increase of serum erythropoietin, that reached statistical significance in the 2nd week of treatment (8.6 +/- 6.4 vs. 14.2 +/- 9.8 mIU/ml, p < 0.05), and a stabilization after 1 month (1 month: 17.8 +/- 11.2 mIU/ml, 6 months: 19.6 +/- 14.9 mIU/ml). The hemoglobin also experienced a parallel increase to that observed in serum erythropoietin (basal value: 8 +/- 0.9 g/dl; at 1 month postandrogen: 9.2 +/- 1.3 g/dl, p < 0.001; at 6 months: 10.7 +/- 1.8 g/dl, p < 0.001). According to their response of serum erythropoietin the patients were divided into responders (15 patients) and nonresponders (10 patients). There were no differences between them concerning age, basal levels of serum erythropoietin and hemoglobin, and dose of nandrolone decanoate in relation to body weight. The evolution of hemoglobin was similar in both groups, and a correlation between serum erythropoietin and hemoglobin was not observed in the responder group. Fourteen patients were studied after androgen was discontinued. The serum erythropoietin returned to basal levels 6 weeks after the last dose of nandrolone decanoate (7.7 +/- 5.4 mIU/ml). However, hemoglobin was above the basal levels 16 weeks after discontinuing androgen (9.5 +/- 1.1 g/dl, p < 0.05), with no differences between the responder and nonresponder group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged

Impairment of tubular secretion of urate in renal transplant patients on cyclosporine.

The prevalence of hyperuricemia was investigated in 214 kidney allograft recipients, 81 were on azathioprine and steroids and 133 on cyclosprine (CyA) and low-dose steroids or on triple therapy. All had stable renal function, serum creatinine < 2.5 mg/dl, and a follow-up between 12 and 120 months. At the time of the study, blood and urine samples were obtained to perform tests of renal function. The renal handling of urate was evaluated by a combined pyrazinamide and probenecid test in 35 selected patients (12 normouricemic on azathioprine, 9 normouricemic on CyA and 14 hyperuricemic on CyA). The prevalence of hyperuricemia was higher in the group of patients on CyA (19.7 vs. 66.9%, p < 0.001), as well as the concentration of serum urate (6.1 +/- 1.9 vs. 7.6 +/- 1.7, p < 0.001), and serum creatinine (1.2 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.4, p < 0.001). In patients on CyA, multivariate analysis showed that the most important predictive variables of hyperuricemia were: serum creatinine, FEurate, diuretic use and CyA blood levels (r = 0.73, p < 0.0001). Thirteen patients on CyA (9.9%) had at least one episode of gouty arthritis. Those patients were older than the hyperuricemic patients without gout (45.7 +/- 6.7 vs. 37.1 +/- 13.5 years, p < 0.01), had worse renal function (serum creatinine 1.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.4 mg/dl, p < 0.01), and higher prevalence of hypertension (100 vs. 63.1%, p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Improvement of erythropoietin-induced hypertension in hemodialysis patients changing the administration route.

The aim of the present study has been to assess whether the administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) by the subcutaneous (sc) route improves blood pressure control of dialysis patients with erythropoietin-induced hypertension. We have selected 13 hemodialysis patients who have remained hypertensive after more than one year of i.v. rHuEPO treatment (mean 22 +/- 8 months, range 12-35 months). Hematocrit, rHuEPO dose, predialysis mean arterial pressure and antihypertensive drug dosage had remained constant during the last six months. These patients were switched to sc administration of rHuEPO thrice weekly, with reduction of rHuEPO dose by one third (from 149 +/- 56 to 98 +/- 53 IU/kg/week). Concomitantly, predialysis mean arterial pressure significantly decreased (113.1 +/- 7.8 during the last month of i.v. administration vs 107.8 +/- 9.8 during the first month of sc administration, p < 0.05, and 105.5 +/- 5.2 mmHg at six months, p < 0.05), without relevant changes in hematocrit. After six months of sc administration, 5 patients remained normotensive without drugs and 6 out of the remaining 8 patients required antihypertensive drugs at lower doses. Administration of rHuEPO by sc route decreases dose requirements and improves blood pressure control in hypertensive patients when treated by i.v. route.

Adult